Electrochemical Detection of NT-proBNP Using a Metalloimmunoassay on a Paper Electrode Platform

In this paper, we demonstrate an electrochemical method for detection of the heart failure biomarker, N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The approach is based on a paper electrode assembly and a metalloimmunoassay; it is intended for eventual integration into a home-use sensor. Sensing of NT-proBNP relies on the formation of a sandwich immunoassay and electrochemical quantification of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) labels attached to the detection antibodies (Abs). There are four important outcomes reported in this article. First, compared to physisorption of the detection Abs on the AgNP labels, a 27-fold increase in signal is observed when a heterobifunctional cross-linker is used to facilitate this labeling. Second, the assay is selective in that it does not cross-react with other cardiac natriuretic peptides. Third, the assay forms in undiluted human serum (though the electrochemical analysis is carried out in buffer). Finally, and most important, the assay is able to detect NT-proBNP at concentrations between 0.58 and 2.33 nM. This performance approaches the critical NT-proBNP concentration threshold often used by physicians for risk stratification purposes: ∼0.116 nM.