Detection of phospholipase A2 in serum based on LRET mechanism between upconversion nanoparticles and SYBR green I

Abstract

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may be a vital biomarker for the prediction and diagnosis of some diseases. Consequently, it is of great significance to quantitatively detect PLA2 in biologic samples. Herein, on the basis of the principle of luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) between upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and SYBR Green I (SG), we proposed a technology for the highly sensitive detection of PLA2 amount. Therein, as an energy receptor, SG will be quantitatively loaded into liposomes firstly. Then, due to the hydrolysis of liposomes under the catalysis of PLA2, SG will be released and inserted into the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on the surface of UCNPs, which triggers the LRET because of the shortening of effective spatial distance between UCNPs and SG. Under exciting of NIR light, UCNPs emit luminescence at 476 nm, which makes SG emit fluorescence at 522 nm through LRET. Under optimal conditions, the emission intensity ratio (I522 nm/I476 nm) increased linearly with the PLA2 amount in the range of 20 U/L to 400 U/L, and the limit of detection (LOD) reached 15 U/L. Here, after comparing with the clinical standard method, it is found that the biosensor is expected to provide a convenient and sensitive assay for the detection of PLA2 in actual serum samples. Furthermore, such biosensor can also be used to test the inhibitor of PLA2.