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Arif S, Akhter M, Anwar A, Javaid S, Ashi Z, Shad M, Rahman A, Abbas H, Ashraf F, Akhtar MW, Sajjad M. Immunological assessment of NSFu1: A novel fusion molecule constructed from structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 for improving COVID-19 antibody detection. Arch Microbiol 2025; 207:88. [PMID: 40088274 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-025-04286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2025] [Accepted: 02/24/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has claimed millions of lives and caused significant clinical challenges. The availability of a rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive test to detect antibodies at different stages of COVID-19 is crucial for effective clinical management, epidemiological studies, and public health surveillance. Four novel peptides (SF1, SF2, SF4, SF6) and two multi-epitope fusion proteins (SFu1 and NSFu1) from less variable regions of the spike and nucleocapsid proteins were developed. After detailed in silico structural validation, all the proteins were expressed in E. coli (BL21), purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography, and CD spectroscopy was also executed for secondary structural analysis. The serological potential was assessed by screening 462 plasma samples from symptomatic, asymptomatic, recovered, follow-up COVID-19 cases, and 212 healthy controls. The recombinant antigens SF1, SF2, SF4, SF6, NC, SFu1, and NSFu1 showed ELISA sensitivities of 32.9%, 41.5%, 37.3%, 28.8%, 30.7%, 65.8%, and 82.0%, respectively with specificities ranging from 97 to 99% for symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases. The sensitivities for the fusion proteins were nearly equivalent to the combined sensitivities of their constituent antigens. In conclusion, the NSFu1 fusion protein showing 82% sensitivity and 99% specificity could be a potential antigen for developing new molecules to achieve higher sensitivity for COVID-19 antibody detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaista Arif
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mohsina Akhter
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Aqsa Anwar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sania Javaid
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zara Ashi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Shad
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Asad Rahman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huda Abbas
- Molecular Diagnostic Division, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fouzia Ashraf
- Molecular Diagnostic Division, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M Waheed Akhtar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajjad
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-E-Azam Campus, P.O. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan.
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Kang NR, Biondo JR, Sharpes CE, Rhea KA, Garden PM, Montezco JJJ, Ringaci A, Grinstaff MW, Phillips DA, Miklos AE, Green AA. A Rapid and Modular Nanobody Assay for Plug-and-Play Antigen Detection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2025:2025.03.01.640988. [PMID: 40093045 PMCID: PMC11908207 DOI: 10.1101/2025.03.01.640988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2025]
Abstract
Rapid and portable antigen detection is essential for managing infectious diseases and responding to toxic exposures, yet current methods face significant limitations. Highly sensitive platforms like the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) are time- and cost-prohibitive for point-of-need detection, while portable options like lateral flow assays (LFAs) require systemic overhauls for new targets. Furthermore, the complex infrastructure, high production costs, and extended timelines for assay development constrain manufacturing of traditional diagnostic platforms in low-resource settings. To address these challenges, we describe the Rapid and Modular Nanobody Assay (RAMONA) as a versatile antigen detection platform that leverages nanobody-coiled coil fusion proteins for modular integration with downstream readout methods. RAMONA merges the portability of LFAs with the benefits of nanobodies, such as their smaller size, improved solubility, and compatibility with cell-free protein synthesis systems, enabling on-demand biomanufacturing and rapid adaptation for diverse targets. We demonstrate assay generalizability through the detection of three distinct protein targets, robustness across various temperatures and incubation periods, and compatibility with saliva samples and cell-free synthesis. Detection occurs in under 30 minutes, with results strongly and positively correlating to ELISA data while requiring minimal resources. Moreover, RAMONA supports multiplexed detection of three antigens simultaneously using orthogonal capture probes. By overcoming several limitations of traditional immunoassays, RAMONA represents a significant advancement in rapid, adaptable, and field-deployable antigen detection technologies.
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Liu Y, Wang M, Chen F, Zhang Y, Hai W. On-site detection of infectious disease based on CaCO 3-based magnetic micromotor integrated with graphene field effect transistor. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:257. [PMID: 38600405 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06345-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
A new detection platform based on CaCO3-based magnetic micromotor (CaCO3@Fe3O4) integrated with graphene field effect transistor (GFET) was construct and used for on-site SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pathogen detection. The CaCO3@Fe3O4 micromotor, which was modified with anti-SARS-CoV-2 (labelled antibody, AntiE1), can self-moved in the solution containing hydrochloric acid (HCl) and effective to capture the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pathogens. After magnetic field separation, the capture micromotor was detected by GFET, exhibiting a good linear relationship within the range of 1 ag/mL to 100 ng/mL and low detection limit (0.39 ag/mL). Furthermore, the detection platform was also successfully applied to detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pathogens in soil solution, indicating the potential use in on-site application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushuang Liu
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Carbon Nanomaterials, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Mongolian Medicine Research and Development Engineering, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mingxuan Wang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Carbon Nanomaterials, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China
| | - Furong Chen
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Carbon Nanomaterials, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Carbon Nanomaterials, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Hai
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Carbon Nanomaterials, Nano Innovation Institute (NII), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, 028000, People's Republic of China
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Chen X, Xiao L, Li X, Yi D, Zhang J, Yuan H, Ning Z, Hong X, Chen Y. Tapered Fiber Bioprobe Based on U-Shaped Fiber Transmission for Immunoassay. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:940. [PMID: 37887133 PMCID: PMC10605819 DOI: 10.3390/bios13100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a tapered fiber bioprobe based on Mach-Zehnder interference (MZI) is proposed. To retain the highly sensitive straight-tapered fiber MZI sensing structure, we designed a U-shaped transmission fiber structure for the collection of optical sensing signals to achieve a miniature-insert-probe design. The spectrum responses from the conventional straight-tapered fiber MZI sensor and our proposed sensor were compared and analyzed, and experimental results showed that our proposed sensor not only has the same sensing capability as the straight-tapered fiber sensor, but also has the advantages of being flexible, convenient, and less liquid-consuming, which are attributed to the inserted probe design. The tapered fiber bioprobe obtained a sensitivity of 1611.27 nm/RIU in the refractive index detection range of 1.3326-1.3414. Finally, immunoassays for different concentrations of human immunoglobulin G were achieved with the tapered fiber bioprobe through surface functionalization, and the detection limit was 45 ng/mL. Our tapered fiber bioprobe has the insert-probe advantages of simpleness, convenience, and fast operation. Simultaneously, it is low-cost, highly sensitive, and has a low detection limit, which means it has potential applications in immunoassays and early medical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghong Chen
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Lei Xiao
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Tian’an Zhiyuan Sensor Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xuejin Li
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
- School of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Duo Yi
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Jinghan Zhang
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
- School of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Hao Yuan
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Zhiyao Ning
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xueming Hong
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yuzhi Chen
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; (X.C.); (L.X.); (X.L.); (D.Y.); (J.Z.); (H.Y.); (Z.N.); (X.H.)
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory for Optical Fiber Sensors and Networks, Shenzhen 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology, Shenzhen 518060, China
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