Rapid Slow Off-Rate Modified Aptamer (SOMAmer)-Based Detection of C-Reactive Protein Using Isotachophoresis and an Ionic Spacer

Anal Chem. 2015 Jul 7;87(13):6736-43. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b00886. Epub 2015 Jun 16.

Abstract

We present an on-chip electrophoretic assay for rapid protein detection with a SOMAmer (Slow Off-Rate Modified Aptamer) reagent. We used isotachophoresis (ITP) coupled with an ionic spacer to both react and separate SOMAmer-protein complex from free SOMAmer reagent. ITP accelerates the reaction kinetics as the ionic spacer concurrently separates the reaction products. We developed a numerical and analytical model to describe ITP spacer assays, which involve low-mobility, nonfocusing targets that are recruited into the ITP zone by higher-mobility, ITP-focused probes. We demonstrated a proof-of-concept of this assay using C-reactive protein (CRP) in buffer, and achieved a 2 nM limit of detection (LOD) with a combined 20 min assay time (10 min off-chip preparation of reagents and 10 min on-chip run). Our findings suggest that this approach has potential as a simple and rapid alternative to other homogeneous immunoassays. We also explore the extension of this assay to a diluted serum sample spiked with CRP, where we observe decreased sensitivity (an LOD of 25 nM in 20-fold diluted serum). We describe the challenges in extending this assay to complex samples and achieving higher sensitivity and specificity for clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Ions
  • Isotachophoresis*

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Ions
  • C-Reactive Protein