Biocompatible quantum dot-antibody conjugate for cell imaging, targeting and fluorometric immunoassay: crosslinking, characterization and applications

Quantum dots (QDs) are important fluorescent probes that offer great promise for bio-imaging research due to their superior optical properties. However, QDs for live cell imaging and the tracking of cells need more investigation to simplify processing procedures, improving labeling efficiency, and reducing chronic toxicity. In this study, QDs were functionalized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) via a chemical linker. Anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies were oxidized by sodium periodate to create reactive aldehyde groups for a spontaneous reaction with the amine groups of BSA-modified QDs. An antibody-labeled QD bioconjugate was characterized using agarose gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we found that the fluorescence of QDs was retained after multiple conjugation steps. The cell-labeling function of the QD bioconjugate was confirmed using an image analyzer and confocal microscopy. The QD bioconjugate specifically targeted human immunoglobulin on the membrane surface of recombinant cells. In addition, the QD bioconjugate applied in fluorometric immunoassay was effective for the quantitative analysis of human immunoglobulin in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The developed QD bioconjugate may offer a promising platform to develop biocompatible tools to label cells and quantify antibodies in the immunoassay.