Clinically Related Protein–Peptide Interactions Monitored in Real Time on Novel Peptide Chips by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Abstract Background: Developing rapid, high-throughput assays for detecting and characterizing protein–protein interactions is a great challenge in the postgenomic era. We have developed a new method that allows parallel analysis of multiple analytes in biological fluids and is suitable for biological and medical studies. Methods: This technology for studying peptide–antibody interactions is based on polypyrrole-peptide chips and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). We generated a chip bearing a large panel of peptide probes by successive electro-directed copolymerizations of pyrrole–peptide conjugates on a gold surface. Results: We provide evidence that (a) the signal produced by antibody binding is highly specific; (b) the detected signal specifically reflects the antibody concentration of the tested solution in a dose-dependent manner; (c) this technique is appropriate for analyzing complex media such as undiluted sera, a novelty with respect to previous techniques; and (d) correlation between classic ELISA results and the SPRi signal is good (P = 0.008). We also validated this system in a medical model by detecting anti-hepatitis C antibodies in patient-derived sera. Conclusion: Because of its characteristics (easy preparation of the peptide chip; high-throughput, label-free, real-time detection; high specificity; and low background), this technology is suitable for screening biological samples and for large-scale studies.