Surface optimization of gold nanoparticle mass tags for the sensitive detection of protein biomarkers via immuno-capture LI-MS

HPV-induced cervical cancer is one of the most lethal cancer. The development of a reliable and accurate method for the early diagnosis of HPV infections is highly important. Here, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were utilized as mass tags in Immuno-capture LI-MS assay for the detection of HPV marker proteins. Through the optimization of the amount of antibodies and surface charges on the AuNPs, high antigen detection efficiency with minimal non-specific binding was achieved. With the optimized antibody-conjugated AuNPs, low attomoles of HPV proteins in the HeLa cell lysate was quantified.