Ultrasensitive multiplexed immunoassay with electrochemical stripping analysis of silver nanoparticles catalytically deposited by gold nanoparticles and enzymatic reaction

A novel ultrasensitive multiplexed immunoassay method was developed by combining alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-labeled antibody functionalized gold nanoparticles (ALP-Ab/Au NPs) and enzyme-Au NP catalyzed deposition of silver nanoparticles at a disposable immunosensor array. The immunosensor array was prepared by covalently immobilizing capture antibodies on chitosan modified screen-printed carbon electrodes. After sandwich-type immunoreactions, the ALP-Ab/Au NPs were captured on an immunosensor surface to catalyze the hydrolysis of 3-indoxyl phosphate, which produced an indoxyl intermediate to reduce Ag(+). The silver deposition process was catalyzed by both ALP and Au NPs, which amplified the detection signal. The deposited silver was then measured by anodic stripping analysis in KCl solution. Using human and mouse IgG as model analytes, this multiplexed immunoassay method showed wide linear ranges over 4 orders of magnitude with the detection limits down to 4.8 and 6.1 pg/mL, respectively. Acceptable assay results for practical samples could be obtained. The newly designed strategy avoided cross talk and the need of deoxygenation for the electrochemical immunoassay and, thus, provided a promising potential in clinical applications.