title: Immunoassay for LMP1 in nasopharyngeal tissue based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is closely associated with the occurrence and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and can be used as a tumor marker in screening for the disease. Here we report a new methodology based on highly specific and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology to detect LMP1 in nasopharyngeal tissue sections directly with no need of tedious procedures as with conventional immunohistochemistry methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  LMP1-functionalized 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA)-labeled Au/Ag core-shell bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared first and then applied for analyzing LMP1 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded nasopharyngeal tissue sections obtained from 34 cancer patients and 20 healthy controls. SERS spectra were acquired from a 25 × 25 spot square area on each tissue section and used to generate SERS images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from SERS spectra and images show that this new SERS-based immunoassay detected LMP1 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded nasopharyngeal tissue sections with high sensitivity and specificity. The results from the new LMP1-SERS probe method are superior to those of conventional immunohistochemistry staining for LMP1, and in excellent agreement with those of in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new SERS technique has the potential to be developed into a new clinical tool for detection and differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma as well as for predicting metastasis and immune-targeted treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department of Fujian Provincial Tumor Hospital, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yanping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiongwei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Weifeng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Shangyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Gangqin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fenghua
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Haishan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000821:virology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins