Method for Electrochemical Detection of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Plasma

Abstract

Currently, a blood test for the diagnosis of endometriosis, a common estrogen-dependent gynecological disease, does not exist. Recent studies suggest that circulating concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have potential for the diagnosis of endometriosis. However, at present, BDNF can only be measured by ELISA, which requires a clinic visit, a routine blood sample, and laboratory testing. Therefore, we developed a point-of-care device (EndoChip) for use with small blood volumes that can be collected through a finger prick. Specifically, the presented device is a polymer-based chip with a nanoporous, wrinkled gold film acting as the electrode/sensing layer, allowing for the electrochemical detection of BDNF in plasma. Increasing concentrations of BDNF (0.1-2.0 ng/mL) induced significant differences in redox current. The biosensor produces a signal readout in a matter of seconds, and is ideal for realizing multiplexing. Blood samples were collected from women ( n = 20) with chronic pelvic pain undergoing a diagnostic laparoscopy. Plasma BDNF concentrations measured by commercial ELISA were positively correlated ( r = 0.8033; p < 0.001) with results from the EndoChip. Our results demonstrate a quick and reliable method for point-of-care quantification of circulating concentrations of BDNF and a promising diagnostic tool for endometriosis.

Looking for an effective and non-invasive diagnostic test for endometriosis: where are we?

“…In line with this research sits a recent article by Bockaj et al (21). In this interesting manuscript, the authors identify the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a possible peripheral diagnostic marker for endometriosis.…”

“…In addition, the authors define an original electrochemical detection technique for the recognition of BDNF from small amounts of peripheral blood, such as those obtained from a finger prick. This innovative method is based on a polymer-based chip with a nanoporous and a wrinkled gold film that acts as an electrode/sensing layer, thus permitting the electrochemical detection of even very small amount of BDNF in a small volume of plasma (21). The authors show that the chip operates in the range needed for the diagnosis of endometriosis (200-2,000 pg/mL) and that this sensitivity is similar to the one reached by conventional ELISA-based methods (21).…”

“…This innovative method is based on a polymer-based chip with a nanoporous and a wrinkled gold film that acts as an electrode/sensing layer, thus permitting the electrochemical detection of even very small amount of BDNF in a small volume of plasma (21). The authors show that the chip operates in the range needed for the diagnosis of endometriosis (200-2,000 pg/mL) and that this sensitivity is similar to the one reached by conventional ELISA-based methods (21). This method combines two very important characteristics that a diagnostic test for endometriosis should have: high sensitivity and the ability to use very small amounts of blood collectable even by the patient herself, without the need for venipuncture.…”

Dynamic Bio‐Barcode Assay Enables Electrochemical Detection of a Cancer Biomarker in Undiluted Human Plasma: A Sample‐In‐Answer‐Out Approach

“…Three-dimensional transducers created from the assembly of nanostructured building blocks allow for an increased number of biorecognition probes to be deposited on the electrode surface with amore suitable orientation and spacing for target capture compared to two-dimensional sensing electrodes. [21,22,31,32] Additionally,weexpect the bulky biomo- lecular complexes used in this assay to be accumulated at the electrode surface,m aking it critical to develop strategies for reducing steric hindrance at the surface. [33] As ar esult, we hypothesized that performing the e-biobarcode assay on three-dimensional and nanostructured transducers would enhance the efficiency of interfacial DNAs trand displacement reactions and assay sensitivity.…”

Uncovering Potential Roles of Differentially Expressed Genes, Upstream Regulators, and Canonical Pathways in Endometriosis Using an In Silico Genomics Approach

“…Based on this, a nano-chip-based electrochemical detection technique was developed. The only limitation to this is its non-specificity, as the variations in BDNF expression have been reported in numerous unconnected pathologies [55].…”