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Published on: June 14, 2018
Recent Advances in Electrochemical and Optical Biosensors Designed for Detection of Interleukin 6
Munezza Ata Khan1,2, Mohammad Mujahid1,3
1School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences & Technology, H-12, 44000 Islamabad, Pakistan.
Insights
This review details Interleukin 6 (IL-6) biosensors for early disease detection. It highlights electrochemical and optical methods for sensitive IL-6 monitoring, crucial for diagnosing various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is vital for homeostasis and immunity but linked to diseases when upregulated.
- Early detection of IL-6 is crucial for prognosis of life-threatening conditions.
- Biosensors offer real-time, high-fidelity monitoring of IL-6 levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pleiotropic role and clinical significance of IL-6.
- To critically analyze current detection schemes for quantitative IL-6 analysis.
- To evaluate signal amplification strategies in electrochemical and optical biosensors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on IL-6 biosensors.
- Analysis of electrochemical and fluorescence-based detection techniques.
- Assessment of signal amplification strategies and sensor performance.
Main Results:
- Electrochemical and optical biosensors offer high specificity, ultra-sensitivity, and wide dynamic range.
- Integrated electronics enhance signal-to-noise ratio in biosensing platforms.
- Various signal amplification strategies improve detection limits for IL-6.
Conclusions:
- Electrochemical and optical biosensors show promise for reliable and sensitive IL-6 detection.
- Further development is needed to ensure feasibility for commercial applications.
- Real-time IL-6 monitoring via biosensors can significantly aid early disease prognosis.
Abstract:
Interleukin 6 (IL-6), being a major component of homeostasis, immunomodulation, and hematopoiesis, manifests multiple pathological conditions when upregulated in response to viral, microbial, carcinogenic, or autoimmune stimuli. High fidelity immunosensors offer real-time monitoring of IL-6 and facilitate early prognosis of life-threatening diseases. Different approaches to augment robustness and enhance overall performance of biosensors have been demonstrated over the past few years. Electrochemical- and fluorescence-based detection methods with integrated electronics have been subjects of intensive research due to their ability to offer a better signal-to-noise ratio, high specificity, ultra-sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. In this review, the pleiotropic role of IL-6 and its clinical significance is discussed in detail, followed by detection schemes devised so far for their quantitative analysis. A critical review on underlying signal amplification strategies and performance of electrochemical and optical biosensors is presented. In conclusion, we discuss the reliability and feasibility of the proposed detection technologies for commercial applications.

