Label-free electrochemical impedance biosensor to detect human interleukin-8 in serum with sub-pg/ml sensitivity

Biosensors with high sensitivity and short time-to-result that are capable of detecting biomarkers in body fluids such as serum are an important prerequisite for early diagnostics in modern healthcare provision. Here, we report the development of an electrochemical impedance-based sensor for the detection in serum of human interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-angiogenic chemokine implicated in a wide range of inflammatory diseases. The sensor employs a small and robust synthetic non-antibody capture protein based on a cystatin scaffold that displays high affinity for human IL-8 with a KD of 35±10nM and excellent ligand specificity. The change in the phase of the electrochemical impedance from the serum baseline, ∆θ(ƒ), measured at 0.1Hz, was used as the measure for quantifying IL-8 concentration in the fluid. Optimal sensor signal was observed after 15min incubation, and the sensor exhibited a linear response versus logarithm of IL-8 concentration from 900fg/ml to 900ng/ml. A detection limit of around 90fg/ml, which is significantly lower than the basal clinical levels of 5–10pg/ml, was observed. Our results are significant for the development of point-of-care and early diagnostics where high sensitivity and short time-to-results are essential. •A label-free electrochemical impedance-based sensor for the detection of human interleukin-8 (IL-8) in full serum was developed.•Detection limit of 90fg/ml and time-to-result of 15min was found.•A large dynamic range of the sensor was observed, with sensor response linear vs logarithm of IL-8 concentration from 900fg/ml to 900ng/ml.•The sensor employs a small and robust synthetic non-antibody capture protein, with high stability and excellent ligand specificity.•Findings are particularly relevant for the development of point-of-care and early diagnosis sensors where high sensitivity and short time-to-results are essential.