Towards pain-free diagnosis of skin diseases through multiplexed microneedles: biomarker extraction and detection using a highly sensitive blotting method

Keng Wooi Ng, Wing Man Lau, Adrian C. Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Immunodiagnostic microneedles provide a novel way to extract protein biomarkers from the skin in a minimally invasive manner for analysis in vitro. The technology could overcome challenges in biomarker analysis specifically in solid tissue, which currently often involves invasive biopsies. This study describes the development of a multiplex immunodiagnostic device incorporating mechanisms to detect multiple antigens simultaneously, as well as internal assay controls for result validation. A novel detection method is also proposed. It enables signal detection specifically at microneedle tips and therefore may aid the construction of depth profiles of skin biomarkers. The detection method can be coupled with computerised densitometry for signal quantitation. The antigen specificity, sensitivity and functional stability of the device was assessed against a number of model biomarkers. Detection and analysis of endogenous antigens (interleukins 1α and 6) from the skin using the device was demonstrated. The results were verified using conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The detection limit of the microneedle device, at ≤10 pg/mL, was at least comparable to conventional plate-based solid-phase enzyme immunoassays.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-396
Number of pages10
JournalDrug Delivery and Translational Research
Volume5
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 May 2015

Bibliographical note

The final publication is available at Springer via http://10.1007/s13346-015-0231-5

Keywords

  • immunodiagnostic microneedles
  • microprojection arrays
  • biomarkers
  • immobilised antibody
  • densitometry
  • skin diagnosis

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