The Ability of Antibody against Truncated Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Peptide to Evaluate the Native Protein on Tear Drops of Dry Eye Disease Patients by a Point-of-Care Diagnostic System

Abstract

Purpose: To obtain a reactive and specific antibody against truncated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), that has reactivity toward the native protein. Precision, accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity were evaluated using a point-of-care test. Methods: An in silico study was used to confirm the anti peptide truncated MMP-9 is against native MMP-9. After an antibody titer assessment, purification, and characterization, the anti MMP-9 was assessed. The cut-off value was determined using the purified gelatinases of the supernatant HCT 116 cell line. The supernatant was purified by preparative native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis based on charge and size of the proteins. Furthermore, quality control (QC) of the results were performed following standard densitometry methods. Results: A truncated MMP-9 is the major epitope peptide that can trigger the immune system to scavenge for a specific and reactive antibody against the native MMP-9. The MMP-9 native protein is purified from the supernatant of the HCT 116 cell line and the commercially available, full-length MMP-9. The cut-off value was estimated at 30 μg/mL. QC results indicated that the specificity was 80%, sensitivity was 96.7%, accuracy was 91%, and precision was 91.66%. The area under curve was 0.827 (P < 0.001). The positive predictive value was 83%, and the negative predictive value was 96%. Conclusions: The antibody against the synthetic epitope peptide can detect the native MMP-9. Native MMP-9 is considered the main biomarker in an immunoassay POCT and is used to diagnose dry eye disease (DED). In accordance with QC results, MMP-9 point of care test can be utilized for screening patients suffering from DED.