Electrochemical molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for progressive monitoring of antibody production ex vivo

Dynamic monitoring of antibody production is essential for understanding immune responses. Conventional assays like ELISA offer only static measurements and lack temporal representation. To address this limitation, we developed an electrochemical biosensor using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for rapid, label-free detection of immunoglobulins (IgGs). Our platform enables progressive assessment of IgG production ex vivo through sequential electrochemical measurements. The MIP sensor was fabricated via electropolymerization of o -phenylenediamine and pyrrole in the presence of the Fc fragment of IgG as a template. Selective IgG recognition cavities were formed through combined chemical and electrochemical template removal. An ex vivo platform was established using hybridoma cells encapsulated in hydrogel beads to simulate continuous antibody production over seven days. The sensor detected mouse IgG in the range of 1.56–50 ng/mL with a strong linearity (R 2 = 0.956) and a limit of detection of 1.54 ng/mL, and it also demonstrated the capability to detect IgG in human serum samples. IgG production was progressively monitored in hybridoma culture medium, with temporal trends consistent with ELISA measurements. By Day 7, the ratio of IgG concentration measured by the MIP sensor to that determined by ELISA was approximately 0.95. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the MIP sensor for fast, label-free IgG detection, providing a practical and efficient platform alternative to traditional assays. • An innovative electrochemical MIP sensor enabled dynamic monitoring of IgG ex vivo. • Fc imprinting with pyrrole/o-PD enhanced imprinting efficiency and sensitivity. • A chemical-electrochemical template removal method formed selective cavities. • The sensor showed dose-dependent IgG detection for both mouse and human IgG. • The sensor monitored 7-day IgG secretion dynamics from encapsulated hybridomas.