Rapid real-time monitoring of NO released from living cells using multi-walled carbon nanotube-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinonedimethyl-polylysine sensors

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important but short-lived signaling molecule that is released from living cells. Real-time monitoring of NO release is useful for understanding normal cellular physiology and pathology. Herein, a convenient and efficient NO sensor was developed using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethan (TCNQ)-polylysine (PLL) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE). The construction of the sensor (MWCNTs/TCNQ/PLL/SPE) was based on the synergic effect of the good conductivity of TCNQ and the high surface area of MWCNTs. The introduction of the cell-adhesive molecule PLL significantly enhanced the cytocompatibility, resulting in excellent cell attachment and growth. The resulting MWCNTs/TCNQ/PLL/SPE was successfully used for the real-time detection of NO released from living human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on it. The MWCNTs/TCNQ/PLL/SPE was further used to detect NO release from oxidative-injured HUVECs with and without resveratrol to also preliminarily assess the effect of resveratrol against oxidative damage. The sensor developed in this study showed good performance for the real-time detection of NO released by HUVECs under different conditions and has potential applications in the diagnosis of biological processes and the screening of drug treatment effects.