Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
  • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
  • B01D67/0093—Chemical modification
  • B01D67/00931—Chemical modification by introduction of specific groups after membrane formation, e.g. by grafting
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/53—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor
  • G01N33/543—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor with an insoluble carrier for immobilising immunochemicals
  • G01N33/54353—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor with an insoluble carrier for immobilising immunochemicals with ligand attached to the carrier via a chemical coupling agent
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
  • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
  • B01D67/009—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes with wave-energy, particle-radiation or plasma
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D67/00—Processes specially adapted for manufacturing semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus
  • B01D67/0081—After-treatment of organic or inorganic membranes
  • B01D67/0093—Chemical modification
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
  • B01D69/14—Dynamic membranes
  • B01D69/141—Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes
  • B01D69/142—Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes with "carriers"
  • B01D69/144—Heterogeneous membranes, e.g. containing dispersed material; Mixed matrix membranes with "carriers" containing embedded or bound biomolecules
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D71/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by the material; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
  • B01D71/06—Organic material
  • B01D71/08—Polysaccharides
  • B01D71/12—Cellulose derivatives
  • B01D71/20—Esters of inorganic acids, e.g. cellulose nitrate
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2323/00—Details relating to membrane preparation
  • B01D2323/38—Graft polymerization

Definitions

• the present disclosure generally relates to porous membranes permanently grafted with a polymeric coating to facilitate the immobilization of a biomolecule on the porous membrane. Methods of preparing and using the modified porous membranes with these polymeric coatings are also described.
• Porous membranes such as nitrocellulose membranes, are routinely used in a variety of processes, including biological applications that require the immobilization of one or more biomolecules.
• biomolecules include but are not limited to proteins (e.g., antibodies) and nucleic acids (e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)).
• Membranes are needed for the immobilization of biomolecules for use in, for example, immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, particularly point-of-care diagnostic methods, and separation of analytes or biomolecules in biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, saliva, sputum, other bodily secretions, cells, and tissue samples) for a variety of biological processes and medical techniques.
• biological samples e.g., blood, urine, saliva, sputum, other bodily secretions, cells, and tissue samples
• Nitrocellulose membranes exhibit an essentially non-specific interaction between the nitrocellulose membrane and biomolecule(s), and researchers have traditionally relied upon this passive association as the basis for the use of nitrocellulose membranes in a variety of "entrapment" type immobilization methods. Reliance on this passive interaction between the nitrocellulose membrane and a biomolecule of interest, however, may lead to complications for successfully using nitrocellulose membranes in many biological applications because it necessarily limits the amount of the biomolecule that can be immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane.
• modified porous membranes to improve immobilization and binding of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) of interest to porous membrane substrates are needed in the art.
• modified porous membranes including modified nitrocellulose membranes, would find use in, for example, immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests (e.g., point-of-care diagnostic applications), and techniques for the separation of biomolecules of interest in biological samples.
• modified porous membranes would allow for increased biomolecule (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein, particularly an antibody) binding to the porous membrane, thereby leading to improved specificity and sensitivity of immunoassays and diagnostic tests, a reduced number of false positive and false negative test results, a reduction in the concentration of an analyte or a biomolecule in a biological sample needed for minimum, accurate biomolecule detection in, for example, immunoassays and point-of-care diagnostics, particularly those that detect analytes and biomolecules that are present even in biological samples in small quantities.
• Modified porous membranes of the application would further shorten the time needed to accurately detect the presence of a biomolecule, thereby also providing faster positive or negative test results. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide porous membranes having polymer coatings that improve the immobilization and binding of biomolecules to these porous membranes. Modified porous membranes may be further generated by novel methods of production.
• the porous membrane comprises a coating of at least one polymer grafted to the porous membrane.
• the polymer coating is generally permanently (e.g., covalently) bound to the porous membrane.
• the porous membrane is a nitrocellulose membrane.
• the polymer may be grafted to the porous membrane by any method, including the generation of free radicals such as by derivatizing an electron beam
• Free radicals may alternatively be generated for the disclosed compositions and methods by including, without limitation, ultraviolet irradiation, gamma irradiation, corona discharge, and the use of a chemical initiator.
• the modified porous membrane disclosed herein comprises a polymer coating of at least one epoxy group-containing compound.
• the epoxy group-containing compound is grafted to the porous membrane by generating free radicals on the porous membrane using e-beam irradiation and a polymer of variable length that contains an e-beam reactive moiety, designated "poly-(A) x polymer," a "linkage” that forms a bond between the poly-(A) x polymer, and a functional "B" group that is able to react with a chemical group present on a biomolecule, thereby resulting in the formation of a polymer coating of, for example, an epoxy group-containing compound, such as GMA, permanently bound to the porous membrane.
• an epoxy group-containing compound such as GMA
• compositions herein include modified porous membranes that comprise a polymer coating of, for example, a polymer of an epoxy group-containing compound permanently grafted to a porous membrane.
• the modified porous membranes comprise polymers of the epoxy group-containing molecule glycidal methylacrylate (GMA).
• GMA glycidal methylacrylate
• the compositions find use in methods for improving the binding of biomolecules, such as proteins (e.g., antibodies) and nucleic acids (e.g., DNA or RNA), to porous membranes, including but not limited to, nitrocellulose membranes.
• compositions are utilized in immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, techniques for the identification or isolation of biomolecules of interest from biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, saliva, sputum, and samplings of cells or tissues), and various other biological methods that require the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane substrate.
• biological samples e.g., blood, urine, saliva, sputum, and samplings of cells or tissues
• various other biological methods that require the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane substrate.
• FIG. 1 provides the general formula (Formula (I)) of the modified porous membranes described herein. The details of the specific components of the general formula are provided throughout the specification.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the mechanism of grafting glycidal methylacrylate (GMA) on a nitrocellulose membrane by e-beam irradiation.
• GMA glycidal methylacrylate
• FIG. 3 provides the ATR FTIR spectra obtained for the various reactants used to graft GMA onto nitrocellulose membranes in accordance with exemplary methods of the methods of the invention. Specifically, the spectra for nitrocellulose, nitrocellulose + water, nitrocellulose + water + Tween-20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate), nitrocellulose + water + GMA + Tween-20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate), GMA, and Tween-20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate) are presented in FIG. 2. See Example 1 below for details of the method used.
• FIG. 4 provides the ATR FTIR spectra for replicate samples of nitrocellulose grafted with GMA using either 10 kGy or 50 kGy of e-beam radiation. Additional details are described in Example 1.
• FIG. 5 provides the results from ] ⁇ DOSY NMR analysis of acetone dissolved unmodified nitrocellulose membranes (A) and modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA using either 10 kGy (B) or 50 kGy (C) of e-beam radiation. See Example 1 for further details.
• FIG. 6 sets forth the results of fluorescence scanning and colorimetric analysis of unmodified and modified nitrocellulose membranes utilized in assays to assess BSA protein binding to these membranes.
• the assays were performed under different reaction conditions as described below in Example 2.
• FIG. 7 provides the photographic results of a model lateral flow assay (e.g., a pregnancy test) performed using either unmodified or modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA. This example is described in Example 3.
• FIG. 8 demonstrates that a significantly lower detection limit for the antigen human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is obtained in lateral flow assays utilizing modified nitrocellulose membrane strips grafted with GMA as compared to results obtained in corresponding examples with unmodified nitrocellulose membrane strips. See Example 5 below for additional details.
• FIG. 9 provides a graph demonstrating a significant decrease in the time to detect equivalent amounts of hCG in lateral flow assays utilizing modified nitrocellulose membrane strips grafted with GMA as compared to results obtained in corresponding examples with unmodified nitrocellulose membrane strips.
• a visual positive result for the presence of hCG in a lateral flow assay with GMA-grafted nitrocellulose was observed at approximately 2 minutes versus the roughly 20 minutes necessary to achieve similar results in a lateral flow assay with using an unmodified nitrocellulose membrane in an identical lateral flow assay. See Example 6 additional details.
• Modified porous membranes are provided herein that comprise at least one polymer coating grafted to the porous membrane to facilitate immobilization of a biomolecule on the porous membrane.
• modified as used herein, particularly in reference to the disclosed porous membranes is intended to include any alteration to the porous membrane, for example, a chemical alteration, of the original, unmodified porous membrane.
• the "modified" porous membranes of the invention may be a chemically modified porous membranes comprising a polymeric coating comprising, for example, an epoxy group-containing compound (e.g., GMA), grafted to the porous membrane.
• the porous membrane is a nitrocellulose membrane comprising polymers of the epoxy group-containing compound is GMA grafted on the porous membrane.
• the porous membrane of this disclosure has the structure of Formula (I) that includes a polymer coating bound to a porous membrane, wherein the polymer coating comprises: 1) a polymer of a variable length of a chain monomers of an electron (e-beam) reactive moiety (designated as poly(A) x ; 2) a linkage that forms a bond between (poly(A) x ); and 3) a functional group labeled B group which facilitates reaction with chemical groups, for example, an amine group present on a biomolecule of interest, thereby facilitating immobilization of a biomolecule on the porous membrane.
• the polymer coating comprises: 1) a polymer of a variable length of a chain monomers of an electron (e-beam) reactive moiety (designated as poly(A) x ; 2) a linkage that forms a bond between (poly(A) x ); and 3) a functional group labeled B group which facilitates reaction with chemical groups, for example, an amine group present on a bio
• the polymer coating (e.g., labeled "poly(A) x -linkage-B" in the schematic below), comprises several components (e.g., poly(A) x polymer, a linkage, and a functional moiety B) is grafted (e.g., covalently bond) the polymeric coating to a porous membrane. See below and FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for a more detailed description of the components and functions of the polymer coating.
• modified as used herein, particularly in reference to disclosed porous membranes and solid phase materials, is intended to include any alteration to a porous membrane or a solid phase material, for example, a chemical alteration, of the original, unmodified porous membrane or solid phase membrane substrate.
• modified porous membranes of the invention may be modified (e.g., chemically modified) porous membranes comprising polymers, such as an epoxy group-containing compound, grafted to the porous membrane.
• the porous membrane is a nitrocellulose membrane and the epoxy group-containing compound is GMA.
• a modified porous membrane is grafted with a polymer coating by first immersing the porous membrane in a solution of a polymer of variable length comprising an e-beam reactive moiety (e.g., "poly-(A)x polymer”), a "linkage” that forms a bond between the poly-(A)x polymer, and a functional B group available to react with a functional moiety present on a biomolecule (see below and FIG. 1) and then subjected to e-beam.
• a polymer of variable length comprising an e-beam reactive moiety (e.g., "poly-(A)x polymer"), a "linkage” that forms a bond between the poly-(A)x polymer, and a functional B group available to react with a functional moiety present on a biomolecule (see below and FIG. 1) and then subjected to e-beam.
• a porous membrane is immersed in an epoxy group-containing compound (e.g., GMA) and then subjected to e-beam irradiation.
• an epoxy group-containing compound e.g., GMA
• the modified porous membranes are prepared by first subjecting a porous membrane to e-beam irradiation followed by immersing the membrane in a solution of, for example, an epoxy group-containing compound such as GMA, as described above.
• immersing the porous membrane in a solution of, for example, an epoxy group-containing compound such as GMA, as recited in the claims, is generally accomplished by dipping the entire porous membrane in the polymeric coating (poly(A) x -linkage-B) solution and then removing any excess solution.
• an epoxy group-containing compound such as GMA
• the unmodified porous membrane may include a nitrocellulose membrane, a cellulose membrane, a cellulose acetate membrane, a regenerated cellulose membrane, a nitrocellulose mixed ester membrane, a polyethersulfone membrane, a nylon membrane, a polyolefin membrane, a polyester membrane, a polycarbonate membrane, a polypropylene membrane, a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane, a polyethylene membrane, a polystyrene membrane, a polyurethane membrane, a polyphenylene oxide membrane, a poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co- hexafluoropropylene membrane, or any combination of two or more of the above porous membranes.
• Nitrocellulose membranes are currently widely used in a variety of biological applications that require the immobilization of a particular biomolecule (e.g., DNA, RNA, or a protein such as an antibody) on a solid phase material.
• a nitrocellulose membrane is intended to refer to, without limitation, to any porous membrane, including any commercially available porous membrane, particularly a commercially available nitrocellulose membrane.
• a nitrocellulose membrane is chemically modified to comprise, as set forth in FIG. 1, a polymeric coating that facilitates biomolecule immobilization on a porous modified membrane.
• one such modified porous membrane comprises an epoxy group-containing compound (e.g.., GMA) grafted to a nitrocellulose membrane.
• GMA epoxy group-containing compound
• Nirocellulose membranes as used in this application include all those porous membrane products containing any nitrogen concentration, a diversity of pore sizes, and variable membrane thicknesses.
• the pore size of the porous membrane may be in the range of 0.01 to 50 microns.
• pore diameter may be uniform throughout the porous membrane or, alternatively, pore diameter may be irregular. It is well within the skill and the knowledge of one in the art to select a porous membrane, such as a nitrocellulose membrane, with the appropriate nitrogen content, pore size, and membrane thickness to achieve a specific, desired result. Moreover, the skilled artisan would immediately understand and appreciate the meaning of the phrase a
• nitrocellulose membrane and that such nitrocellulose membranes, for example, or commercially available nitrocellulose membranes, may be “unbacked” membranes or alternatively contain a “backing material” or “backing support” such as a polyester (PE).
• a backing material such as a polyester (PE).
• Nitrocellulose membranes having any nitrogen concentration, pore size, or the presence or absence of a backing support are all encompassed in the term "nitrocellulose membrane” as used herein.
• Nitrocellulose membranes have a variety of chemical and physical properties and are routinely used in biological techniques that require, for example, the immobilization of a biomolecule of interest (e.g., an antibody) to a porous membrane or for the collection of biomolecules on these porous membranes in order to separate them from other proteins, nucleic acids, and biomolecules or the like in a biological sample to be analyzed. Any nitrocellulose membrane may be utilized in the present disclosure.
• porous membranes are referred to throughout the instant application, the compositions, methods of preparation, and methods of use are equally applicable to other solid phase materials useful in the immobilization of a biomolecule, as recited in the claims herein.
• Such solid phase materials include but are not limited to glass beads, glass fibres, latex beads, nodes, cakes, nanoparticles, hollow membrane tubes, and any combination of two or more of the above solid phase materials.
• e-beam reactive moiety designated as "A" in FIG. 1 refers to any chemical functional group that is believed to self-polymerize when subjected to e- beam irradiation (e.g., poly(A)x in FIG. 2).
• Exemplary e-beam reactive moieties include but are not limited to those compounds that comprise a methacrylate, an acrylate, an acrylamide, a vinyl ketone, a styrenic, a vinyl ether, a vinyl-containing moiety, an allyl- containing moiety, a benzyl-based compound, and a tertiary-carbon (CHR3)-based compound, or two or more of the e-beam reactive moieties set forth above.
• CHR3-based compound tertiary-carbon
• the "linkage” shown in FIG.l that forms a bond between the poly(A) x polymer and the functional B group, described below, includes but is not limited to an ester, an aliphatic, an aromatic, a hydrophilic compound, a hetero-aromatic compound, or any combination of two or more of these exemplary linkages.
• the B functional group as labeled in the schematic presented in FIG. 1 includes, without intending to be limited in any way, an epoxy group-containing compound, a polyethylene glycol (PEG), an alkyne group, a hydroxyl group, an amine group, a halogen group, a tosyl group, a mesyl group, an azido group, an isocyanate group, an silane group, disilazanes, sulfhydryls, carboxylates, isonitriles, phosphoramidites, nitrenes, hydrosilyl, nitrile, alkylphosphonates, and any combination of two or more of these functional moieties.
• PEG polyethylene glycol
• the B functional group may be introduced on the porous membrane through e- beam irradiation leading to the self-polymerization of the e-beam reactive moiety, which in turn makes the B functional group (e.g., an epoxy group) available to react with functional moieties, for example, an amine group present on a biomolecule, such as a protein, particularly an antibody, thereby facilitating immobilization of the biomolecule on the modified porous membrane.
• This modification is beneficial as many porous membranes, such as nitrocellulose membranes, lack the organic functional groups necessary to effectively bond to a porous membrane a biomolecule of interest that possesses, for example, an amino group(s) (e.g., proteins, more particularly antibodies).
• epoxy group-containing compound refers to any chemical compound that comprises at least one epoxy group. Any epoxy group-containing compound, such as GMA, may be used in the compositions and methods of this disclosure.
• the modified porous membrane is a nitrocellulose membrane grafted with polymers of GMA.
• the B functional group is an epoxy group-containing compound, for example an epoxy group.
• the porous membrane e.g., a nitrocellulose membrane
• biological sample includes but is not limited to blood, serum, lymph, saliva, mucus, urine, other bodily secretions, cells, and tissue sections obtained from a human or non-human organism.
• Biological samples may be obtained by an individual undergoing the diagnostic test herself (e.g., blood glucose monitoring) or by a trained medical professional through a variety of techniques including, for example, aspirating blood using a needle or scraping or swabbing a particular area, such as a lesion on a patient's skin. Methods for collecting various biological samples are well known in the art.
• Immunoassay is used herein in its broadest sense to include any technique based on the interaction between an antibody and its corresponding antigen. Such assays are based on the unique ability of an antibody to bind with high specificity to one or a very limited group of similar molecules (e.g., antigens). A molecule that binds to an antibody is called an antigen. Immunoassays can be carried out using either the antigen or antibody as the “capture” molecule to "entrap" the other member of the antibody-antigen pairing.
• An exemplary, albeit not exhaustive list of immunoassays includes a lateral flow assay (e.g., a home pregnancy test), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a fluorescent immunoassay, and a chemiluminescent immunoassay.
• a lateral flow assay e.g., a home pregnancy test
• RIA radioimmunoassay
• EIA enzyme immunoassay
• ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• fluorescent immunoassay e.g., a fluorescent immunoassay
• chemiluminescent immunoassay e.g., chemiluminescent immunoassay.
• the skilled artisan in the field possesses the skills needed to select and implement the appropriate method(s) for a particular situation, as well as the techniques for performing these immunoassays, as well as the skills to interpret the results.
• the lateral flow assay is a common immunoassay, largely due to its ease of use, and includes such products as commercially available home-pregnancy tests and routine drug tests. Lateral flow assays are particularly advantageous because the devices and methods are generally simple to use and to interpret the test results, even by an individual with no formal medical training. Lateral flow devices and methods are intended to detect the presence or absence of a target analyte or biomolecule (e.g., human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a lateral flow home pregnancy test) in a biological sample (e.g., urine). Although there is variation among lateral flow devices and assays, these tests are commonly used for home testing, point of care testing, and laboratory use.
• a target analyte or biomolecule e.g., human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a lateral flow home pregnancy test
• a biological sample e.g., urine
• Lateral flow assays are often presented in a convenient "dipstick" format, as described in the examples below, in which the biological sample to be tested flows along a solid substrate (e.g., a porous membrane, often a nitrocellulose membrane) via capillary action.
• the dipstick is immersed in the biological sample, it encounters one or more reagents previously imprinted on the dipstick as the biological sample flows up the test strip, thereby encountering lines or zones on the test strip that have been previously imprinted with, for example, an antibody or antigen (e.g., hCG).
• an antibody or antigen e.g., hCG
• a signal is generated to indicate whether the test is positive or negative for the presence of the analyte or biomolecule of interest (e.g., frequently a line visible to the naked eye as in the detection of hCG in a home pregnancy test indicative of the presence of hCG in the patient's urine).
• a modified porous membrane of this disclosure such as a modified nitrocellulose membrane comprising a polymeric coating of GMA polymers
• lateral flow devices and assays would significantly improve the performance, sensitivity, and specificity of such lateral flows devices and immunoassays, decrease the concentration of the analyte or biomolecule needed to obtain an accurate test results, and reduce the time to detect the presence or absence of the analyte or biomolecule, thereby minimizing the time required to acquire the test result.
• antibodies are proteins, more specifically glycoproteins, and exhibit binding specificity to an antigen (e.g., a portion of a polypeptide) of interest.
• antigen e.g., a portion of a polypeptide
• antibody is used in the broadest sense and covers fully assembled antibodies, antibody fragments that can bind antigen (e.g., Fab', F'(ab) 2 , Fv, single chain antibodies, diabodies), and recombinant peptides comprising the foregoing.
• Antibody fragments comprise a portion of an intact antibody, preferably the antigen-binding or variable region of the intact antibody.
• antibody fragments include Fab, Fab', F(ab') 2 , and Fv fragments, diabodies, and linear antibodies (Zapata et al. (1995) Protein Eng. 8(10): 1057 1062), single-chain antibody molecules, and multi- specific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. Any antibody or antibody fragment may be used in the practice of the invention.
• detection of antibody binding or immobilization on a solid phase material including but not limited to a nitrocellulose membrane
• a solid phase material including but not limited to a nitrocellulose membrane
• Any method known in the art for detecting antibody binding to a nitrocellulose membrane is encompassed by the disclosed invention.
• the determination and optimization of appropriate antibody binding detection techniques is standard and well within the routine capabilities of one of skill in the art.
• detection of antibody binding can be facilitated by coupling the antibody to a detectable substance.
• detectable substances include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, and radioactive materials.
• Exemplary suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, ⁇ -galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; a detectable luminescent material that may be couple to an antibody includes but is not limited to luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin; and examples of suitable radioactive material for detection of antibody binding include 125 I, m I, 35 S, or 3 H.
• the modified porous membranes comprising a polymer coating of, for example, GMA may be further modified to comprise a hydrophilic compound immobilized on the porous membrane.
• a hydrophilic compound onto the modified porous membrane comprising a polymeric coating may act as a blocking agent to decrease nonspecific, background binding to the porous membrane (e.g., nitrocellulose membrane).
• Minimizing non-specific, background binding to a porous membrane improves the signal to noise ratio in, for example, immunoassays based on the specific interaction of an antibody immobilized on the porous membrane and a specific biomolecule of interest (e.g., a protein) in a sample being analyzed for the presence or quantity of this biomolecule.
• a specific biomolecule of interest e.g., a protein
• the claimed modified porous membranes are prepared as described above using an aqueous solution of a polymeric coating described herein (poly(A) x -linkage-B) (e.g., GMA).
• the solution of GMA may further comprise a co-solvent to improve the solubility of the GMA in water.
• a surfactant more particularly a non-ionic surfactant (e.g., polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20TM)), may be used as a co-solvent to increase solubility of, for example, GMA, in water.
• a particular co-solvent e.g., a nonionic surfactant such as Tween-20TM
• Tween-20TM a nonionic surfactant
• the modified porous membranes are prepared by providing a porous membrane; immersing the porous membrane in a solution of poly(A) x -linkage-B (e.g., a compound such as GMA); subjecting the resultant porous membrane to e-beam irradiation; drying the porous membrane, and thereby preparing a modified porous membrane.
• poly(A) x -linkage-B e.g., a compound such as GMA
• the modified porous membranes may be prepared by first subjecting the porous membrane to e-beam irradiation and then immersing the porous membrane in a solution of a poly(A) x -linkage-B, such as GMA. That is, the modified porous membranes of the invention may be first prepared by providing a porous membrane; subjecting the porous membrane to e-beam radiation; immersing the nitrocellulose membrane in a solution of a poly(A) x -linkage-B (e.g., GMA); drying the porous membrane and thereby preparing a modified porous membrane.
• a poly(A) x -linkage-B e.g., GMA
• e-beam radiation is believed to generate free radicals on the porous membrane which are then available to attack a double bond on, for example, the epoxy group- containing compound (e.g., GMA), thereby initiating self-polymerization of the epoxy group-containing compound, and resulting in grafting of a polymer coating on the porous membrane, particularly a nitrocellulose membrane. See FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
• the epoxy group- containing compound e.g., GMA
• the functional group B grafted to the porous membrane are then available to react with amine and other chemical groups present on a biomolecule of interest, leading to increased binding of the biomolecule to the modified porous membrane.
• Increased specific binding of a biomolecule, such as an antibody can improve the sensitivity and specificity of, for example, immunoassays.
• the dosage of e-beam radiation used in the methods of grafting a polymer coating onto a porous membrane is selected to maximize the amount of the polymer coating that is grafted to the porous membrane while also limiting degradation of the porous membrane (e.g., nitrocellulose membrane) known to result from e-beam irradiation.
• the appropriate dose of e-beam radiation used in the preparation of the modified porous membranes of the invention will need to be optimized experimentally.
• the dose of e-beam radiation used in the methods to prepare a modified porous membrane may be in the range of less than 1 kGy to approximately 50 kGy.
• the design of assays to optimize parameters such as the amount of the polymer coating, co-solvent, and the dose of e-beam radiation appropriate for use in the methods of the invention is standard and well within the routine capabilities of those of skill in the art.
• the modified porous membranes of the invention find use in various biological applications that are dependent upon the immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane (e.g., a nitrocellulose membrane), including but not limited to immunoassays, in vitro diagnostic tests, and techniques for the isolation of a biomolecule of interest.
• a porous membrane e.g., a nitrocellulose membrane
• Nitrocellulose membranes are of particular use in biological techniques because of their unique ability to immobilize nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA) for use in Southern and
• nnitrocellulose membranes are widely used as the substrate in diagnostic tests wherein antigen- antibody binding provides the test result (e.g., home pregnancy tests).
• nitrocellulose membranes Although the ability of unmodified nitrocellulose membranes to bind biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins is beneficial, the modification of porous membranes, particularly nitrocellulose membranes, to facilitate the immobilization of biomolecules (e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein, more particularly an antibody), provides significant advantages over the binding of these biomolecules to unmodified porous membranes (e.g., nitrocellulose membranes).
• biomolecules e.g., DNA, RNA, and protein, more particularly an antibody
• a method for improving immobilization of a biomolecule on a porous membrane comprises providing a modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating as disclosed herein, incubating the modified porous membrane in a solution of a biomolecule, washing the porous membrane to remove unbound material, and thereby improving immobilization of the biomolecule to the porous membrane.
• the porous membrane may be washed in an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, particularly a non-ionic surfactant, more particularly Tween- 20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate), to further minimize non-specific binding to the modified porous membrane.
• a surfactant particularly a non-ionic surfactant, more particularly Tween- 20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate)
• Tween- 20TM polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
• the biomolecule immobilized on the modified porous membrane, particularly a nitrocellulose membrane is DNA, RNA, or a protein, such as an antibody.
• Methods for improving the sensitivity of an immunoassay are also described herein comprising providing a modified porous membrane comprising the polymer coating described in detail herein (e.g., a polymer coating of GMA), incubating the modified porous membrane in a solution of a first antibody that specifically binds to an antigen, thereby resulting in immobilization of the antibody on the modified porous membrane, washing the modified porous membrane to remove excess, non-immobilized antibody, incubating the modified porous membrane comprising the immobilized antibody in a biological sample that may contain the analyte (e.g., antigen) that specifically binds to the immobilized antibody on the modified nitrocellulose membrane, and detecting binding of the antigen in the biological sample to the antibody immobilized on the modified porous membrane.
• analyte e.g., antigen
• the biological sample may be first incubated with a second antibody that also specifically binds to the antigen of interest, wherein the second antibody is conjugated to a detectable substance.
• detectable substances include but are not limited to an enzyme, a prosthetic group, a fluorescent dye, a luminescent material, a bioluminescent material, a radioactive material, or gold particles.
• the biological sample pre-incubated with an antibody conjugated to a detectable substance is then incubated with a modified porous membrane comprising a polymer coating of, for example, GMA.
• the presence of the detectable substance on the antibody pre-incubated with the biological sample permits detection of the antigen in the biological sample being analyzed.
• modified porous membrane e.g., a nitrocellulose membrane
• increased antibody immobilization on the modified porous membrane reduces the amount of antibody needed to detect the presence of an antigen of interest, improved "capture" of the antigen from the biological sample because of the increased amount of antibody immobilized on the modified porous (e.g., a nitrocellulose membrane), leading to an increase in the antigen bound to the immobilized antibody, and a reduced amount of antibody in the biological sample to detect the presence of the biomolecule in the biological sample.
• immunoassays exist in the art, including those for drug testing, hormones, numerous disease -related proteins, tumor protein markers, and protein markers for cardiac injury. Immunoassays are also used to detect antigens on infectious agents such as Hemophilus, Cryptococcus, Streptococcus, Hepatitis B virus, HIV, Lyme disease, and Chlamydia trichomatis. These immunoassay tests are commonly used to identify patients with these and other diseases. Accordingly, compositions and methods for improving the sensitivity, specificity, and detection limits in immunoassays are of great importance in the field of diagnostic medicine.
• analyte refers to a substance or chemical constituent whose presence or absence in, for example, a biological sample is being determined via an immunoassay or other diagnostic test.
• Biomolecule refers without limitation to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA) or a protein (e.g., an antibody) but further includes any organic molecule removed from an organism (e.g., a human patient).
• GMA was grafted to a nitrocellulose membrane (e.g., an un-backed nitrocellulose membrane ("NC”) or a polyester (PE)-backed nitrocellulose membrane ("PE-backed
• NC at either the three or six carbon position on the nitrocellulose backbone using an aqueous solution comprising an 8% GMA (v/v) solution in Tween-20TM (polyoxyethylene
• the membranes were slowly dipped into the GMA solution to saturate the membrane, and the excess solution was removed.
• the nitrocellulose membranes were then exposed to e-beam radiation using an EBLAB-150 (Advance Electron Beams, Wilmington, MA) at a dosage of 10 kGy or 50 kGy at 125 kV with the nitrocellulose membrane passing under the e-beam at 50 feet per minute.
• the membrane was washed three times in deionized water and then agitated in several changes of deionized water for 1-2 hours.
• the nitrocellulose membrane was dried overnight at 50°C and 25 mm Hg, and the weight gain after GMA grafting was determined.
• nitrocellulose membranes were first exposed to e-beam radiation and then dipped in the aqueous GMA solution, but the remainder of the experiments were performed using this grafting process was carried out as set forth above. Those experiments in which the nitrocellulose membrane was first irradiated are indicated in the tables provided herein below.
• the percentage weight gain (e.g., relative to that of an unmodified membrane) of the un-backed (“NC”) and PE-backed (“PE-backed NC”) nitrocellulose membranes following GMA grafting at various e-beam radiation doses is provided in Table 1.
• the weight gain is expressed as the percentage weight gain relative to that of unmodified unbacked or PE-backed nitrocellulose membrane, as appropriate.
• nitrocellulose membranes were analyzed by ATR FT-IR using a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 FTIR spectrophotometer (PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences, Sheraton, CT).
• ATR FT-IR FTIR spectrophotometer
• the carboxylic peak in GMA and in Tween-20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate) as individual components appears at 1717 and 1737 run "1 , respectively.
• the generation of a carboxylic group as a result of GMA introduction yields a peak around 1730 cm "1 on the spectrum in the nitrocellulose-GMA samples.
• No Tween-20TM polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate was detected in the nitrocellulose-GMA samples by ATR FT-IR. See FIG. 3.
• the hydrodynamic radius of the nitrocellulose moiety is around 22+2 A, which is identical to that of the GMA moiety (23+3 A). See FIG. 5B.
• the hydrodynamic radius of the nitrocellulose moiety for the nitrocellulose sample grafted with GMA at an e-beam dosage of kGy is 80+10 A, which is identical to that of the GMA moiety (80+11 A). See FIG. 5C.
• Tween-20TM polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
• the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA as described above were further characterized to assess membrane thickness, capillary rise, and mechanical strength (e.g., stress and strain).
• the modified nitrocellulose membranes were grafted with GMA as described in Example 1 using a 10 kGy or 50 kGy e-beam dosage.
• the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA exhibited a 15-20% increase in membrane thickness and an approximately 10% slower capillary flow rate relative to the unmodified nitrocellulose membranes. Moreover, although e-beam treatment resulted in membrane degradation of the modified nitrocellulose membranes, the polymers of GMA grafted to these nitrocellulose membranes improved their mechanical strength (e.g., stress and strain). Table 3: Characterization of Modified Nitrocellulose Membranes Grafted with GMA
• Tween-20TM e.g., polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
• the nitrocellulose membranes were analyzed by both fluorescence scanning and colorimetric analysis to assess protein binding.
• the fluorescence scanning analysis was performed using a GE Typhoon 9400 Fluorescence Scanner with excitation/emission wavelengths of 485 nm and 520 nm, respectively.
• Colorimetric analysis of the nitrocellulose membranes was performed using the publically available ImageJ processing program, using an unmodified nitrocellulose membrane to serve as the baseline. The results of these analyses are shown in FIG. 6.
• the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA retained 2-3 fold more protein relative to the amount of protein able to bind to the unmodified nitrocellulose membranes. This result was observed with all of the different reaction conditions tested. Furthermore, increasing the ionic strength and pH of the reaction buffer improved the protein binding efficiency such that detection times of the bound protein were significantly reduced (e.g., 15 hours to 2 hours).
• Lateral flow assays that require the immobilization of a protein, more particularly an antibody, on a solid phase material form the basis of a number of in vitro diagnostic tests.
• a protein more particularly an antibody
• This technology is commercially available home pregnancy tests which rely on the immobilization of an antibody that recognizes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that is produced in high levels during pregnancy.
• hCG human chorionic gonadotropin
• Techniques to assess the utility of the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA in lateral flow assays were designed based on this pregnancy test model.
• a control and a test line were deposited on unmodified or modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA using inkjet printing in accordance with standard techniques in the art.
• a basic inkjet formulation containing glycerol, Triton X-100, and CMC was used to prepare the control line further contained 0.5 mg/ml goat anti-mouse IgG.
• the ink for the test line additionally contained 1 mg/ml of an anti-HCG-a antibody.
• the strips were then dipped into 100 ⁇ of running buffer containing various concentrations of hCG (0, 40-80, or 400-800 mlU/ml), 0.5% Tween- 20TM (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate) as a blocking agent, and a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-anti-HCG- antibody conjugate as the reporting agent. After 20-30 minutes, the assay was completed. The colorimetric reporting signal intensity was assessed both by visual inspection and by ImageJ analysis to obtain a quantitative comparison. The results obtained with the lateral flow assays using unmodified (NC) or modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA (NC-GMA) are presented in FIG. 7.
• the colorimetric reporting signal was visible within approximately 3-5 minutes in the assays performed with the unmodified nitrocellulose membranes and within about only 1 minute in those assays that used the modified GMA-grafted nitrocellulose membranes. A 250% increase in signal intensity of the test line was observed on the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with GMA relative to that on the unmodified nitrocellulose membranes. No difference in the background signal was observed between the unmodified and modified nitrocellulose membranes during the time frame of the assay.
• Example 5 Decreased Detection Limit Requirements of hCG Using Modified Nitrocellulose Membranes in Lateral Flow Assays
• Unmodified or modified nitrocellulose membrane strips were printed with an inkjet printer with a first antibody that specifically binds to hCG-a.
• the unmodified or modified nitrocellulose membrane strips were assembled into 5 mm half-stick lateral flow devices.
• Running buffer was prepared by mixing different concentrations of hCG samples with a second antibody that specifically binds to anti-hCG- ⁇ .
• the anti-hCG- ⁇ antibodies were conjugated to the detectable substance gold nanoparticles.
• the running buffer contained a range of concentrations of hCG of approximately 0.1 to 500 mlU/ml.
• the running buffer further comprised 0.5% Tween-20TM (e.g., polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate).
• the 5 mm half- stick lateral flow devices were dipped in 100 ⁇ running buffer, and the assay was completed within thirty (30) minutes.
• the results obtained with the unmodified and the modified nitrocellulose membranes grafted with polymers of GMA were quantified using an LRE colorimetric reflectance reader to assess antigen- antibody binding.
• the results demonstrate improved signal intensity across the entire hCG concentration range.
• the increased signal intensity was detected at hCG levels significantly lower than those obtained in corresponding examples using unmodified nitrocellulose membrane strips.
• the detection limit is 0.5 mlU/ml for the half-stick made from the modified nitrocellulose grafted with GMA, which is more than
• Example 6 Decreased Detection Time of hCG Using Modified Nitrocellulose Membranes in Lateral Flow Assays

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• 2012
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