High-throughput optimization of surfaces for antibody immobilization using metal complexes

Using a high-throughput surface discovery approach, we have generated a 1600-member library of metal-containing surfaces and screened them for antibody binding potential. The surface library assembly involved graft modification of argon plasma-treated polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF) membranes with alternating maleic anhydride-styrene copolymer followed by anhydride ring opening with a range of secondary amines and microarray contact printing of transition metal complexes. The microarrays of metal-containing surfaces were then tested for their antibody binding capacity by incubation with a biotinylated mouse antibody in a chemiluminescence assay. A total of 11 leads were identified from the first screen, constituting a “hit” rate of 0.7%. A smaller 135-member surface library was then synthesized and screened to optimize existing hits and generate additional leads. To demonstrate the applicability of these surfaces to other formats, high-binding surface leads were then transferred onto Luminex beads for use in a bead flow cytometric immunoassay. The novel one-step antibody coupling process increased assay sensitivity of a Luminex tumor necrosis factor immunoassay. These high-binding surfaces do not require prior incorporation of polyhistidine tags or posttreatments such as oxidation to achieve essentially irreversible binding of immunoglobulin G.