Microfluidic On-chip Capture-cycloaddition Reaction to Reversibly Immobilize Small Molecules or Multi-component Structures for Biosensor Applications

Summary

We present a method for rapid, reversible immobilization of small molecules and functionalized nanoparticle assemblies for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) studies, using sequential on-chip bioorthogonal cycloaddition chemistry and antibody-antigen capture.

Abstract

Methods for rapid surface immobilization of bioactive small molecules with control over orientation and immobilization density are highly desirable for biosensor and microarray applications. In this Study, we use a highly efficient covalent bioorthogonal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) to enable the microfluidic immobilization of TCO/Tz-derivatized molecules. We monitor the process in real-time under continuous flow conditions using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To enable reversible immobilization and extend the experimental range of the sensor surface, we combine a non-covalent antigen-antibody capture component with the cycloaddition reaction. By alternately presenting TCO or Tz moieties to the sensor surface, multiple capture-cycloaddition processes are now possible on one sensor surface for on-chip assembly and interaction studies of a variety of multi-component structures. We illustrate this method with two different immobilization experiments on a biosensor chip; a small molecule, AP1497 that binds FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12); and the same small molecule as part of an immobilized and in situ-functionalized nanoparticle.

Introduction

Efficient conjugation reactions are valuable tools for attaching bioactive molecules to surfaces for a variety of biotechnology applications. Recently, the very fast bioorthogonal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) has been used to label cell surfaces, subcellular structures, antibodies and nanoparticles.^1-7 Here, we use the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction in combination with antigen/antibody capture (GST/anti-GST) for reversible on-chip synthesis of multi-component structures for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) interaction analysis and monitor the process in real-time (Figure 1).^8,9 Notably, the capture-cycloaddition strategy enables surface regeneration using an established protocol.⁸ As a consequence, assembly of stable sensor surfaces with control over ligand orientation and density for variety of new assay formats is now possible. Using this strategy we demonstrate the immobilization of TCO/Tz-derivatized small molecules and characterize the cycloaddition rates in a variety of buffer conditions. We chose the well-known interaction between FKBP12 and a molecule AP1497 that binds FKBP12^10-12 as an example to verify that the capture-cycloaddition strategy preserves the ability of the small molecule to interact with its target when either directly attached to immobilized GST antigens or to immobilized nanoparticles (NPs).

This method offers several benefits. First, the reversible immobilization of small molecules on sensor chips is now possible. Second, TCO/Tz immobilization of small molecules also enables label-free interaction studies that reverse the orientation of canonical SPR studies, and may provide a complementary view of a binding interaction. Third, this method enables the microfluidic synthesis of targeted nanoparticles, and immediate evaluation of their binding properties. This promises to improve the efficiency of evaluating or screening targeted nanoparticles, and also decrease the amounts of nanoparticles required.^13-15 Fourth, this approach can measure the reaction kinetics of bioorthogonal cycloaddition reactions in real-time under continuous flow. Finally, the TCO/Tz immobilization chemistry is robust in the presence of serum. Taken together, we anticipate that this versatile approach will broadly facilitate construction of stable sensor surfaces for a wide variety of microfluidic studies with relevance to in vitro and in vivo cellular applications.

Protocol

1. Preparation of GST and Nanoparticle (NP) Conjugates

1. GST-TCO preparation:
   1. Add 8 μl of TCO-NHS solution (50 mM in DMSO) to 100 μl of GST (1 mg/ml in PBS) and shake mixture at RT for 1 hr.
   2. Remove excess reagent using a Zeba spin desalting column. The recovered filtrate containing the GST-TCO conjugate is stored at 4 °C prior to use.
2. GST-Tz preparation:
   1. Add 6 μl of Tz-NHS solution (25 mM in DMF) to 75 μl of GST (1 mg/ml in PBS) and shake mixture at RT for 1 hr.
   2. Dilute the reaction mixture with 25 μl of PBS and purify using a spin desalting column. The filtrate containing the GST-Tz conjugate is stored at 4 °C prior to use.
   Note: Mass analyses (MALDI-TOF) showed that on average ~10 Tz or TCO molecules were conjugated to GST.
3. NP-TCO preparation:
   1. Add 100 μl of TCO-NHS solution (50 mM in DMSO) to 150 μl of aminated nanoparticle (NP-NH₂, 8.7 mg Fe/ml in PBS, 3 nm iron core ~8,000 Fe/NP) and shake mixture at RT for 1 hr.
   2. Remove excess reagent by gel filtration using a NAP-10 column eluted with PBS buffer. Collect the colored band containing the NP-TCO product.
   3. Concentrate the filtrate to a final volume of ~150 μl using a centrifugal filter device (100 k MWCO).
   4. Add 50 μl of succinic anhydride, (0.1 M in DMSO) to the NP-TCO solution and shake at RT for 1 hr (anhydride reacts with any remaining amines to form terminal carboxylic acids. This prevents nonspecific interactions with the dextran surface).
   5. Purify the NP-TCO product using a NAP-10 column eluting with PBS. Store the solution of NP-TCO at 4 °C prior to use.

2. Surface Preparation

All surface plasmon resonance assays are performed on a Biacore T100 instrument (GE Healthcare) at 25 °C using a CM5 sensor chip and PBS-P as the running buffer unless otherwise noted. Biacore Control and Evaluation software supplied with the instrument are employed for setting up experiments and analyzing data. Two modes of operation, application wizards and manual run will be used for surface preparation and monitoring on-chip capture-cycloaddition. The method builder mode will be used for setting up reverse orientation binding experiments and for measuring cycloaddition reaction rates. Data are double reference subtracted and kinetic analyses are performed using a 1:1 Langmuir binding model.

1. Use the amine immobilization wizard template and select immobilization on Flow cells 1 (reference) and 2 (detection). Modify amine method to activate surface carboxylic groups by injection of a 1:1 solution of 0.4 M EDC: 0.1 M NHS for 480 sec at a flow rate of 10 μl/min. Set the injection of ethanolamine to quench remaining activated esters to 420 sec contact time at a flow rate of 10 μl/min.
2. Input ligand name, anti-GST (18 μg/ml in acetate buffer, pH 5.0) and set to inject for a contact time of 420 sec at a flow rate of 10 μl/min.
3. Place required solution vials in reagent rack 2 making sure to match the positions with the content list. Save and start immobilization.
   Note: Running the immobilization wizard in this manner results in anti-GST immobilization levels in the range of ~14,000 to 17,000 RU.
4. Edit the immobilization wizard to only inject GST ligand (20 μg/ml) solution for 420 sec at 5 μl/min over reference Flow cell 1.

3. Monitoring On-chip Capture-cycloaddition of Functionalized Molecules

1. Monitoring on-chip capture-cycloaddition in real-time (Figure 2).
   1. Place GST-TCO (20 μg/ml), Tz-BnNH₂ (10 μM) and regeneration (10 mM glycine, pH = 2.0) solution vials in reagent rack 2. Select the manual run method, set the flow rate to 5 μl/min and flow path to Flow cell 2.
   2. Inject solution of GST-TCO for 420 sec.
   3. Inject solution of Tz-BnNH₂ for 600 sec.
   4. Regenerate the surface with two 30 sec injections of regeneration solution.
2. Monitoring on-chip assembly of multi-component structures in real-time (Figure 3):
   1. Place GST-Tz (20 μg/ml), NP-TCO (100 μg Fe/ml), Tz-BnNH₂ (10 μM) and regeneration (10 mM glycine, pH = 2.0) solution vials in reagent rack 2. Select the instrument manual run method, set the flow rate to 5 μl/min and the flow path to Flow cell 2.
   2. Inject a solution of GST-Tz for 60 sec.
   3. Inject a solution of NP-TCO for 60 sec.
   4. Inject a solution of Tz-BnNH₂ for 60 sec.
   5. Regenerate the surface with two 30 sec injections of regeneration solution.

4. Monitoring Immobilization Density and Determination of Cycloaddition Rates

1. Characterization of small molecule cycloaddition reaction rates (Figure 4).
   1. Select new method and input general parameters. In the assay steps panel create a new step and name it Sample. Set the Purpose and Connect base settings to Sample.
   2. In the Cycle Types panel Create a new cycle step and insert the following commands; Capture, Sample, Regeneration 1 and Regeneration 2.
   3. Select the Capture command; input ligand name (GST-TCO, 20 μg/ml), contact time 120 sec at 5 μl/min and set flow path to: Second. Select the Sample command; input 180 sec contact time, 60 sec dissociation time, 30 μl/min flow rate and set flow path to: Both. Select the Regeneration 1 command; input regeneration solution name (10 mM glycine-HCl pH 2.0), contact time of 30 sec at 30 μl/min and set flow path to: Second. Repeat the same for Regeneration 2 command.
   4. Select Setup Run and set flow path to: 2-1. Select next and fill sample list with analyte solution (Tz-BnNH₂) and concentration series (0.3-10 μM, 1:2 dilution). Select next to rack position panel. Place solution vials in reagent rack 2 and dilution series in 96-well plate making sure to match the positions with the content list. Save method template and start binding assay. Binding data and kinetic analysis are shown in Figure 4.
2. Characterization of NP cycloaddition reaction rates (Figure 4).
   1. Open the saved method template from above and change the following parameters. Select the Capture panel; change ligand name to GST-Tz, 20 μg/ml. Select the Sample panel; change contact time to 120 sec contact time and dissociation time to 120 sec.
   2. Select the sample list; change analyte to NP-TCO and concentration series (7 to 224 nM, 1:2 dilution). Place solution vials in reagent rack 2 and dilution series in 96-well plate making sure to match the positions with the content list. Save method template and start binding assay. Binding data and kinetic analysis are shown in Figure 4.

5. Measuring the Binding of FKBP12 to Immobilized AP1497

Reversed-orientation binding studies employ FKBP12 as the analyte and compound AP1497 as immobilized ligand (Figure 5). The general method for this assay is set up as follows using the method builder tool:

1. Select new method and input general parameters. In the assay steps panel create and name Capture, Sample and Regeneration steps. Select corresponding Purpose and Connect base settings.
2. Select Cycle Types panel and create 3 cycle steps: Capture, Sample and Regeneration.
3. Insert the Capture command twice under Capture cycle step. Select the Capture 1 panel and select capture solution as variable, set contact time to 300 sec at a flow rate of 5 μl/min and set flow path to: Second. Select the Capture 2 panel and select capture solution as variable, set contact time to 250 sec at a flow rate of 5 μl/min and set flow path to: Second.
4. Insert the Sample command under the Sample cycle step. Select the Sample panel; set contact time to 60 sec, dissociation time to 200 sec at a flow rate of 30 μl/min and set flow path to: Both.
5. Insert the Regeneration command twice under the Regeneration cycle step. Select the Regeneration 1 panel; input regeneration solution name (10 mM glycine-HCl pH 2.0), contact time of 30 sec at 30 μl/min and set flow path to: Second. Repeat the same for the Regeneration 2 panel.
6. Select Setup Run and set flow path to: 2-1. Select next and input capture solution names (GST-TCO and AP1497-Tz), sample name (FKBP12), concentration series (0.020 to 5 μg/ml, 1:2 dilution) and MW (13,000). Place solution vials in reagent rack 2 and dilution series in 96-well plate making sure to match the positions with the content list. Save method template and start binding assay. Kinetic analysis data are shown in Figure 5.

6. Measuring the Binding of FKBP12 to AP1497 Attached to Immobilized NPs

The general method for nanoparticle immobilization, small molecule derivatization and FKBP12 binding assay is set-up as follows using the method builder tool:

1. Open the saved method template from above and modify. Insert an additional Capture command under Capture cycle step. Select the Capture 1 panel; deselect capture solution as variable and name capture solution 1 (GST-Tz). Set contact time to 60 sec at a flow rate of 5 μl/min and set flow path to Second. Select the Capture 2 panel; deselect capture solution as variable and name capture solution 2 (NP-TCO). Set contact time to 90 sec at a flow rate of 5 μl/min and set flow path to second. Select the Capture 3 panel; deselect capture solution as variable and name capture solution 3 (AP1497-Tz). Set contact time to 180 sec at a flow rate of 5 μl/min and set flow path to Second.
2. Select Setup Run and set flow path to: 2-1. Select next twice. Place solution vials in reagent rack 2 and dilution series in 96-well plate making sure to match the positions with the content list. Save method template and start binding assay. Kinetic analysis data are shown in Figure 5.

Results

Data and figures have been adapted from reference 8.

Efficient reversible immobilization of bioactive small molecules with control over orientation and density plays a key role in development of new biosensor applications. Using the fast bioorthogonal reaction between TCO and Tz, we describe a method for the stepwise assembly and regeneration of ligand surfaces with retention of biological activity. Figure 2 shows the real-time monitoring of Tz-BnNH₂ immobil...

Discussion

The capture-cycloaddition method described here enables rapid, reversible immobilization of modified nanoparticles and small molecules for label-free chip-based interaction and kinetic studies. The immobilization protocol can be performed in minutes requiring <10 μM concentrations of small-molecule ligands. By modulating ligand concentration and contact time immobilization densities can be closely controlled. Our data show that on-chip bioorthogonal reactions preserve the ability of in situ functionaliz...

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Reagent
Sensor Chip CM5	GE Healthcare	BR-1005-30
Amine coupling kit	GE Healthcare	BR-1000-50
GST capture kit	GE Healthcare	BR-1002-23
NAP-10 Columns	GE Healthcare	17-0854-01
GST, lyophilized in 1X PBS	Genscript	Z02039	1 mg/ml
rhFKBP12	R&D Systems	3777-FK
Surfactant P-20	GE Healthcare	BR-1000-54
Glycine 2.0	GE Healthcare	BR-1003-55
Zeba spin desalting column	Thermo	89882	7 K MWCO
Amicon Ultra 4	Fisher	UFC810096	100 K centrifugal filter
TCO-OH	Ref. 8		Synthesized in-house
TCO-NHS	Ref. 8		Synthesized in-house, *Commercially available from Click Chemistry Tools # 1016-25
Tz-BnNH2	Ref. 8		Synthesized in-house
Tz-NHS	Ref. 8	764701	Synthesized in-house, *Commercially available from Sigma Aldrich # 764701
NP-NH2 = CLIO-NH2	Ref. 8		Synthesized in-house
AP1497, AP1497-Tz	Ref. 8		Synthesized in-house
Equipment
SPR Biosensor	GE Healthcare	Biacore T100