Integrating resonance energy transfer with enzyme-triggered hydrolysis for ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence detection of exosomes

Abstract

We developed an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor by the combination of resonance energy transfer (RET) and enzyme-triggered hydrolysis reaction. Benefitting from the highly efficient RET in one nanostructure of the ECL luminophore, signal amplification by the DNA competitive reaction, and the quick response of alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-triggered hydrolysis reaction, the sensor exhibited a high sensitivity toward A549 cell-derived exosomes with a detection limit down to 1.22 × 10³ particles mL⁻¹. It performed well on biosamples from lung cancer patients and healthy individuals, revealing a potential application in cancer diagnosis.