Evaluation of Preferential Cytokine Adsorption onto Biosensing Surface Modified with Glycopolymer

For the improvement of biosensor performance, the development of a molecular recognition material as well as a sensor platform is necessary. A glycopolymer is a molecular recognition material capable of recognizing specific proteins as natural glycans. However, the target molecules for biosensors using glycopolymers are limited to lectins that are already known for their specific interactions with glycan residues. The aim of this study is to investigate a glycopolymer-modified (GM) surface capable of recognizing non-lectin proteins. As non-lectin proteins, we focused on cytokines, in which the interaction preference to glycopolymers is unknown. The cytokine adsorption onto the GM surfaces was evaluated using a surface plasmon resonance imaging technique as a biosensing tool. Differences in cytokine adsorption onto the different glycan residues were revealed, which will be important for selective cytokine detection. This study indicates the possibility of a biosensing surface modified with glycopolymers for the detection of non-lectin proteins. The results are beneficial for expanding the use of glycopolymers as a molecular recognition material for future applications such as cell analysis and diagnostic devices.