Multiplexed antibody detection from blood sera by immobilization of in vitro expressed antigens and label-free readout via imaging reflectometric interferometry (iRIf)

The detection of antibodies from blood sera is crucial for diagnostic purposes. Miniaturized protein assays in combination with microfluidic setups hold great potential by enabling automated handling and multiplexed analyses. Yet, the separate expression, purification, and storage of many individual proteins are time consuming and limit applicability. In vitro cell-free expression has been proposed as an alternative procedure for the generation of protein assays. We report the successful in vitro expression of different model proteins from DNA templates with an optimized expression mix. His10-tagged proteins were specifically captured and immobilized on a Ni-NTA coated sensor surface directly from the in vitro expression mix. Finally, the specific binding of antibodies from rabbit-derived blood sera to the immobilized proteins was monitored by imaging reflectometric interferometry (iRIf). Antibodies in the blood sera could be identified by binding to the respective epitopes with minimal cross reactivity. The results show the potential of in vitro expression and label-free detection for binding assays in general and diagnostic purposes in specific. •A cell-free expression mix is established to produce antigens fused to His-tags.•Antigens are bound to a functionalized surface directly from the expression mix.•Blood sera from immunized animals are flushed over the antigens.•Specific detection of antibodies is possible via label-free interferometric read-out.