Analysis of cell surface antigens by Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is most commonly used to measure bio-molecular interactions. SPR is used significantly less frequent for measuring whole cell interactions. Here we introduce a method to measure whole cells label free using the specific binding of cell surface antigens expressed on the surface of cancer cells and specific ligands deposited on sensor chips using an IBIS MX96 SPR imager (SPRi). As a model system, cells from the breast cancer cell line HS578T, SKBR3 and MCF7 were used. SPRi responses to Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) antibody and other ligands coated on the sensor chips were measured. SPR curves show a response attributable to the sedimentation of the cells and a specific binding response on top of the initial response, the magnitude of which is dependent on the ligand density and the cell type used. Comparison of SPRi with flow cytometry showed similar EpCAM expression on MCF7, SKBR3 and HS578T cells

Nucleic acid detection with surface plasmon resonance using cationic latex

An affinity sensor based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) was used to detect nucleic acids. SPR is an optical technique that is able to detect small changes in the refractive index of the immediate vicinity of a metal surface. After a specific amplification of DNA, achieved using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), detection was accomplished through the application of latex particle intermediates. The assay was based on the inhibition of latex particle adsorption to a metal surface by DNA. The amount of latex present determined the sensitivity of the inhibition assay. The adsorption behaviour of latex particles at a gold surface was investigated using SPR. The parameters that played an important role in this adsorption were ionic strength and pH

Signal amplification on planar and gel-type sensor surfaces in surface plasmon resonance-based detection of prostate-specific antigen

This article describes surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), comparing amplification with colloidal gold (10 nm diameter) and latex microspheres (120 nm diameter) on planar- and gel-type sensor surfaces. As matrix, 3% BSA in PBS was used. Experimental data were compared with model calculations that predict the SPR signal that results from covering of the different sensor surfaces with each of the particles used. Amplification with latex particles gave a higher signal than did that with colloidal gold. However, the limit of detection (LOD) attained by latex amplification was not as good as that obtained after gold amplification, and this was unexpected. LOD and sensitivity of the amplified PSA assays when performed with the planar-type sensor disc were equally good or better compared with those when performed with the gel-type sensor disc. Indirect evidence indicates a restricted accessibility of the gel layer on the gel-type sensor toward the colloidal gold. Application of colloidal gold led to a sensitivity increase of approximately three orders of magnitude compared with nonamplified detection. The corresponding LOD was approximately 0.15 ng PSA/ml, which is sufficient for measuring enhanced, clinically relevant PSA levels (>4 ng/ml)