title: Sensing of EGTA Mediated Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Transistor.
abstract: Barrier tissue protects the body against external factors by restricting the passage of molecules. The gastrointestinal epithelium is an example of barrier tissue with the primary purpose of allowing the passage of ions and nutrients, while restricting the passage of pathogens and toxins. It is well known that the loss of barrier function can be instigated by a decrease in extracellular calcium levels, leading to changes in protein conformation and an increase in paracellular transport. In this study, ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra acetic acid (EGTA), a calcium chelator, was used to disrupt the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier. The effect of EGTA on barrier tissue was monitored by a novel label-free method based on an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) integrated with living cells and validated against conventional methods for measuring barrier tissue integrity. We demonstrate that the OECT can detect breaches in barrier tissue upon exposure to EGTA with the same sensitivity as existing methods but with increased temporal resolution. Due to the potential of low cost processing techniques and the flexibility in design associated with organic electronics, the OECT has great potential for high-throughput, disposable sensing and diagnostics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, CMP-EMSE, MOC 880 Rue de Mimet, Gardanne 13541, France.
authors.forename: Scherrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tria
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, CMP-EMSE, MOC 880 Rue de Mimet, Gardanne 13541, France.
authors.forename: Leslie H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Jimison
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, CMP-EMSE, MOC 880 Rue de Mimet, Gardanne 13541, France.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hama
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, CMP-EMSE, MOC 880 Rue de Mimet, Gardanne 13541, France.
authors.forename: Manuelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioelectronics, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, CMP-EMSE, MOC 880 Rue de Mimet, Gardanne 13541, France.
authors.forename: Róisín M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Owens
keywords: EGTA; barrier tissue; biosensing; organic bioelectronics; organic electrochemical transistor; paracellular transport; tight junctions; toxicology