Patent Application
20050227275
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of high sensitivity detection of nucleic acid molecules by using a lateral flow nucleic acid detection system.
2. General Background and State of the Art
Advances in preventative medicine go a long way towards protecting today's soldiers from diseases such as mosquito-borne dengue fever when the soldiers are deployed to tropical or subtropical areas. Despite precautions taken in the field, however, some soldiers have still contracted dengue fever or the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). Rapid field-level detection of the disease is crucial to timely treatment and prevention of further outbreaks.
The family Flaviviridae contains almost 70 viruses including those causing yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile fever and Japanese encephalitis. Due to increases in global travel, outbreaks of these viruses have begun occurred outside the tropics with greater frequency. In the continental US, outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis virus and a recent outbreak of West Nile virus which started in New York City and expanded to the whole eastern coast of US. In addition, two mosquito vectors, Aedes Aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are present in the US and under certain circumstances, each could transmit dengue viruses. According to the CDC, this type of transmission has been detected in south Texas in 1980, 1986 and 1995, and has been associated with dengue epidemics in northern Mexico.
Dengue fever and DHF/DSS have emerged as the most important arthropod-borne viral diseases of humans (Gubler and Clark, Emerg Infect Dis. 1995 Apr.-Jun.;1(2):55-7). There are four distinct dengue virus types (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), each capable of causing disease in humans. The conserved 3′-noncoding sequences of four dengue virus serotypes have been successfully utilized to develop a TaqMan-based RT-PCR (funded by MIDRP STO A/L from 2002-2003) to quantitatively identify dengue viruses from different regions of the world.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides accurate pathogen identification, but requires rigorous sample preparation, complex reactive components of limited shelf life, precise temperature regulation, sophisticated hardware, a complex detection process, and trained personnel, all of which are difficult to secure in the field or in “real-time” conditions such as in the event of a bioterrorist attack.
This is appropriate for laboratory diagnosis, but is of limited utility in “real-time” field conditions where a rapid assessment of the nature and presence of biological contamination is vital to minimizing its impact. A chromatographic lateral assay principle applied as a protein detection method can be developed as a DNA detection system.
The critical link in most detection systems is to elicit a distinctive, detectable signal that is responsive to particular target sequences from the presence of a biological pathogen via non-polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid based approach.
The present invention is directed to a signal amplification system such as europium encapsulated microparticles and/or electroconductivity in conjunction with chromatographic lateral flow assay. This system is an improved nucleic acid detection system that retains all of the advantages of conventional immunochromatographic assay: 1) One step 2) Field-usable 3) Utilizes stable reagents 4) No special storage requirements 5) Rapid results. The amplified signal is measured by a small portable reader, which gives quantitative or qualitative results.
The invention is directed to scale up production of a fluorogenic nucleic acid reagent kit for serotype-specific target nucleic acid detection. The invention is further directed to lyophilized kit components, which are sensitive, specific and stable. Various concentrations of cultured pathogens such as viruses which include dengue virus or dengue virus cDNA may be detected.
In one embodiment, the inventive system employs ready to use lyophilized reagent pads for gene amplification. Reaction matrix may include buffers, dNTP's, RNAase inhibitor, reverse transcriptase, labeled specific primers such as dengue virus serotype specific primers (DEN-1, -2, -3, -4), lower primers, Biotin dUTP, Taq polymerase, internal control mRNA, and control mRNA specific primers. Biotin dUTP is added to label the nucleic acid amplified product in order to detect using a lateral flow assay and to amplify the indicator signal. Fluorogenic primers are designed to increase their fluorescence intensity when incorporated into the double-stranded PCR product (Nazarenko et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 May 1;30(9):e37) and to apply the PCR products to the lateral flow immunochromatographic assay to identify the dengue serotype.
In a preferred system of the invention, a time-resolved fluorescence technology is used, preferably a system based on europium embedded micro particles conjugated with anti-hapten antibody and time-resolved confocal scanning device for signal detection. This feature provides additional sensitivity of assay. This highly sensitive chromatographic lateral flow signal amplification system requires less threshold cycle number (Ct) than the fluorescence detection system. The inventive PCR product detection system is rapid (<30 min), a one step format, and stable (storage at <30 degrees C for more than 1 year). The assay is easy to operate, inexpensive, portable, uses heat-stable reagents, and has no special storage requirements. These features make it a fast and easy, ready-to-use RT-PCR kit in real time conditions by untrained personnel.
The inventive detection system may also be applied to detect any organism, including but not limited to pathogens such as militarily significant virus, including Flavivirus, such as Japanese Encephalitis virus, Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus, small pox and so on. Other pathogens include bacteria, such as Bacillus anthracis.
The present invention is also directed to non gene amplification based target nucleic acid based detection by using Europium based and/or electroconductivity based methods of target nucleic acid detection.
The inventive nucleic acid based detection system amplifies a signal from the low concentration of specific genomic DNA sequences from biological pathogens without rigorous sample preparation, complex reactive components of limited shelf life, sophisticated hardware, a complex detection process, or trained personnel. This method is also unique, specific, simple, and the amplifying system is easy to operate in a field-deployable detection module.
In a particular exemplification of the invention, the invention is directed to a real-time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technology of the dengue 3′-noncoding region based assay system into ready-to-use dengue virus detection and diagnosis system. A field deployable and user-friendly diagnostics device using lateral flow immunochromatographic assay is shown with and without real-time fluorogenic thermal cycler. The present invention allows dual application to the real time PCR and/or conventional PCR.
The invention is further directed to the detailed analysis result of serotype specific information in conjunction with the RT reactions. Multiplex PCR reaction may be carried out in a single tube (
It is to be understood that any suitable detection system may be used, including fluorescent, chemiluminescent, enzymatic or any other dye based system, so long as the binding of the probe to the target nucleic acid in a sample can be detectably assayed using the inventive lateral flow system. Such a dye system may include a molecular beacon type system with fluorescein based label, or it may contain other labels such as a biotin label with a colloidal gold conjugated avidin or streptavidin partner or any other detectable conjugable chemical such as a lanthanide element such as europium. Other types of detection labels and methods are within the purview of the invention.
The invention is further directed to a self-performing device. This rapid nucleic acid detection system contains all reagents and components in precise quantities to generate test results after sample addition. The system also may also have a built in heating pad to precisely match nucleotide target sequence identification based on probe oligonucleotide composition.
The target DNA of biological pathogen in the sample may react with the europium particle-labeled oligonucleotides, the europium particle-labeled Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) with Light Addressable Direct Electrical Readout (LADER), or electro conductivity. This europium labeled oligomer and electroconductivity detection method working in conjunction in a lateral flow assay system can increase sensitivity 10 to 1,000 times compared with colloidal gold microparticle. (
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a lateral flow device for detecting target nucleic acid comprising: a reservoir area, a dye area and a test area, wherein the reservoir area comprises ready to use nucleic acid amplification mix comprising primer labeled with a hapten and/or dNTP labeled with a hapten; the dye area comprises a specific binding partner to a first type of hapten linked to a reporter dye; and the test area comprises a specific binding partner to a second type of hapten. The device may contain a reservoir with more than one different second type of hapten where multiple forms of the target nucleic acid is being detected. The first type of hapten may be biotin, and its specific binding partner may be streptavidin, and the reporter dye may be europium or gold. Further, the second type of hapten may be biotin, fluorophore, or oligopeptide, and its specific binding partner may be streptavidin or an antibody specific to the flurophore or oligopeptide if a single form of the target nucleic acid is being detected. Further, the second type of hapten may be multiple types of fluorophores or oligopeptides and its specific binding partner may be an antibody specific to each type of fluorophore or oligopeptide. The source of the target nucleic acid may be a pathogen, which may be a virus such as dengue virus and the serotypes of the dengue virus particle may be detected by using different second types of hapten. Also, the primer may be molecular beacon type.
The present invention is also directed to a method of assaying for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising contacting the sample to the reservoir area of the device according described above, wherein if the target nucleic acid is present in the sample, the target nucleic acid is amplified and labeled with at least two types of hapten, and is transported to the dye area where the first hapten is bound to its specific binding partner linked to a reporter dye, and is further transported through the test area by capillary action, and is bound to the second type of hapten-specific binding partner on the test area, the detection of which indicates that the target nucleic acid is present in the sample. The reservoir may include more than one different second type of hapten where multiple forms of the target nucleic acid is being detected. The first type of hapten may be biotin, and its specific binding partner may be streptavidin, and the reporter dye may be europium or gold. The second type of hapten may be biotin, fluorophore, or oligopeptide, and its specific binding partner may be streptavidin or an antibody specific to the flurophore or oligopeptide if a single form of the target nucleic acid is being detected. The second type of hapten may be multiple types of fluorophores or multiple types of oligopeptides and their specific binding partner may be an antibody specific to each type of fluorophore or oligopeptide. The source of the target nucleic acid may be a pathogen.
The present invention is further directed to a method of assaying for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising contacting the sample to a reservoir area of a lateral flow device wherein if the target nucleic acid is present in the sample, the target nucleic acid is amplified and labeled with at least one type of hapten, and is transported to a dye area where the hapten is bound to its specific binding partner linked to a reporter dye, and is further transported through the test area by capillary action, and is bound to target specific oligonucleotide in the test area, the detection of which indicates that the target nucleic acid is present in the sample, wherein the detection is by light addressable direct electrical readout or by detection of the reporter dye. The hybridization in the test area may be controlled by built in heating pad in the lateral flow device. The hapten may be biotin, and its specific binding partner is streptavidin, and the reporter dye may be europium or gold.
The invention is also directed to a method of assaying for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising contacting a sample to a reservoir area of a lateral flow device wherein if the target nucleic acid is present in the sample, the target nucleic is transported through the test area by capillary action and is bound to target specific oligonucleotide labeled with Europium. Further, the target nucleic acid may be amplified before being transported to the test area. Amplification may not be necessary if using as sensitive an assay where electroconductivity and europium detection are being used.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below, and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein;
In the present application, “a” and “an” are used to refer to both single and a plurality of objects.
As used herein, “multiple forms of target nucleic acid” refers to multiple isoforms or serotypes of a target nucleic acid, such as dengue virus, which may have four serotypes.
As used herein, “nucleic acid” or “oligonucleotide” as the terms are used in the probe setting refers to any string of nucleotides. Thus, DNA, RNA or PNA are included.
As used herein, “nucleic acid amplification” refers to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), Qβ replicase, strand displacement assay (SDA), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), or cascade rolling circle amplification (CRCA).
As used herein, “ready to use” in the context of nucleic acid amplification refers to all of the necessary reagents and enzymes to carry out the target nucleic acid amplification upon contact with the sample that includes the target nucleic acid.
In one aspect, the invention is directed to raising signal for nucleic acid detection. The method may comprise using a variety of labels or haptens to sensitively measure the signal.
In one aspect of the invention, the ready-to-use nucleic acid amplification pre-mix may be included in a container. The sample may be added to the pre-mix and the nucleic acid amplification carried out. The pre-mix may contain reagents for nucleic acid amplification including primers that are differentially labeled at the 5′ and/or 3′ ends. For real-time PCR application, the 5′ and 3′ ends of a single primer may be differentially labeled in the molecular beacon style with a fluorophore at one end and a quencher at the other end. Each of these labels may be considered haptens as antibodies against these labels are available and may be generated. Further, the body of the amplified product may be optionally labeled with a hapten labeled dNTP, such as biotin. The pre-mix may be dried or freeze-dried, and the pre-mix may be suitable for amplification by isothermal amplification PCR and/or real time PCR.
For lateral flow assay, the haptenized or labeled amplified nucleic acid or non-amplified genomic DNA containing the target nucleic acid (usually cut) that is able to flow to the dye area is contacted on the lateral flow assay device at the reservoir area, which contains reagents that are suitable for hybridization conditions or antibody/antigen binding conditions or other specific binding pair conditions.
The nucleic acid may then travel to the dye area, which contains a specific binding partner to the target nucleic acid complex of nucleic acid and the haptens that are attached to the nucleic acid. Thus, the specific binding partner may be a target-specific oligonucleotide, an antibody to one of the haptens or a high affinity ligand such as streptavidin, which binds with high affinity to biotin. The specific binding partner may be linked or conjugated to a dye, preferably a highly sensitive dye, such as europium or gold to form a complex of target nucleic-specific binding partner-dye. Alternatively, the specific binding partner may be further haptenized with a different label. Further, for the oligonucleotide specific binding partner, the label may be europium, fluorophore, FITC, biotin, oligopeptide and so on, so long as the label is detectable by any means.
As the complex moves to the test area, the test area may be immobilized with another specific binding partner to one of the other haptens in the target nucleic acid complex such as an oligonucleotide specific for the target nucleic acid, whereupon the binding of the complex to the different specific binding partner on the test area indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid. The oligonucleotide that is used in the dye area and immobilized in the test area may be a peptide nucleic acid or RNA. In the case of a DNA oligonucleotide immobilized on the test area, hybridization of the target nucleic acid complex with the oligonucleotide on the test area generates an electroconductivity signal, which can be measured by the highly sensitive LADER assay. Further when the europium labeled oligonucleotide is hybridized to the oligonucleotide or PNA immobilized on the test area, highly sensitive assay is made which combines the sensitivities of LADER assay and europium assay. For instance, if europium labeled portion at one is bound then europium will yield a strong signal. If the europium labeled area is not bound to the immobilized nucleic acid, but only the non-europium labeled part of the nucleic acid is bound, then the LADER conductivity is available as an alternative assay.
In another aspect of the invention, the test area may be immobilized with a target specific oligonucleotide and/or at least one other specific binding partner for one of the haptens to further differentiate and specify the target nucleic acid. Thus, in one specific embodiment, a specific binding partner to one of the haptens on the target nucleic acid such as specific to either the 5′ label or the 3′ label may be immobilized in the test area, and an oligonucleotide probe to the target nucleic acid may also be immobilized so that detection the target nucleic acid is made with greater specificity.
The description below exemplifies detecting dengue virus using the nucleic acid amplification method of PCR, however, it is understood that any pathogen may be detected using any chemically driven nucleic acid amplification method such as PCR, LCR, NASBA and so on.
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) provides accurate viral pathogen identification, but as used conventionally currently requires rigorous sample preparation, complex reactive components of limited shelf life, precise temperature regulation, sophisticated hardware, a complex detection process, and trained personnel. This is appropriate for laboratory diagnosis, but is of limited utility in “real-time” field conditions.
The inventive system optimizes and scales up production of the RT-PCR reagent kits for generic and serotype-specific microorganism detection, including dengue virus detection. Special freeze-drying protocol is developed to generate dried and ready-to-use dengue assay kits that contain all the components for RT reaction multiplex PCR reaction in a single tube. The kits can be used in either general thermal cyclers or real time PCR thermal cyclers such as fluorogenic PCR thermal cyclers.
Extraction of Viral RNA
Viral RNAs are extracted from virus suspensions of the virus infected sera, such as dengue-infected sera according to QiAamp Viral RNA Handbook (Qiagen Inc. Valencia, Calif. 91355).
Design Synthesis of Molecular Beacon Serotype Specific Primers
Molecular beacons are “hairpin” oligonucleotides that form a stem-and-loop structure and possess an internal reporter signal, such as fluorescent reporter and quencher molecule. When they form a hairpin structure, the fluorescent reporters and the quencher molecules are close together and the fluorescence is suppressed. When they bind to complementary target sequence, they undergo a conformational transition that switches on their fluorescence (Bonnet et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 May 25;96(11):6171-6.). The hairpin molecular beacon can be used as a fluorogenic PCR primer or a fluorogenic probe. When the oligonucleotide primer is modified to form hairpin structure with fluorophore, this primer can provide a low initial fluorescence of the primers that increases up to 8-fold upon formation of the PCR product (Nazarenko et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 May 1;30(9):e37). The hairpin oligonucleotides may be as efficient as linear primers and provide additional specificity to the PCR by preventing primer-dimers and mispriming.
Based on this previous study, upper primers may be modified to form a hairpin structure (
In another aspect of the invention, the fluorescein also functions as a hapten antigen to react with anti-hapten antibody to identify serotype specific PCR products using lateral flow rapid one step identification test kit.
Design Synthesis of Anti-Sense Primers and RT Primers
A generic anti-sense primer DV-L1 (nucleotide residue 368-388) with good homology among 3′-noncoding sequences of dengue 1-3 are designated as the RT primer for these viruses. Even though the dengue 4 genome shares significant homology with DV-L1 sequence, there are five nucleotide mismatches within the DV-L1 primer as shown in
Multiplex RT-PCR reaction in a single tube The RT reactions and multiplex PCR reaction may be carried out in a single tube (
PCR Result Identification
A commercially available real time fluorogenic PCR system can be used for this ready-to-use kit. Depending upon the fluorescence detection system, a ready-to-use kit can be adjusted for customization. In addition, this kit can be used under non-ideal laboratory conditions without a real time thermal cycler.
The lateral flow immunochromatographic assay is an alternative system to identify amplified PCR products. This method is unique, specific, and easy to operate in a field-deployable system. This system works for virtually all biological pathogens and viruses and provides a secure result in the field or in “real-time” conditions such as in the event of a U.S. soldier deployment to a dengue endemic area.
Non PCR Lateral Flow Nucleic Acid Detection
A configuration of a rapid, self-performing nucleic acid detection system is shown in
Lateral Flow Assay with Time-Resolved Fluorescence
Ultra-sensitive time-resolved fluorescent (TRF) dye is used in the lateral flow assay format. This ensures improved sensitivity while maintaining the beneficial aspects of a lateral flow assay. Nanosized TRF dye contains 30,000-2,000,000 europium molecules entrapped by β-diketones, which possess one of the highest quantum yields of the known lanthanide chelators (Harma, Technology Review 126/2002, TEKES, National Technology Agency, Helsinki 2002). This encapsulation has substantially no effect on the fluorescence efficiency of the dye. For a typical 100 nm size europium particle, the fluorescence yield is equivalent to about 3,000 molecules of fluorescein. By comparison, phycobiliprotein B-PE (perhaps the most fluorescent substance known) has a fluorescence yield equivalent to about 30 fluorescein molecules. Since a 100 nm particle is about 10 times the diameter of phycobiliprotein B-PE and a thousand times greater in volume/mass, Seradyn europium particles are 100 times more fluorescent than B-PE on a molar basis, but only 10% as fluorescent on a volume/mass basis (Seradyn, Color-Rich™ Dyed and Fluoro-Max™ Florescent Microparticles Technical Bulletins 1999). The lateral flow assay with this TRF dye particle can increase detection sensitivity up to pg/ml level which means that threshold cycle number (Ct) can be decreased up to 10 cycles. This feature provides additional specificity.
The system requires a simple and self-performing one-step method that does not require complicated and expensive automated instrument. An example of a small plastic piece that contains an inventive self-performing assay strip and its test outcome is shown in
Multiple analyte detection with single sampling and no further procedural steps is possible with the assay system provided herein. An immunochromatography assay system is preferred. If various antibody-dye conjugates are embedded in the dye pad area and antibody specific for each reporter dye is respectively immobilized in separate zone on membrane, each test line will provide distinctive information for each specific dengue serotypes (
Field Deployable Detection System
Field deployable detection system is contemplated. A strip reader may be used to detect the presence of the sample. For example, an instrument for measuring time-resolved lanthanide emission may be used, which is equipped with a nitrogen laser, a diffraction grating spectrometer, a charge coupled device (CCD) and a mechanical chopper for time gating.
The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The following examples are offered by way of illustration of the present invention, and not by way of limitation.
Below is a stepwise procedure exemplifying a dengue virus cDNA for positive control and rabbit globin mRNA for internal control. The overall design of amplified PCR product identification system is described.
Design of Molecular Beacon Primers
Molecular beacon primers using Beacon Designer 2 (Bio-Rad) primer and probe design software are designed.
Preparation of Dual Labeled Molecular Beacon Primers
Various reporter fluoresceins (Oregon Green® (517nm), 6-FAM™ (520 nm), HEX™ (556 nm), TAMRA™ (573 nm), Texas Red® (603 nm), Bodipsy® (640 nm), etc) are labeled to the third or fourth base (T) from the 3′ end. Quencher fluorescein (Iowa black™ quenching range from 520 nm to 700 nm)) are labeled to the extended 5′ end, complementary sequence to the 3′ end. All reporter dyes and quenchers are available from Integrated DNA Technology, Inc. (Coralville, Iowa) and Molecular Probes, Inc. (Eugene, Oreg.).
Internal Quality Control System
The ready-to-use kit contains 1 ng of rabbit globin mRNA and each of two globin-specific PCR primers as an internal reaction control. The PCR product of rabbit globin mRNA is detected by lateral flow identification kit at the control zone. This control zone intensity can be used as a reference for a semi quantitative result.
Ready-to-Use RT-PCR Reaction Kit
Various matrix media such cellulose, glass fiber, polyester or rayon and so forth are evaluated. The formulated components listed below are dried under a constant vacuum in a lyophilizer. The matrix is selected with respect to optimal reagent reconstitution and RT-PCR reaction.
The list of formulated components:
The main purpose of this step is to find the optimal freeze-drying and key components storage conditions combined with release of all components and reconstitution under RT-PCR reaction. Various combinations of the chemicals such as but not limited to buffers, detergents, sugars and polymers and biological materials such as proteins and other biological polymers are tested to find the best conditions. Ready-to-use RT-PCR kit is tested by a iCycler IQ™ (BioRad) and ABI 7700 real-time fluorogenic thermal cycler. MgCl2 concentration is a significant factor for a successful lateral flow assay. The preferred range for MgCl2 concentration is not higher than about 1.5 mM as above a certain amount of MgCl2 primer dimmers and false positive results are seen. Addition of Biotin dUTP increases sensitivity because of either more capturing or more indicator binding capability (Table 1). Substrate inhibition was overcome by controlling the labeled and unlabeled ratio and applying excessive capture and indicator amount.
Table 1 shows comparison data between amplified PCR results with labeled primers and amplified PCR result with labeled primers and biotin dUTP incorporation for Dengue virus serotype 2 detection.
Lateral Flow Rapid PCR Product Identification Test Kit
Configuration of the Test
The inventive test kit is designed to be a self-performing device. Lateral flow rapid PCR product identification test kit such as depicted in
The test may be performed on-site by a person with minimal training and rapid results are available within 10 minutes after adding one or two drops of DNA extracted sample to the disposable test card. The labeled streptavidin and target DNA complex is captured by test and control areas. Test area distinguishes each serotype specific PCR products and this area can be detected by a reader equipped with a time-resolved fluorescence scanning device when Europium is used as the signal detection label. A separate control area detects any amplified PCR product as an internal quality control system. This control area reaction assures that the key test components are functioning properly.
Preparation of Capture Anti-Dye Antibody Immobilization
Antibodies to fluorescent dyes provide unique opportunities both for signal enhancement and for secondary detection of PCR products labeled with fluorescent dyes. Various anti-fluorophore antibodies are available from Molecular Probes, Inc. (Eugene, Oreg.). Each antibody is printed using a printing machine (BioDot Corp.) at various concentrations between 0.5 and 2 mg/ml with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm. The quality of the visible bands and binding characteristics of antibodies can be checked by Ponceau's method (Hassan, J., et al, J. Clin. Lab. Immunol., 24:104, 1987).
Preparation of Anti-Hapten Antibody Conjugated Microparticle
Europium Particles
Various particle-sizes (50 nm-300 nm) of europium particles were purchased from Seradyn (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Molecular Probes (Eugene, Oreg.). The carboxyl group of europium chelate nanoparticles were activated with 10 mmol/L N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide and 100 mmol/L N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide for 30 min. The activated particle was washed once with 50 mM MES buffer, pH 6.1. Antibody or streptavidin was added 5 mg/L. After 2 hour incubation, the antibody or streptavidin coated particles were washed three times with 50 mM MES buffer, pH 6.1.
Gold Particles
Various particle-size (20 nm-200 nm) gold particles were purchased from British Biocell International (UK). To optimum conjugation, pH of the colloidal gold solution was adjusted to 6.5. Antibody or streptavidin was added 5 mg/L. After 15 minute incubation, 2 g/L of bovine serum albumin was added. The antibody or streptavidin coated particles were washed two times with 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4.
Optimization of Microparticle Conjugation to Streptavidin
The effects of the concentration of streptavidin, blocking formulation of the conjugate and storage of conjugate are measured under various conditions. The covalent cross-linking is also determined. Conjugation yield and scale-up feasibility are important decision factors in selecting an optimized system.
Optimization of Microparticle Conjugation to Anti-Hapten Antibody
The effects of the concentration of the anti-hapten antibodies, blocking formulation of the conjugate and storage of conjugate are measured under various conditions. The covalent cross-linking is also determined. Conjugation yield and scale-up feasibility are important decision factors in selecting an optimized system.
Kit Formulation
Dye Area
The main purpose of this step is to find optimal dye-streptavidin or hapten-antibody conjugate storage conditions combined with release of the labeled streptavidin or the antibody under wet assay conditions. Various combinations of chemicals such as but not limited to buffers, detergents, sugars and polymers and biological materials such as proteins and other biological polymers are tested to find the best conditions.
Reservoir Area
Since the sample is applied to the reservoir area, the sample is conditioned to optimal condition for assay with various combinations of the chemicals and biological materials.
Wicking Membrane
Since this component facilitates the capillary migration of the nucleic acid sample, it should efficiently mobilize nucleic acid, allow immuno-reaction between the labeled target nucleic acid bound to the capture streptavidin and provide strong capillary action for a prolonged time period. Finding optimum concentrations of detergent with proper stabilizers is also important.
Lateral Flow Assay
Configuration of this system is similar to the antigen-antibody immunochromatographic assay, but streptavidin is conjugated to the colloidal gold particle and the signal can be generated by streptavidin-biotin interaction. Serotype 2 specific primer was labeled with fluorescent hapten such as rhodamine red. Anti-rhodamine red antibody was immobilized onto the nitrocellulose membrane. The sample passes first through the reservoir pad and flows, by capillary action, to the dye area where serotype specific PCR products of dengue virus react with the colloidal gold conjugated streptavidin. The reaction complex thus formed then migrates through the wicking membrane where anti-fluorescent dye antibody embedded test and control area.
Lateral flow dengue virus serotype 2 tests were successfully applied to detect and identify dengue virus serotype 2 specific PCR amplification. The detection limit of dengue virus serotype 2 test was <100 pg/test, corresponding to <1 femto mole/test. Theoretically, this sensitivity is enough to detect amplified PCR products from single digit copies of dengue virus cDNA.
The reported dengue virus serotype 2 tests can be performed on-site by a person with minimal training and rapid results are available within 10 minutes after adding PCR products to the disposable test card. Also, this system is a simple and self-performing one-step method that does not require complicated and expensive laboratory conditions.
Preparation of Fluorecein Isothiocyanate (FITC) Conjugated Oligonucleotide
Fluorecein isothiocyanate (FITC) was purchased from Sigma. For the conjugation, 5′ of dengue virus type 2 forward primer was modified with twelve-carbon chain (C12) amino modifier linker. (
Preparation of Lateral Flow Assay
Streptavidin is conjugated to the colloidal gold particle and the signal can be generated by antigen-antibody reaction. Biotin molecule is conjugated at the 5′ end of reverse primer (DV. L1). FITC molecule is conjugated at the 5′ end of forward primer (DV2.U). Amplified PCR products with those modified forward and reverse primer contain both biotin and FITC molecules. Biotin dUTP is incorporated during the PCR amplification. When this sample is applied to the testing strip, biotin tags of amplified PCR products react with colloidal gold conjugated with streptavidin. And then the PCR product-gold conjugate complex migrate through the nitrocellulose membrane by chromatographic capillary power. The complex is captured by the immobilized anti-FITC antibody. Depending on the amount of captured gold or europium particle, visible signal is generated (
Preparation of Biotin Labeled Forward Primers of Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3
Biotin molecule was conjugated at the 5′ end of Dengue virus forward primers (DV 1.U, DV2.U, and DV3.U). Each forward primer was modified with six carbon chain (C6) linker at the 5′ (
Preparation of Rhodamine Red Labeled Reverse Primer (DV. L1)
Reverse primer was modified with rhodamine red molecule conjugated at the 5′ end of reverse primer (DV.L1) (
Preparation of Oligopetide Labeled Reverse Primer (DV2. U)
Forward primer was modified with synthetic oligopeptide molecule conjugated at the 5′ end of the primer (DV2.U) (
Assay Procedure for the Strip Format Assay (
1) Sample Application
Amplified PCR product at the various template concentrations, gold or europium conjugate and buffer are mixed, and are contacted added on a nitrocellulose membrane.
2) Assay Buffer
PBS containing detergent was prepared following conventional methods.
3) Assay
Read test result after 10 minute
Assay Procedure for the Device Format Assay (
1) Sample Application
Amplified PCR products at the various template concentrations were added on the sample well, such as 2 μl of PCR product.
2) Assay Buffer
PBS containing detergent was prepared using conventional methods and a couple of drop of a developer solution specific for the signal detection label are contacted with the device on the nitrocellulose.
3) Assay
Read test result after 10 minute
Lateral Flow Assay with Electroconductivity and Europium Labeled Oligonucleotides
Light Addressable Direct Electrical Readout (LADER)'s principle is based on the difference in conductivity of oligonucleotides in single strand (“isolating”) and double strand (“conducting”) form. This conductivity difference can be regarded as a switch. A molecular electrical circuit is build up by connecting the capture probes to an electrode, attaching an electron-donor/-acceptor complex (DA) and adding a dissolved active component. The electron-donor/-acceptor complex acts as a second, light induced switch. Incident light induces a charge transfer from D to A and from there the electron can be transferred to the electrode, if the probe is hybridised. Charge refilling of the DA-complex by the active component closes the circle and continuous cycling generates a highly amplified read-out signal. LADER principle is described in EP 1144685 B1, which describes protecting photosynthetic reaction centers and similar systems as electrochemical complexes for the LADER technology, and DE 19921940 C2, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety with regard to the operation of the electroconductivity technology.
Donor/acceptor complex works well in pigment/protein complex known in photosynthesis as a reaction centre, capable of transferring an electron from the porphyrin-donor to the chinon-acceptor within 100 ps after light induction. This pigment/protein complex can be easily divided into the chinon-acceptor and the remaining (apo-)protein. The chinon-acceptor is modified in a way that it can be covalently attached to the oligonucleotide capture probe on the one hand and to the (apo-)protein on the other hand after reconstitution of the apo-protein to the probe-bound chinon-acceptor.
The approach is described in the reaction scheme of
The readings may be read and interpreted and are identified qualitatively and quantitatively by automatic comparison between the reference and measurement signals at each individual spot.
The conductivity of double stranded DNA vs. single stranded DNA and the associated tunnelling parameter, was further probed by determination of the electron transfer rate constant for DNA single and double strands of varying length with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Chromatographic Assay with Conductivity Detector
Configuration of self-performing rapid nucleic acid detection system (
The proposed test may be performed on-site by a person with minimal training and rapid results are available within 30 minutes after adding one or two drops of DNA extracted sample to the disposable test card. The labeled oligonucleotide probe and target DNA complex is captured by conductivity labeled test and control area. Test area displays target sequence and this area can be detected by a reader equipped with a time-resolved fluorescence scanning device and/or conductivity reader. A separate control area displays counter oligonucleotides sequences of europium-labeled oligonucleotides. This control area reaction assures that the key test components are functioning properly.
The chromatographic lateral flow assay is an amplification system. The target DNAs in liquid sample are steadily concentrated by electric affinity to the charged testing area on a membrane when they are moving through the membrane by capillary power. Even where molecules exist at very low concentration, the actual concentration of the molecule in the test area is much higher than the one in the sample.
Built in Heating Pad
Lateral flow assay can be mounted on the heating PCB/PCP (printed circuit paper), which is printed high resistance metal (e.g. Nickel/Chrome alloy is available for heating purpose) on a base board. This system could have relatively precise temperature monitor and control at low price. Sample configurations are shown in
Diagram of Testing Device
A test kit is made of a disposable plastic case with two windows, one to view the control and test area, and the other providing a well to receive the sample as shown in
Inside the device is a test strip with two pads. The first pad contains buffers, detergents, and chemicals to ensure consistent test results, and also it contains target oligonucleotides conjugated europium particles in a specially formulated buffer system. The second pad is for removing the excess fluid that has already passed through the reaction membrane. Two types of oligonucleotides are separately immobilized on the test and control area of the nitrocellulose membrane as thin lines. The oligonucleotides specific to the target biological pathogens are immobilized in the test area, while the other oligonucleotides specific to europium labeled probe are immobilized in the control area. Instrument connectors are also included so that instruments for measuring time-resolved fluorescence or conductivity in situations where conductivity labels are used can be linked to the device.
Lateral Flow Assay with Electroconductivity with Europium Labeled Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs)
All of the methods and procedures described in Example 4 using nucleic acid as the probe for detecting target DNA is applicable for using peptide nucleic acid as the probe as well, including the use of various heat pads and test devices described therein.
Detection of HLA-DQU Sequence Polymorphism
The HLA-DQα2 genetic locus can be used for forensic analysis of individual identification as a genetic marker. A variety of analytic techniques have been used to detect genetic variation in PCR-amplified DNA.
Various haptens or fluorescent haptens may be labeled at the primers and probes. Accordingly, various sequences and size of oligopeptides may be used as a hapten; other small molecules, which may act as an epitope, may be used as a hapten, and various fluorescent haptens such as those listed in Table 2 may be used.
Anti-hapten antibodies are used as a counter part of the above haptens. Many anti-hapten antibodies are commercially available from such companies as Molecular Probes, Inc. Furthermore, anti-hapten antibodies may be immobilized on to a solid matrix or conjugated with various particles. By “various particles”, it is meant colloidal gold, latex particles, magnetic or paramagnetic particles, europium embedded latex particles and so on.
Gene Point of Care Test
In another embodiment of the invention, the invention is directed to a gene point of care testing device (GPOCT), which purpose is to provide a one step or simple step integrated genetic analysis system. The absorbent pad is connected to a matrix, which is connected to a reaction pad, wherein the captured antibody or antigen is immobilized on the matrix as a line or dot lateral flow assay for gene point of care test device. On the reaction pad is a reagent zone where the reaction sample (amplified sample) is applied and migrates to the next media.
Referring to
Reservoir system to remove solution and buffer components to concentrate DNA or RNA samples, and may comprise multi layer absorbent with special treatment, and extraction solution containing without limitation detergent and alkaline buffer.
This buffer can destroy the cell wall or membrane and expose genetic samples like DNA or RNA into the solution. It is contemplated that a protease may be added to remove histone like protein and cell walls. Alternatively, a separate solution capsule or multilayer film may be used.
Further various kinds of reservoir, carbon filter, ion exchange filter may be used. Moreover, the filter may be a semipermeable membrane with a molecular cutoff ranger from 60,000 to 300,000 D or higher and may be non-stick coated.
The filter system removes all potential inhibitors, small molecules, ions, and proteins. As a result, sample can be concentrated 10 to 1000 times from original extraction solution.
As shown in
Purified sample is applied, and in an alternative embodiment, the sample is applied and passed through a roller system, which controls the rate of flow of the sample. The sample then passes through a thermal sensor and heat control circuit, and passes through an amplification chamber, which may be comprised of 1. pad containing all required reagents; 2. freeze-dried preformulated reagent pad; and 3. for PCR reaction, this chamber (pad) contains Taq polymerase, dNTP, primers (tagged), other labeling monomer and so forth.
As the sample passes out of the amplification chamber, it is contacted with a reaction pad of the lateral flow assay. While on the lateral flow assay, the sample flows through a result window, wherein the result can be displayed by dot or line or any kind of detectable signal and flows on to absorbent pad.
Parts of the apparatus of the invention are described in detail herein below.
1. Thermal Sensor and Heat Control Circuit Unit.
Various kinds of conductive ink can be printed out on the surface of flexible matrix such as polyester, polycarbonate or polystyrene. Alternatively, various kinds of conductive ink such as carbon, carbon/silver blend, silver, silver/silver chloride, gold, platinum, UV cured dielectric, heat cured dielectric conductive ink may be printed on the substrate and generate proper heat to perform thermocycling variable temperature range from 30° C. to 100° C. Thus, temperature sensor and temperature control can be achieved by detecting and controlling their current and resistance.
Thermocycling may be achieved by setting two or three different temperatures and cycling at the temperature repeatedly 20-40 times. Thermocycling condition needs to be optimized depending on their primer sequence.
2. Amplification Pad
The amplification pad contains all reagents for isothermal amplification such as PCR or RFPCR. All reagents may be premixed and optimally formulated and freeze-dried. By all reagents, it means essential components for the amplification reaction. Such reagents may contain without limitation, following components: reverse transcriptase, DNA polymerase, Taq polymerase, PNAs primers, labeled primers, dNTPs, labeled dUTP, buffers, and stabilizers such as proteins, BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin), and EDTA. The amplification pad further may be reconstituted with specific volume of sample application. Primers may be immobilized with glass bead or latex bead to enhance amplification reaction and prevent substrate inhibition. By “substrate inhibition”, it is meant that non-reacted primer can inhibit the reaction between anti-tag antibody and polymerized primer. By “primer”, it is meant oligonucleotide or PNA (peptide nucleic acid) and oligonucleotide hybrid. By “glass bead” or “latex particle” it is meant microparticles. Microparticles may be available in a size range of 0.01-10.0 μm in diameter. Preferably, the diameter for this embodiment of the invention may be in a range of 0.1-10.0 μm.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,425 discloses a detection system, however, the '425 patent fails to disclose or suggest that a microparticle in the amplification pad may be used for preventing substrate inhibition.
Gene Chip
In another aspect of the gene point of care testing device, the invention is directed to a protein chip and gene chip. Regarding the gene chip, particular embodiments have been discussed in describing the gene point of care testing device. In a preferred embodiment, the device may comprise a nucleic acid extractor connected to a DNA or RNA purification chamber, which is further connected to an amplification or hybridization chamber, which is connected to a result window to view the signal generated (
In an embodiment of the invention, a sample is added into an extraction buffer container. Extracted DNA sample may be further added to Gene POCT, and the results may be read in 30 minutes by naked eye or a signal reader (
All of the references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims.
The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/560,197, filed Apr.7, 2004, and 60/567,845, filed May 3, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
This work is supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command under Contract No. DAMD17-03-C-0098.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60560197 | Apr 2004 | US | |
| 60567845 | May 2004 | US |
