title: Label-free and dynamic evaluation of cell-surface epidermal growth factor receptor expression via an electrochemiluminescence cytosensor.
abstract: A label-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) cytosensor was developed for dynamically evaluating of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression on MCF-7 cancer cells based on the specific recognition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) with its receptor (EGFR). EGF-cytosensor was fabricated by in-situ electro-polymerization of polyaniline as substrate, using CdS quantum dots (CdS QDs) as ECL probe and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a carrier for loading of EGF. AuNPs and CdS QDs were jointly attached on polyaniline surface to provide a sensitive and stable sensing interface, as well as a simple and label-free mode for ECL assay. Electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical methods were employed to characterize the multilayer construction process of the sensing interface. The proposed EGF-cytosensor exhibited excellent analytical performance for MCF-7 cancer cells, ranging from 12 to 1.2 × 10(6) cells mL(-1), with a low detection limit of 12 cells mL(-1). Also, it was successfully applied in evaluating EGFR expression of cells surface, which was stimulated by some inhibitors or activator, and the results were confirmed by using flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis. The proposed ECL cytosensor has potential applications in monitoring the dynamic variation of receptor molecules expression on cell surfaces in response to external stimulation by drugs and screening anti-cancer therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: 1376261230@qq.com.
authors.forename: Youyi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: tppwqq1022@163.com.
authors.forename: Qingqing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: 625527101@qq.com.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: typh@jnu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Peihui
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D061848:Optical Imaging; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; C034939:cadmium sulfide; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006046:Gold; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: Electrochemiluminescence cytosensor; Epidermal growth factor; Label-free; Receptor molecules; Resveratrol; Silymarin