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A 10-fold improvement in the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of an optically encoded silica particle-based immunoassay was achieved through incorporating a protein resistant poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) surface layer and optimizing antibody immobilization conditions. PEG was activated using 2,2,2-trifluoroethanesulfonyl chloride (tresyl) and required a minimum reaction time of 1.5 h. The activated PEG had a reactive half-life of approximately 5 h when stored in acidified dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). By increasing the protein incubation time and concentration, a maximum antibody loading on the particle surface of 1.6 × 10−2molecules per nm2was achieved. The assay S/N ratio was assessed using a multiplexed multicomponent optically encoded species-specific immunoassay. Encoded particles were covalently grafted or nonspecifically coated with either bovine or mouse IgG for the simultaneous detection of complementary anti-IgG “target” or uncomplementary anti-IgG “noise”. The versatility and potential as a serum-based assay platform was demonstrated by immobilizing either a polyclonal antibody or an engineered single-chain variable fragment (scFv) capture probe on particles for the detection of the ovarian cancer biomarker, mesothelin (MSLN). The MLSN antigen was spiked into PBS buffer or 50% human serum. Both capture probe orientations, and media conditions showed similar low level detection limits of 5 ng/mL; however, a 40% decrease in maximum signal intensity was observed for assays run in 50% serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the use of flow cytometry as a high-throughput quantifiable technique to study multicomponent adsorption interactions between proteins and surfaces. Flow cytometry offers the advantage of high-throughput analysis of multiple parameters on a very small sampling scale. This enables flow cytometry to distinguish between individual adsorbent particles and adsorbate components within a suspension. As a proof of concept study, the adsorption of three proteinsbovine serum albumin (BSA), bovine immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) and fibrinogenonto five surface-modified organosilica microsphere surfaces was used as a model multicomponent system for analysis. By uniquely labeling each protein and solid support type with spectrally distinguishable fluorescent dyes, the adsorption process could be “multiplexed” allowing for simultaneous screening of multiple adsorbate (protein) and adsorbent (particle surface) interactions. Protein adsorption experiments quantified by flow cytometry were found to be comparable to single-component adsorption studies by solution depletion. Quantitative distribution of the simultaneous competitive adsorption of BSA and IgG indicated that, at concentrations below surface saturation, both proteins adsorbed onto the surface. However, at concentrations greater than surface saturation, BSA preferentially adsorbed. Multiplexed particle suspensions of optically encoded particles were modified to produce a positively and negatively charged surface, a grafted 3400 MW poly(ethylene glycol) layer, or a physisorbed BSA or IgG layer. It was observed that adsorption was rapid and irreversible on all of the surfaces, and preadsorbed protein layers were the most effective in preventing further protein adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]