Real-Time Nanoplasmonic Sensor for IgG Monitoring in Bioproduction
PROCESSES
Authors: Tran, Thuy; Eskilson, Olof; Mayer, Florian; Gustavsson, Robert; Selegard, Robert; Lundstrom, Ingemar; Mandenius, Carl-Fredrik; Martinsson, Erik; Aili, Daniel
Abstract
Real-time monitoring of product titers during process development and production of biotherapeutics facilitate implementation of quality-by-design principles and enable rapid bioprocess decision and optimization of the production process. Conventional analytical methods are generally performed offline/at-line and, therefore, are not capable of generating real-time data. In this study, a novel fiber optical nanoplasmonic sensor technology was explored for rapid IgG titer measurements. The sensor combines localized surface plasmon resonance transduction and robust single use Protein A-modified sensor chips, housed in a flexible flow cell, for specific IgG detection. The sensor requires small sample volumes (1-150 mu L) and shows a reproducibility and sensitivity comparable to Protein G high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV). The dynamic range of the sensor system can be tuned by varying the sample volume, which enables quantification of IgG samples ranging from 0.0015 to 10 mg/mL, without need for sample dilution. The sensor shows limited interference from the sample matrix and negligible unspecific protein binding. IgG titers can be rapidly determined in samples from filtered unpurified Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures and show good correlation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Increased Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Eastern China: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case-Control Study
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
Authors: Yu, Yang; Guo, Dong; Qu, Tingting; Zhao, Shuchao; Xu, Chang; Wang, Longlong; Wang, Zhongjun; Fu, Haiyang; Zhang, Xiangyan; Zhou, Na
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in eastern China. Therefore, 287 primary CRC patients and 287 age-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to estimate the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiand identify the risk factors of infection. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to test for anti-T. gondiiimmunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. Forty-six (16%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondiiIgG antibodies in patients with CRC, compared with 26 (9.1%) in the healthy controls, a significant difference (P=0.007). By contrast, eight (2.8%) patients tested positive forT. gondiiIgM antibodies, compared with three (1.1%) in the controls, a difference that was not significant (P=0.13). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a rural residence (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.15-7.01;P=0.024) and treatment with chemotherapy (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.02-4.57;P=0.045) were risk factors forT. gondiiinfection in patients with CRC. Thus,T. gondiiinfection is serious in patients with CRC, and a rural residence and treatment with chemotherapy are independent risk factors for infection by this parasite. Therefore, medical professionals should be aware of this pathogen in patients with CRC, and the causes ofT. gondiiinfection in these patients need to be explored further.