A chemiluminescence immunosensor for biomarker detection based on boronic acid-modified magnetic composite microspheres.

High-sensitivity detection of biomarkers in biological samples is crucial for the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, a versatile and flexible immobilization technique based on the specific affinity interaction between boronic acid and cis-diol groups of antibodies was developed for biomarker detection. As a model, the boronic acid-modified immunomagnetic beads were used for facile and quick immobilization of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) antibody due to the specific affinity interactions. Based on this new class of immunomagnetic beads, the chemiluminescence immunosensor could efficiently detect the biomarker of AFP. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 8 fM (S/N = 3), showcasing superior sensitivity and detection specificity for AFP. Subsequently, the system was successfully applied to the detection of AFP in fetal bovine serum samples, and the average recovery rate is greater than 95%. Its performance surpassed that of commercial immunomagnetic beads, showcasing the potential application of this new strategy for bioanalysis and clinical diagnosis.

Mercury chloride activates the IFNγ-IRF1 signaling in myeloid progenitors and promotes monopoiesis in mice.

Inorganic mercury (Hg2+) is a highly toxic heavy metal in the environment. To date, the impacts of Hg2+ on the development of monocytes, or monopoiesis, have not been fully addressed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of Hg2+ on monopoiesis. In this study, we treated B10.S mice and DBA/2 mice with 10 µM or 50 µM HgCl2 via drinking water for 4 wk, and we then evaluated the development of monocytes. Treatment with 50 µM HgCl2, but not 10 µM HgCl2, increased the number of monocytes in the blood, spleen and bone marrow (BM) of B10.S mice. Accordingly, treatment with 50 µM HgCl2, but not 10 µM HgCl2, increased the number of common myeloid progenitors (CMP) and granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP) in the BM. Functional analyses indicated that treatment with 50 µM HgCl2 promoted the differentiation of CMP and GMP to monocytes in the BM of B10.S mice. Mechanistically, treatment with 50 µM HgCl2 induced the production of IFNγ, which activated the Jak1/3-STAT1/3-IRF1 signaling in CMP and GMP and enhanced their differentiation potential for monocytes in the BM, thus likely leading to increased number of mature monocytes in B10.S mice. Moreover, the increased monopoiesis by Hg2+ was associated with the increased inflammatory status in B10.S mice. In contrast, treatment with 50 µM HgCl2 did not impact the monopoiesis in DBA/2 mice. Our study reveals the impact of Hg on the development of monocytes.