2026-10-06T10:03:47Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33861986 2026-09-16T16:31:01Z category_1 category_4 category_146 category_16 category_19 category_21 category_873 category_46 category_64 portal_63 item_type_2 month_year_09_2026

Combination of Polymeric Microneedles with Specific Peptide for TNF‑α Sensing Via Noninvasive Detection in Interstitial Fluid Anna Palma (24996476) Concetta Di Natale (4394620) Daniele Tammaro (5155268) Elena Lagreca (10888542) Alessia Cugudda (23719881) Sara La Manna (8631078) Vincenzo Ferraro (5155280) Veronica Vespini (1794763) Simonetta Grilli (1551520) Pier Luca Maffettone (5155271) Sara Coppola (1794769) Biophysics Biochemistry Space Science Physiology Pharmacology Biotechnology Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified Immunology Cancer tumor necrosis factor results reported show limitations commonly associated equilibrium dissociation constant cost diagnostic systems clinically relevant biomarkers >- glycolic acid remote biomedicine solution reach higher concentrations fabricated via micro dimensional fluorescence assay labeled p52 variant interstitial fluid microneedle assured peptide stability translating monoclonal antibody mechanical testing confirmed low production costs generation minimally invasive fluid particularly sensitive p52 peptide directly α monitoring directly interstitial fluid minimally invasive time monitoring scalable solution fluorescence microscopy achieved via p52 peptide α concentrations specific peptide peptide immobilization p11 peptide affinity peptide ∼ 0 synthetic high subsequently functionalized stable immobilization simple surface scalable three reliable conjugation polymeric microneedles platform lies platform exhibited picomolar range overcome using negative control ml ). linear response lactic -< inflammatory cytokines Microneedle (MN)-based biosensors offer a minimally invasive and blood-free approach for real-time monitoring of clinically relevant biomarkers in interstitial fluid (ISF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) can reach higher concentrations in ISF than in serum, which makes this fluid particularly sensitive for detecting early local inflammatory responses. Here, we introduce an antibody-free MN biosensor employing a synthetic high-affinity peptide (P52) for TNF-α recognition in ISF. The novelty of the platform lies in the stable immobilization of the P52 peptide directly on mechanically robust polymeric MNs for a scalable three-dimensional fluorescence assay. The results reported show how the limitations commonly associated with translating monoclonal antibody-based molecular recognition could be overcome using a functionalized polymeric microneedle platform. Poly(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) MNs were fabricated via micro-molding and subsequently functionalized with the P52 peptide. A simple surface-conjugation protocol was employed, which assured peptide stability, low production costs, and reliable conjugation. Comprehensive morphological, mechanical, and chemical characterizations were performed through SEM and fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative detection was achieved via a sandwich-type fluorescence assay using an FITC-labeled P52 variant, enabling evaluation of capture efficiency in simulated ISF across graded TNF-α concentrations. The platform exhibited a linear response with a limit of detection of ∼0.2 pM (∼3 pg/mL). Peptide immobilization on MNs enhanced binding affinity, shifting the equilibrium dissociation constant from the nanomolar to the picomolar range. The P11 peptide was used as a negative control for sequence-dependent TNF-α recognition. Mechanical testing confirmed the robustness of the functionalized MNs without structural failure. Overall, this peptide-functionalized MN platform represents a robust, sensitive, and scalable solution for point-of-care TNF-α monitoring directly in ISF, paving the way for next-generation minimally invasive and low-cost diagnostic systems that will revolutionize the remote biomedicine solution. 2026-09-16T00:00:00Z Dataset Media 10.1021/acsomega.6c07406.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/media/Combination_of_Polymeric_Microneedles_with_Specific_Peptide_for_TNF_Sensing_Via_Noninvasive_Detection_in_Interstitial_Fluid/33861986 CC BY-NC 4.0