A Nanostructure-enabled Fluorescence Chip for Monitoring Cell Secretion

Herein a nanostructure-enabled fluorescence chip to monitor the cell secretion is reported for the first time. The fluorescence chip is based on nanostructured aluminum oxide or nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (Nano-AAO), which can dramatically enhance the fluorescence signal compared to coverslip glass. As a proof of concept, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) secreted directly by pancreaticstellate (iTAF) cells in isolation and in co-culture with pancreatic cancer (capan-1) cells has been monitored by the sensors using a sandwich assay. It has been found that 10 ng/ml of TGF beta 1 can be readily detected in the complexity of conditioned cell media. The successful detection of the TGF beta 1 secreted by iTAF cells in conditioned media indicates the possibility of the fluorescence sensors to monitor the cell secretion in real time.