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Spatially Profiling Trace Cytokine Signatures From Microscopically Derived Skin Samples to Probe Skin Disease
Aditya Krishnakumar1, Zhen Zhang1, Courtney Vedelago1
1Centre For Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian Institute For Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Small Methods
|May 13, 2026
Summary
A new digital surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunoassay enables sensitive detection of key inflammatory cytokines in skin biopsies. This breakthrough aids in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Inflammatory skin diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis) involve immune system dysregulation driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Analyzing low concentrations (pico-scale) of cytokines in small skin samples is challenging with traditional immunoassays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive digital surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunoassay for multiplex cytokine detection in skin biopsies.
- To utilize psoriasis as a model to demonstrate the assay's capability in analyzing cytokine profiles.
Main Methods:
- Development of a SERS immunoassay using nanopillar arrays and SERS nanotags for single-molecule counting.
- Multiplex detection of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), IL-22, IL-23, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).
- Application to microscale skin punch biopsy samples.
Main Results:
- The SERS nanopillar assay achieved high specificity and sensitivity, detecting cytokines down to 104 attomolar (aM).
- Successfully detected cytokines in skin samples with total protein ranging from 13.84 µg down to 0.34 µg.
- Revealed distinct cytokine profiles and differences between lesional and perilesional psoriasis skin.
Conclusions:
- The digital SERS nanopillar assay offers a promising tool for sensitive immunological diagnosis of inflammatory skin diseases.
- This method facilitates cytokine profiling in minimal biopsy samples, supporting therapeutic monitoring.
