Cyclodextrin-integrated molecularly imprinted polymer-based QCM sensor for sensitive, label-free detection of Gal3

Area of Science:

• Biomarker Detection
• Biosensor Technology
• Cardiovascular Diagnostics

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is a global health challenge with high mortality.
• Elevated Galectin-3 (Gal3) serum levels are a key biomarker for HF detection and progression.
• Current diagnostic methods require rapid, sensitive, and straightforward Gal3 detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative, label-free quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor for Galectin-3 (Gal3) detection.
• To enable early diagnosis and monitoring of heart failure (HF).

Main Methods:

• Utilized a QCM sensor with hexakis-(6-mercapto-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin (mCD) for oriented Gal3 template immobilization.
• Employed a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) synthesized via electropolymerization of poly-aniline-3-carboxylic acid (ANI3C) for specific Gal3 detection.
• Optimized sensor conditions and evaluated performance using imprinting factor (IF) and dissociation constant (K_D).

Main Results:

• The MIP-based QCM sensor showed a high imprinting factor (IF) of 4.71 and a low dissociation constant (K_D) of 2.03 nM, indicating strong Gal3 binding affinity.
• Achieved a linear detection range of 1-30 ng/mL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.08 ng/mL and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3.61 ng/mL.
• Demonstrated excellent accuracy, precision, and no interference, successfully detecting Gal3 in human serum samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed label-free QCM sensor provides a sensitive and specific method for Gal3 detection.
• This technology holds significant potential for the early diagnosis and monitoring of heart failure (HF).