A paper electrode integrated lateral flow immunosensor for quantitative analysis of oxidative stress induced DNA damage

Abstract

A novel device combining electrochemical and colorimetric detection is developed for the rapid measurement of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a DNA oxidative damage biomarker. The device takes advantage of the speed and low cost of the conventional strip test as well as the high reliability and accuracy of the electrochemical assay. Competitive immunoreactions were performed on the lateral flow strip, and the captured 8-OHdG on the control line was determined by chronoamperometric measurement with carbon nanotube paper as the working electrode. At the same time, the color intensity of the test line was measured by a scanner and analyzed by the ImageJ software. The device was able to detect 8-OHdG concentrations in PBS as low as 2.07 ng mL⁻¹ by the colorimetric method and 3.11 ng mL⁻¹ by the electrochemical method. Furthermore, the device was successfully utilized to detect 8-OHdG in urine with a detection limit of 5.76 ng mL⁻¹ (colorimetric method) and 8.85 ng mL⁻¹ (electrochemical method), respectively. In conclusion, the integrated device with dual detection methods can provide a rapid, visual, quantitative and feasible detection method for 8-OHdG. The integration of these two methods holds two major advantages over tests based on a single method. Firstly, it can provide double confidence on the same assay. Secondly, by involving two methods that differ in principle, the integration could potentially avoid false results coming from one method. In addition, these methods do not require expensive equipment or trained personnel, making it suitable for use as a simple, economical, portable field kit for on-site monitoring of 8-OHdG in a variety of clinical settings.