Currently, signal enhancement techniques for assays with nanoprobe-based detection are either enzyme-based12, require a second set of nanoparticles to target the detection nanoprobes21 or, in the case of staining techniques, are limited to the use of AuNPs or AgNPs as detection probes.22 Here, a simple, rapid and enzyme-free method is described for signal enhancement of nanoprobe detection-based assays. With this method, it was possible to enhance the colorimetric signal provided by 4 types of nanoprobes: AuNPs, AgNPs, IONPs and SiNPs.
The observed amplification factor for each set of nanoprobes was of 100-fold, except for the SiNPs where quantification of the enhancement factor was not possible due to lack of pre-enhancement signals. This enhancement factor suggests that the efficiency of the protocol is similar across all types of nanoprobes. Moreover, when the enhancement protocol was carried out on a paper support where a dilution series of a stock AuNPs suspension was printed, it was observed a 10000-fold amplification factor. Previous to enhancement, the visible spots with the lowest number of AuNPs were where approximately 10000 nanoparticles were printed, after enhancement the spots harboring less than 10 nanoparticles became visible.20
The conditions established for the enhancement protocol here presented have allowed taking advantage of the reduction of Au3+ to Au0 for signal improving, while maintaining the background noise to a minimum. The enhancement can be performed right after the assay is performed as well as on microarrays that have been stored for up to several months after the assay was performed. The enhancement solution consists of a 1:1 mixture of solution 1 and solution 2. Both solutions can be previously mixed or directly mixed when pipetted onto the microarray. The difference between pre-mixing or direct mixing affects only the shelf-life of the enhancement solution. When pre-mixed the shelf-life is of 5-7 days increasing to 30-45 days if not pre-mixed.
Further analysis of the results has shown that the enhancement method does not interfere with the quantitative analysis of the biosensor. A linear correlation between the intensity observed and the concentration of the analyte was maintained (Table 1). The data obtained for 4 pre-characterized clinical samples using the glass-based allergen component microarray immunoassay, with standard fluorescence detection and colorimetric detection, showed a good concordance between the two detection methods. Comparing the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and the mean colorimetric intensity (MCI), an average R2 = 0.79 +/- 0.08 was obtained when the data is 10-logged on both axes. This experiment showed that the enhancement method can be applied to a commercial kit if it uses the nanoprobes for detection or can be adapted for nanoprobe-based detection.
The enhancement method efficacy relies on two critical aspects. It is important to assure that the mixture of solution 1 and solution 2 is homogenous. Without a homogenous mixture, the sensor will be in contact with fractions of the enhancement solution where solution 1 or 2 is predominant relative to the other. That will reduce the efficiency of the reduction of Au3+ to Au0, thus damaging the efficiency of the enhancement. It is also important to have the entire area of interest of the microarray in contact with the enhancement solution during the incubation period.
To achieve ultrasensitive enhancement of a signal, a longer incubation time (approximately 5 min) with the enhancement solution will be required. To avoid the development of background noise that can interfere with the signal acquisition, the microarray surface should be previously blocked (e.g. BSA, PEG) to prevent rapid unspecific deposition of Au0 and consequent formation of a gold layer.
A limitation to the enhancement method is the intrinsic efficacy of the assay. The assay requires having negative and positive controls as to ensure that the signal enhancement observed can be attributed to true-positive results. If there is a non-specific interaction of the nanoprobes with the target, signals acquired after enhancement will not be valid.
Other enhancement techniques are based on either nanoparticle aggregation or staining of the nanoparticles with a material that allows improved signal acquisition. By promoting the gathering of the number of nanoparticles at the detection site, the signal acquisition will be possible either visually or UV-Vis measurements.5 These signal enhancement techniques rely on a two-step detection system, the initial detection of the analyte of interest and a second step where the reporter is required to bind to the initial detection construct. Such strategies lack universality due to the requirement of specific enhancement protocol optimization for each type of assay.
The staining enhancement techniques, such as silver staining, much like the protocol here presented, allow the direct enhancement of the signal detection constructs. However, unlike the protocol that is shown here, silver staining has only been shown to be applied to either AuNPs or AgNPs.6,7,8,9
The applicability of this method could likely span any assay that uses AuNPs, AgNPs, IONPs or SiNPs as detection agents. Further work is being carried out to study the application of the method in sensors consisting of other materials.