Enzyme-amplified protein microarray and a fluidic renewable surface fluorescence immunoassay for botulinum neurotoxin detection using high-affinity recombinant antibodies

Two immunoassay platforms were developed for either the sensitive or rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A), using high-affinity recombinant monoclonal antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the heavy chain of BoNT/A. These antibodies also bind the same epitopes of the receptor binding domain present on a nontoxic recombinant heavy chain fragment used for assay development and testing in the current study. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microarray using tyramide amplification for localized labeling was developed for the specific and sensitive detection of BoNT. This assay has the sensitivity to detect BoNT in buffer and blood plasma samples down to 14 fM (1.4 pg mL−1). Three capture antibodies and one antibody combination were compared in the development of this assay. Using a selected pair from the same set of recombinant monoclonal antibodies, a renewable surface microcolumn sensor was developed for the rapid detection of BoNT/A in an automated fluidic system. The ELISA microarray assay, because of its sensitivity, offers a screening test with detection limits comparable to the mouse bioassay, with results available in hours instead of days. The renewable surface assay is less sensitive but much faster, providing results in less than 10 min.