Organic Electrochemical Transistor for in Situ Detection of H2O2 Released from Adherent Cells and Its Application in Evaluating the In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterial

Detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by living cells is very significant to fully understand its roles in cellular physiology, as well as providing reliable diagnosis of pathological conditions. However, in situ detection of H2O2 released from adherent cells in cellular culture medium is still insufficiently achieved. Here, we report an electrochemical platform for in situ detection of H2O2 produced by adherent cells in cellular culture medium. It is based on the use of organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) fabricated on a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate and Transwell support. A screen -printed carbon paste electrode was modified with carbon nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles and served as the gate of the device. Under optimal conditions, this device exhibits good modulation and sensitivity. It works in the 0.5 mu M to 0.1 mM H2O2. concentration range and has a 0.2 mu M detection limit. The cells were seeded and grew on the Transwell membrane. Upon being stimulated by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine peptide, H2O2 produced by the adherent cells diffused into the bottom chamber of the Transwell and was in situ detected by OECT. Moreover, evaluating in vitro cytotoxicity of the nanomaterial using the OECT-Transwell platform was realized. This simple electrochemical platform would be of great interest for in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular physiology study, and diagnosis of pathological conditions.