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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319172
Research Project: Chemical Modification of Cotton for Value Added Applications

Location: Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research

Title: Peptide-nanocellulose sensor for human neutrophil elastase detection

Author
item Edwards, Judson - Vince
item Fontenot, Krystal
item Prevost, Nicolette
item Condon, Brian
item HALDANE, DAVID - Innovatech-Engineering

Submitted to: Journal of Wound Repair and Regeneration
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/2/2015
Publication Date: 6/17/2015
Citation: Edwards, J.V., Fontenot, K.R., Prevost, N.T., Condon, B.D., Haldane, D. 2015. Peptide-nanocellulose sensor for human neutrophil elastase detection. Journal of Wound Repair and Regeneration. 23(2):A20.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Advances in biosensor technology promise to revolutionize healthcare and diagnosis with noninvasive methods. This is especially the case in the area of sensors for wound healing, where approaches for biochemical and cellular markers are emerging. Nanomaterials with high surface area and biocompatible properties are good transducer surfaces for sensors. Nanocellulose in particular provides noteworthy advantages, but has received less attention than other nanomaterials for sensor applications. As a highly crystalline biopolymer with a hydrophilic, high surface area, it possesses reactive hydroxyls that can be derivatized to covalently append a wide range of biologically active molecules. Peptide analog substrates of Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) were attached to nanocellulosic substrates. HNE is a serine protease that is often released in higher than normal concentrations from immune cells, e.g., neutrophils under inflammatory disease conditions, and in particular chronic wounds. Here, we show how HNE is detectable either through fluorescence or colorimetric assessment with 2 mg of peptide-nanocellulose conjugate at levels commensurate with HNE activity found in the chronic wound (0.03 Units HNE/mL). Using a scalable manufacturing process, cellulosic nanofilms were produced and peptide substrates of HNE were attached to the cellulosic nanofilms through a glycine linker. A tripeptide conjugate of one nanocellulosic conjugate showed fivefold greater efficiency HNE activity than the tripeptide in solution as judged by its kcat/Km533,515.