(1008-A) A non-faradaic, point-of-care, multiplex, electrochemical wound healing biosensor for profiling of regenerative biomarkers
Monday, February 5, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Halls AB
Abstract: Wound healing can have two significantly different outcomes in patients: (1) complete recovery of tissue function through regeneration/repair or (2) persistent failure to remodel accompanied by chronic wound formation and fibrosis. The end result is determined by the profile of immune biomarkers present in wound exudate. Just in the U.S. alone, the financial burden of chronic wound care is estimated to be $50 billion annually and affects approximately 5.7 million people. Due to their prolonged healing time of sometimes up to several years or decades, patients and their families experience a severe emotional and psychological burden. TNF-⍺, IL-10, and IL-8 are three key biomarkers from the inflammatory phase to the regenerative and remodeling phases of the wound healing process. The conventional assessment method of quantitative biomarker profiling in wounds includes biopsies, collection of wound exudate fluids, and testing through an ELISA assay or Western blotting in a laboratory setting. In this work, we have developed a label-free, point-of-care, non-faradaic, multiplex biosensor that bypasses these time-consuming steps and allows for rapid and reliable quantification of these three biomarkers. Our proposed sensor is comprised of a novel affinity-based electrode system with three gold working, reference, and counter electrodes deposited onto a nanoporous polyamide membrane, which can be used with fluid from a wound dressing for application in a point-of-care setting. Highly specific monoclonal antibodies are used as capture probes for the TNF-⍺, IL-10, and IL-8 cytokines. The antibodies are immobilized onto the gold working electrodes through a strong thiol bond via a DSP (dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate)) crosslinker. At its core, the immunosensor relies on non-faradaic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to transduce the subtle changes in the electric double-layer interface as a result of the binding event between the target molecule and its respective capture probe. Utilizing this technique, calibration dose-response curves were obtained allowing for a dose-dependent relation between the levels of TNF-⍺, IL-10, and IL-8 cytokines and the impedance measurement. Our proposed sensor is capable of precisely quantifying the levels of these biomarkers across the physiologically relevant ranges and profiles the wound according to the wound healing process. Hence, in this work, we have developed a point-of-care, non-faradaic, multiplex, electrochemical biosensor that can measure the levels of TNF-⍺, IL-10, and IL-8 biomarkers and allow for wound stage classification in artificial wound fluid. This proof-of-concept device can potentially aid physicians in chronic wound care by allowing for rapid biomarker profiling, wound state classification, and consequently earlier and more effective treatments. Further, this technology could potentially be used for routine at-home monitoring of chronic wounds, which can help significantly alleviate the financial and psychological burden on patients and their families.