A highly sensitive fluorescent immunosensor for sensitive detection of nuclear matrix protein 22 as biomarker for early stage diagnosis of bladder cancer

A novel strategy is reported for highly sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of nuclear matrix protein NMP22 using two-color quantum dots based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Quantum dots (QDs) are highly advantageous for biological imaging and analysis, particularly when combined with (FRET) properties of semiconductor quantum dot (QDs) are ideal for biological analysis to improve sensitivity and accuracy. In this FRET system narrowly dispersed green emitting quantum dot CdTe core is used as a donor and labelled by monoclonal (mAb) antibody, while orange emitting quantum dot CdTe/CdS core shell is used as an accepter and labelled by polyclonal (pAb) antibody. The quantum dots are labelled by antibodies using EDC/NHS as crosslinking agent. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was added to block nonspecific binding sites. The fluorescence intensity of QDs accepter decreased linearly with the increasing concentrations of NMP22 from 2–22 pg mL(−1) due to FRET system and fluoroimmunoassay reaction. This method has good regression coefficient (R(2) = 0.998) and detection limit was 0.05 pg mL(−1). The proposed FRET-based immunosensor provides a quick, simple and sensitive immunoassay tool for protein detection, and can be considered as a promising approach for clinical applications. The proposed FRET-based immunosensor provides a quick, simple and sensitive immunoassay tool for protein detection, and can be considered as a promising approach for clinical applications.