Impedimetric biosensor for detection of cancer cells employing carbohydrate targeting ability of Concanavalin A

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 122; pp. 95 - 103
• Main Authors: Chowdhury, Ankan Dutta, Ganganboina, Akhilesh Babu, Park, Enoch Y., Doong, Ruey-an
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 30.12.2018
• Subjects: Biosensing Techniques - methods; biosensors; blood sampling; blood serum; Cancer cell detection; Carbohydrates - analysis; Cell Line; chemical bonding; concanavalin A; Concanavalin A (ConA); Concanavalin A - chemistry; cytotoxicity; early diagnosis; Electric Impedance; electrochemistry; Electrodes; glycoproteins; Glycoproteins - analysis; graphene; Graphene quantum dots (GQDs); Graphite - chemistry; HeLa Cells; Humans; Immobilized Proteins - chemistry; Impedimetric biosensor; iron oxides; Label-free; MCF-7 Cells; mixing; neoplasm cells; neoplasms; Neoplasms - diagnosis; quantitative analysis; quantum dots; Quantum Dots - chemistry; Quantum Dots - ultrastructure; Graphene quantum dots (GQDs); Impedimetric biosensor; Cancer cell detection; Label-free; Concanavalin A (ConA)
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.08.039

The successful development of selective detection of cancer cells from normal cells is a highly demanded but challenging task. Herein, we have developed a rapid and label-free impedimetric biosensor for quantitative determination of cancer cells with high glycoprotein expression. Homogenously distributed 2–9 nm graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was anchored on the surface Fe3O4 through covalent bonding. Concovalin A (ConA) was then adhered onto GQDs by physical mixing to fabricate ConA-GQD@Fe3O4 nanosensing probe. A good dynamic range in the cell concentration of 5 × 102–1 × 105 cells mL-1 with LOD values of 246 and 367 cells mL-1 for HeLa and MCF-7, respectively, is obtained. The impedimetric responses to the cancerous HeLa and MCF-7 cells are 16.7 and 13.1 times higher than those of their original sensor electrodes. However, the interaction between sensing probe and normal MCF-10 and bEnd.3 cells is negligible, confirming the specific selectivity toward cancer cells. Cellular uptake images as well as in-vitro cytotoxicity corroborates the electrochemical results. In addition, the successful detection of cancer cells in human serum and circulating tumor cells in blood sample envisions the feasibility of using ConA-GQD@Fe3O4 as the nanosensing probe for clinically early diagnosis of cancer cells with high glycoprotein expression. •Label-free ConA-GQD@Fe3O4 biosensor for impedimetric cancer cell detection.•Using specific binding of ConA toward overexpressed glycogenated cancer cell surface, selectivity achieved.•Distinct impedimetric response for cancerous HeLa, MCF-7 whereas non-cancerous MCF-10, bEnd3 are ignorable.•A linearity found in 5 × 102–1 × 105 cells mL-1 with LOD of 246 and 367 cells mL-1 for HeLa and MCF-7.