Superior performance of liposomes over enzymatic amplification in a high-throughput assay for myoglobin in human serum

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2013 May;405(12):4017-26. doi: 10.1007/s00216-013-6807-3. Epub 2013 Feb 27.

Abstract

Myoglobin is one of several cardiac markers which become elevated in the blood following an acute myocardial infarction and can aid in the diagnosis of a heart attack. Here, a sandwich immunoassay for myoglobin was developed, including a thorough optimization of fluorescent dye-encapsulating liposomes versus enzymatic amplification (alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase) at each step. The optimized microtiter plate-based assay was capable of detecting as low as 11.3 pg/mL myoglobin and was successfully applied for the quantification of myoglobin in human serum. In comparison to enzymatic approaches, the liposomes demonstrated lower limits of detection, significantly reduced limits of quantification, improved signal discrimination through substantial signal enhancement, and reduced assay time. Liposomes were stable and functional at ambient temperatures for over 400 days. Finally, ease of use was greater due to lack of reliance on additional reagents, non-time-based signal enhancement, and excellent photostability. Optimal conditions identified for enzymatic approaches can also be used for liposome amplification, which makes substitution of these liposomes into existing assays straightforward. Thus, the extensive studies carried out here suggest that liposomes may be incorporated into formats currently utilizing enzymatic enhanced fluorescence with a potential for increased performance on various levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescent Dyes / administration & dosage*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / analysis
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Myoglobin / blood*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Liposomes
  • Myoglobin