JP4514824B2 - Method for producing labeled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatographic reagent, method for producing conjugate pad for immunochromatographic method, and method for using test strip for immunochromatographic method using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a labeling substance silica particles containing a method for producing a conjugate pad for immunochromatography and a method using a test strip for immunochromatography method using the same.

The immunochromatography method is efficient because the test substance moves through the porous support by capillary action, is captured by the labeled particles, and is immobilized locally (for example, in a line) on the porous support. This is an immunoassay method for determining the presence or absence of a test substance when the test substance is concentrated by contact with the substance and the line on which the capture substance is immobilized is colored.
The following three points can be mentioned as features of the immunochromatography method.
(1) The time required for determination is 20 minutes or less, and rapid inspection is possible.
(2) Since the measurement can be performed simply by dropping the specimen and the operation is simple, a plurality of specimens can be processed.
(3) Since a determination is easy without requiring a special detection device, a general consumer can inspect himself / herself.
Utilizing these characteristics, immunochromatography is used for pregnancy test drugs and influenza test drugs, and has attracted attention as a new POCT (Point Of Care Testing) technique (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Here, POCT refers to a test for diagnosis at a place as close as possible to the patient. Conventionally, collected blood, urine, affected tissue, and other specimens are sent to the hospital's central laboratory or specialized examination center, and data is output, so it took time to confirm the diagnosis (for example, more than one day) . According to POCT, since rapid and accurate treatment is possible based on examination information provided instantly, emergency examinations at hospitals and examinations during surgery are possible. Is expensive.

  Currently, gold nanoparticles are most often used as a labeling substance in immunochromatography (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Although gold nanoparticles have a high absorbance and are excellent in visibility, since only one color can be produced, there is a problem that there is no room for color selection. In addition, since gold particles having a large particle diameter or agglomerated gold particles are darkened, there is a problem that a clear color may not be produced.

JP 2006-67979 A JP 2003-262638 A

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an immunochromatographic label that can give various hues, fluorescence wavelengths, and the like by changing the labeling substance contained therein, and that does not become dark due to aggregation or the like. method for producing silica particles, is to provide a method of manufacturing a conjugate pad for immunochromatography and the use of the test strip immunochromatographic method using the same.

The above object of the present invention has been achieved by the following means.
(1) Silica nanoparticles surface-modified with a substance for recognizing a specimen, the silica nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of 20 to 600 nm having a labeling substance made of a light-absorbing substance or a fluorescent substance. A method for producing a silica nanoparticle labeling reagent for immunochromatography, which comprises treating with a polymer.
(2) The method for producing a labeling reagent silica nanoparticle according to (1), wherein the synthetic polymer is polyethylene glycol and the natural polymer is bovine serum albumin (BSA).
(3) The immunochromatography according to (1) or (2), wherein a solution containing the synthetic polymer and a solution containing a natural polymer are sequentially added to the liquid containing the silica nanoparticles. A method for producing a labeling reagent silica nanoparticle.
(4) A step of obtaining a labeling reagent silica nanoparticle for immunochromatography by the production method according to any one of (1) to (3) , and
An immunochromatography method comprising a step of impregnating a liquid containing silica nanoparticles into a glass fiber pad so that the particle weight is 50 μg to ² mg per unit area (cm ² ), followed by drying under reduced pressure at room temperature. Of producing a conjugate pad for use in a medical device
(5) A conjugate pad for immunochromatography produced by the method according to (4), a membrane having an antibody immobilization part coated with an antibody solution, dropped or sprayed, dried and immobilized by physical adsorption; Using an immunochromatographic test strip in which an absorption pad is connected in series in this order, a liquid containing the specimen is dropped onto the immunochromatographic conjugate pad, and the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica nanoparticles are added to the specimen. Redispersed in the contained liquid, and caused a binding reaction between the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica nanoparticles and the specimen, and did not cause a binding reaction between the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica nanoparticles and the specimen and the specimen. Labeling reagent for immunochromatography Silica nanoparticles move through capillary membrane And characterized in that, the use of test strips for the immunochromatographic.

(6) The method according to (5), wherein two or more types of specimens are detected simultaneously using two or more types of labeled silica nanoparticles that are distinguished by different types or contents of the labeling substances. Immunochromatographic reagents,
(7) The immunochromatography reagent according to (5) or (6), wherein the labeling substance is a light-absorbing substance, and an absorption maximum wavelength in an absorption spectrum of the light-absorbing substance is in the range of 200 to 800 nm. ,
(8) The immunochromatography reagent according to (7), wherein a molar extinction coefficient of the silica nanoparticles at the maximum wavelength of the absorption spectrum is 5 × 10 ⁷ M ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ or more,
(9) The labeling substance is a fluorescent substance, and high-sensitivity detection is enabled by detecting fluorescence emitted from silica nanoparticles containing the fluorescent substance (5) or (6) An immunochromatographic reagent according to
(10) The immunochromatography reagent according to (9), wherein the fluorescence is blue fluorescence, yellow fluorescence, orange fluorescence, or red fluorescence,

(11) A sample addition member, a member impregnated with labeled silica nanoparticles as an immunochromatography reagent according to any one of (5) to (10), a membrane having an antibody immobilization part, and an absorption pad are connected in series. Test strip for immunochromatography,
(12) The immunochromatographic test strip according to (11), wherein two or more kinds of specimens are simultaneously detected based on a difference in hue of color development or a difference in fluorescence wavelength in the same antibody-immobilized portion,
(13) A detection system using the immunochromatography reagent according to (9) or (10), wherein the wavelength of an excitation light source used for detection of fluorescence emitted from the silica nanoparticles is 200 nm to 400 nm. A fluorescence detection system for immunochromatography,
(14) The immunochromatography fluorescence according to (13), comprising: a filter that transmits only excitation light of a specific wavelength from the excitation light source; and a filter that removes the excitation light and transmits only fluorescence. Detection system,
(15) Further, a photomultiplier tube or a CCD detector that receives the fluorescence is provided, the fluorescence is detected by the photomultiplier tube or the CCD detector, and the specimen is quantified by measuring the intensity of the fluorescence. (14) The immunochromatographic fluorescence detection system according to (14), and (16) The excitation light source is any one of a mercury lamp, a halogen lamp, and a xenon lamp (13) to (15) The fluorescence detection system for immunochromatography described in any one of the above.

According to the production method of the present invention , since various light absorption characteristics and fluorescence characteristics can be imparted , labeled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatography reagents suitably used for various immunochromatography methods and conjugate pads using the same are produced. be able to.
Moreover, according to the method for using the immunochromatographic test strip of the present invention, all or any of the following effects can be obtained.
- it is possible to impart various absorption characteristics and fluorescence properties, is suitable for the simultaneous analysis of a plurality of types of analytes.
Simultaneous detection of multiple types of analytes, are possible quantitative or judgment, is suitable as a diagnostic method of a new POCT.
・ Highly sensitive detection or quantification is possible by fluorescence detection .

FIG. 1a is a plan view of an immunochromatography test strip preferably used in the present invention , and FIG. 1b is a longitudinal sectional view of the plan view of the immunochromatography test strip indicated by a. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a TEM photograph of silica nanoparticles containing labeled material obtained in Example.

First, the production method of the present invention and the labeled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatography reagent obtained thereby will be described. The labeled silica nanoparticles for immunochromatography reagent obtained by the production method of the present invention are composed of silica nanoparticles containing a labeling substance . Preferably has an average particle diameter before Symbol labeled silica nanoparticles is 20 to 600 nm, more preferably 60 to 300 nm. If the particle size is too small, the detection sensitivity decreases, and if the particle size is too large, the porous support (membrane) used in the immunochromatography method becomes clogged.
In the present invention, the average particle size is determined from the total projected area of 50 silica nanoparticles randomly selected from an image of a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), etc. Is obtained by an image processing apparatus, and the average value of the diameters of circles (average circle equivalent diameter) corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the total occupied area by the number of selected silica nanoparticles (50) is obtained.
The variation coefficient of the particle size distribution, the so-called CV value, is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 8% or less.
In the present specification and claims, monodisperse means a particle group having a CV value of 15% or less.
In the present invention, the silica particles used are not particularly limited, and may be silica particles obtained by any arbitrary preparation method. Examples thereof include silica particles prepared by the sol-gel method described in Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 159, 150-157 (1993).
The present inventors have applied for a patent for a method for preparing fluorescent dye compound-containing colloidal silica particles (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-376401). It is particularly preferable to use silica nanoparticles containing a labeling substance obtained according to the method.
Specifically, the silica nanoparticle containing the labeling substance reacts with the product obtained by reacting the labeling substance with a silane compound and covalently bonding, ionic bonding, or other chemical bonding or adsorption. It can be prepared by polymerizing two or more silane compounds.
Preferred embodiments of the silica nanoparticles containing the labeling substance include N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester group, maleimide group, isocyanate group, isothiocyanate group, aldehyde group, paranitrophenyl group, diethoxymethyl. The labeling substance having an active group such as a group, an epoxy group or a cyano group is reacted with a silane coupling agent having a substituent (for example, an amino group, a hydroxyl group or a thiol group) that reacts with the active group. The product obtained by covalent bonding can be prepared by polymerizing one or more silane compounds.

  Specific examples of the labeling substance having the active group include labeling substances having an NHS ester group such as 5- (and -6) -carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester (trade name, manufactured by emp Biotech GmbH). Can be mentioned.

  Specific examples of the silane coupling agent having a substituent include γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS), 3- [2- (2-aminoethylamino) ethylamino] propyl-triethoxysilane, N-2 ( Examples thereof include silane coupling agents having an amino group such as (aminoethyl) 3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. Of these, APS is preferable.

  The silane compound to be polymerized is not particularly limited, but tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), γ-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). ), 3-thiocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidyloxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane, and 3- [2- (2-aminoethylamino) ethylamino] propyl-triethoxy Mention may be made of silane. Among these, TEOS, MPS, or APS is preferable.

When prepared as described above, spherical or nearly spherical silica particles can be produced. The nearly spherical silica particles specifically have a shape in which the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is 2 or less.
In order to obtain silica particles having a desired average particle size, ultrafiltration is performed using an ultrafiltration membrane such as YM-10, YM-100 (both trade names, manufactured by Millipore), and the particle size is large. It is possible to remove particles that are too small or too small, or to centrifuge at an appropriate gravitational acceleration and collect only the supernatant or precipitate.

In the present invention, the labeling substance is in a state of being immobilized in the labeled silica nanoparticles. Examples of the labeling substance include functional substances such as fluorescent substances and light-absorbing substances. There is no restriction | limiting in particular regarding a fluorescent substance or a light absorbing substance, It is an organic molecule, an inorganic compound, a semiconductor particle, etc. When the labeling substance is a fluorescent substance or a light-absorbing substance, the concentration of the fluorescent substance or the light-absorbing substance with respect to the labeled silica nanoparticles is preferably 20 mmol / l or more, and more preferably 40 to 80 mmol / l.
Here, “the concentration of the fluorescent substance or light-absorbing substance with respect to the labeled silica nanoparticles” is obtained by dividing the number of moles of the fluorescent substance or light-absorbing substance by the volume of the labeled silica nanoparticles. The number of moles of the fluorescent substance or light-absorbing substance is determined from the absorbance or fluorescence intensity of the labeled silica nanoparticles, and the volume of the labeled silica nanoparticles is determined by centrifuging the labeled silica nanoparticles from the labeled silica nanoparticle dispersion or It collect | recovered by ultrafiltration, it was made to dry, the mass was calculated | required, and the density of the silica particle was calculated | required as 2.3 g / cm < ³ >.

In order to use the labeled silica nanoparticles in an immunochromatography method, the surface is preferably modified with a substance that recognizes a specimen (for example, a biomolecule such as an antibody, an antigen, DNA, or RNA).
In the present specification and claims, the sample liquid containing the specimen is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include urine and blood.
In the present specification and claims, specimens to be detected, quantified, tested, diagnosed, and judged include antigens, antibodies, DNA, RNA, sugars, sugar chains, ligands, receptors, peptides, chemical substances, etc. Can be mentioned. More specifically, an important marker of pregnancy includes determining or diagnosing the presence or absence of pregnancy using urinary human gonadotropin (hCG) / peptide hormone as an antigen.
The method for binding the labeled silica nanoparticles to the substance for recognizing the analyte is not particularly limited, and a substance for recognizing the analyte by electrostatic attraction, van der Waals force, hydrophobic interaction or the like is added to the labeled silica nanoparticles. You may make it adsorb | suck and may make it couple | bond by a chemical bond with a crosslinking agent or a condensing agent. In addition, a thiol group is introduced on the surface of the labeled silica nanoparticle using a silane coupling agent having a thiol group such as MPS (γ-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane), and the thiol group of the substance for recognizing the specimen and SS You may combine by a coupling | bonding.
In addition, when particles aggregate when binding a substance that recognizes the specimen, such as biomolecules (for example, antibodies, antigens, DNA, RNA) on the surface of the labeled silica nanoparticles, the surfaces of the labeled silica nanoparticles are alternated in advance. Surface treatment may be performed by an adsorption method. The alternating adsorption method is a method of forming a polymer thin film on the surface of a substrate or particle by adsorbing a charged polymer to the surface of the substrate or particle having a charge by electrostatic attraction. By performing alternate adsorption treatment on the surface of the labeled silica nanoparticles, the surface of the particles can be charged, so that electrostatic repulsive force is generated between the particles, and dispersibility is improved. Further, since the polymer bonded to the particles has an excluded volume, the dispersibility is improved also by the effect of the steric repulsive force.

Next, an immunochromatographic reagent suitably used in the present invention will be described. Immunochromatographic reagent this, the composed label silica particles obtained by the production method of the present invention, it is preferable that the surface-modified with recognizing substance sample as described above.

The immunochromatography reagent is preferably composed of silica nanoparticles containing a light-absorbing substance or a fluorescent substance as the labeling substance as described above.
The light-absorbing substance is not particularly limited as long as it absorbs light from the arbitrary light source, and is a general-purpose detector such as a plate reader (for example, Vmax (trade name, manufactured by Molecular Devices), microplate reader MPR. -A4i (trade name, manufactured by Tosoh Corp.)) and a light-absorbing substance having a maximum absorption wavelength in the range of 200 to 800 nm is preferable, and a maximum absorption wavelength in the absorption spectrum is 400. More preferred is a light-absorbing material in the range of ~ 700 nm.
Here, “absorption maximum wavelength” refers to the wavelength of the absorption peak having the maximum absorbance in the case where there are a plurality of absorption peaks in the absorption spectrum.
Any light-absorbing dye can be used as long as it is a light-absorbing substance having an absorption maximum wavelength in the range of 200 to 800 nm in the absorption spectrum, but DYQ-660 represented by the following formula (trade name, Dynamics GmbH) NHS ester etc.) are preferable.

The silica nanoparticles containing the light-absorbing substance can have a molar extinction coefficient ε of 5 × 10 ⁷ M ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ or more, and ε is 2 × 10 ⁸ M ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ to 1 × 10. It is preferably ¹¹ M ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ .
The absorbance, absorption spectrum, and ε of the silica nanoparticles containing the light-absorbing substance can be measured using an arbitrary absorptiometer or plate reader, such as an aqueous dispersion, an ethanol dispersion, an N, N-dimethylformamide dispersion, etc. It can be measured as a dispersion.
“Molar extinction coefficient ε of silica nanoparticles containing the light-absorbing substance” is obtained by measuring the absorbance of the dispersion of silica nanoparticles containing the light-absorbing substance and applying it to the Lambert-Beer equation. It refers to the molar extinction coefficient ε of the silica nanoparticles containing the light-absorbing substance in the dispersion.

In the above immunochromatography reagent, when silica nanoparticles containing a fluorescent substance as the labeling substance and surface-modified with a substance that recognizes a sample are used, the fluorescence emitted from the silica nanoparticles is detected. By doing so, highly sensitive detection or quantification is possible.
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular in the said fluorescent substance, From a viewpoint of the detection by a general purpose detector (for example, AE-6931FXCF print graph (brand name, ATTO company make)) and the compatibility of data, blue fluorescence (440-490 nm), A fluorescent substance having yellow fluorescence (540 to 590 nm), orange fluorescence (590 to 620 nm) or red fluorescence (620 to 740 nm) is preferable.

Next, a method for using the immunochromatographic test strip of the present invention will be described.
An immunochromatographic test strip suitably used in the method of the present invention is:
(1) A sample addition member (sample pad) and a member (conjugate pad) impregnated with the labeled silica particles,
(2) The conjugate pad and a membrane having an antibody immobilization part (antibody immobilization membrane), and (3) the antibody immobilization membrane and the absorption pad are connected in series so that a capillary phenomenon occurs between them. More preferably.

A preferred embodiment of the immunochromatographic test strip used in the method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1a and b.
FIG. 1a is a plan view of an immunochromatographic test strip suitably used in the method of the present invention, and FIG. 1b is a longitudinal sectional view of the plan view of the immunochromatographic test strip indicated by a. Immunochromatographic test strip 1 of this, the sample receiving member (sample pad) 2, labeled silica nanoparticles impregnated member (conjugate pad) 3, antibody immobilized membrane 4 is preferably made of absorbent pad 5. The constituent members are more preferably backed by a backing sheet 6 with an adhesive . Antibodies immobilized portion before Symbol membrane 4, determine the presence or absence of the analyte, i.e. the test line 41 capture antibody is immobilized for determining the positive-negative, and all the samples have been labeled with a labeling silica particles It is preferable to include a control line 42 on which the antibody to be captured is immobilized.

Next, each member will be described.
1) Sample addition member (sample pad) 2
The sample pad 2 is a constituent member that drops a sample containing a specimen.
2) Labeled silica nanoparticle impregnated member (conjugate pad) 3
The conjugate pad 3 is a component impregnated with labeled silica nanoparticles, and the specimen contained in the sample liquid that has moved from the sample pad 2 by capillary action is captured by the labeled silica particles in a molecular recognition reaction such as an antigen-antibody reaction. The part to be labeled.
The content of the labeled silica nanoparticles per unit area (cm ² ) in the conjugate pad 3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 μg to 2 mg. Examples of the impregnation method include a method in which the dispersion of the labeled silica particles is applied, dropped or sprayed, and then dried.
3) Antibody-immobilized membrane 4
The membrane 4 is a structural member in which the specimen labeled with the silica nanoparticles moves by capillary action, and an antibody immobilization section (determination section) in which a sandwich type immune complex forming reaction composed of immobilized antibody-specimen-labeled silica nanoparticles is performed. ).
The shape of the antibody immobilization part (determination part) in the membrane is not particularly limited as long as the capture antibody is locally immobilized, and includes a line shape, a circular shape, a belt shape, etc. It is preferable that there is a line shape having a width of 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
The specimen labeled with the silica particles is captured in the antibody immobilization part (determination part) by the sandwich-type immune complex formation reaction composed of the immobilized antibody-analyte-labeled silica nanoparticles, and the complex in the formed complex The presence or absence of the specimen can be determined by the degree of color development or fluorescence derived from the silica nanoparticles, that is, positive / negative can be determined. That is, the labeled silica particles are concentrated in the antibody immobilization section (determination section), and can be detected and determined visually as a colored signal or using a detection device.
In order to sufficiently complete the sandwich-type immune complex formation reaction, or to avoid the influence on the measurement by the colored substance in the liquid sample or the measurement by the labeled silica nanoparticles not bound to the specimen, the determination on the membrane It is preferable that the portion is provided at a position (for example, the middle of the membrane) at some distance from the connection end with the conjugate pad and the connection end with the absorption pad.

The amount of antibody immobilization in the antibody immobilization part (determination part) is not particularly limited, but when the shape is a line, it is preferably 0.5 μg to 5 μg per unit length (cm). Examples of the immobilization method include a method in which an antibody solution is applied, dropped or sprayed and then dried and immobilized by physical adsorption.
After the above-described antibody immobilization, the whole membrane is preferably subjected to a so-called blocking treatment in order to prevent the influence of nonspecific adsorption on the measurement. For example, a method of immersing in a buffer solution containing a blocking agent such as albumin, casein, polyvinyl alcohol or the like for an appropriate period of time and then drying may be mentioned. Examples of the commercially available blocking agent include skim milk (manufactured by DIFCO), 4% block ace (manufactured by Meiji Dairies), and the like.
4) Absorption pad 5
The absorption pad 5 is a constituent member that absorbs the sample liquid and the labeled silica particles that have moved through the membrane by capillary action and always generates a constant flow.

There are no particular restrictions on the material of each of these constituent members, and members used for immunochromatographic test strips can be used. As sample pads and conjugate pads, glass such as Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (trade name, manufactured by MILLIPORE) is used. A fiber pad is preferable, a nitrocellulose membrane such as Hi-Flow Plus 120 membrane (trade name, manufactured by MILLIPORE) is preferable as the membrane, and a cellulose membrane such as Cellulose Fiber Sample Pad (trade name, manufactured by MILLIPORE) is preferable as the absorbent pad. Is preferred.
Examples of the backing sheet with an adhesive include AR9020 (trade name, manufactured by Adhesives Research).
The test strip can be prepared by subjecting a sample addition member (sample pad), a labeled silica particle impregnated member (conjugate pad), an antibody-immobilized membrane, and an absorbent pad in the order of capillary action between the members. In order to do this, it can be produced by pasting both ends of each of these members with an adjacent member by about 1 to 5 mm (preferably on a backing sheet).

In addition to visual observation, the degree of color development is determined by, for example, a tester for urine test paper such as Pretester RM-405 and Pretester RM-505 (both trade names, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), such as a densitometer, etc. Needless to say, it may also be performed using.
The test strip is easy to operate even for general consumers who are not skilled in the technique, and from the viewpoint of POCT, the test strip is housed (casing) with a plastic material for an observation window for visually observing the detection line of the test strip. Preferably it is. For example, the housing etc. which are described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2000-356638 etc. are mentioned.

According to the production method of the present invention, the labeled silica nanoparticles as an immunochromatography reagent can be provided with various hues, fluorescence wavelengths, and the like by containing different types of the labeling substances. By using two or more kinds of labeled silica nanoparticles thus obtained, for example, in the test strip, it is possible to simultaneously detect, quantify, determine or diagnose two or more kinds of specimens in one operation. is there.
At this time, each of the two or more types of labeled silica nanoparticles needs to be modified with a surface-modifying substance that recognizes molecules for different analytes.
Specific examples include silica nanoparticles containing red dye (eg, rhodamine) surface-modified with a mouse anti-influenza A virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody that recognizes influenza A virus nucleoprotein,
Immunochromatographic reagent comprising blue nanoparticles (for example, DYQ-660 (trade name, manufactured by Dynamics))-containing silica nanoparticles surface-modified with a mouse anti-influenza B virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody that recognizes influenza B virus nucleoprotein , And test strips using the same.

In the above-described immunochromatographic reagent comprising two or more types of labeled silica nanoparticles and the test strip using the same, two or more types of specimens can be simultaneously used depending on the difference in hue or fluorescence wavelength in the same antibody immobilization part. Detection, quantification, determination or diagnosis can be made. The same antibody immobilization part is preferably linear.
Conventional nanoparticles (for example, gold nanoparticles) can often develop only a single color or emit only single-wavelength fluorescence, and the hue and emission wavelength are very limited. Therefore, when used for immunochromatography, it is practically difficult to detect and judge two or more types of specimens, and the antibody immobilization part (judgment part) to which another kind of antibody is immobilized is separated on the membrane. It was necessary to install in the place. When a plurality of antibody immobilization parts are provided in close proximity, color development or luminescence signal based on any specimen often occurs due to monochromatic color development or limited emission wavelength.
On the other hand, since the labeled silica nanoparticles can impart various hues, fluorescence wavelengths, and the like by containing different types of the labeling substances, in the test strip of the present invention, the same antibody immobilization part A plurality of types of antibodies can be immobilized on the same, and a plurality of types of specimens can be simultaneously detected, quantified, determined or diagnosed.
Specifically, for example, when measuring samples A and B, silica nanoparticles containing blue dye (for example, DYQ-660 (trade name, manufactured by Dynamics)) surface-modified with an antibody that recognizes sample A or a fragment thereof. And a yellow pigment (for example, fluorescein) -containing silica nanoparticles surface-modified with an antibody against specimen B or a fragment thereof, and a test in which antibodies against specimens A and B are mixed and immobilized in the same antibody immobilization part A strip. The presence or absence of the specimen can be determined by dropping an unknown specimen liquid containing specimens A and B onto the sample pad of the test strip and observing the antibody immobilization section. In the above specific example, when the hue of the reaction line is blue, the substance A is the majority, and conversely, when it is yellow, the substance B is the majority. A reaction line will appear. In this way, by utilizing the fact that the hue of the appearing reaction line changes depending on the abundance ratio of substances A and B, the abundance ratio of the specimens can be determined by detecting or quantifying the hue visually or with a detection device. Can be measured.
If the degree of color development is lighter than a specific color tone, it is negative, and if it is dark, it is possible to semi-quantify the sample. In addition, the determination of the degree of color development is performed using, for example, a tester for urine test paper such as Pretester RM-405 and Pretester RM-505 (both trade names, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) such as a densitometer. Needless to say, it may be used.
Here, “semi-quantitative” means that quantitative analysis must be preceded by qualitative analysis, but when quantitative analysis is performed, this is done somewhat quantitatively, This is the case where the process is also performed.

It will now be described fluorescence detection system for Lee Munokuromato method.
Fluorescence detection systems for Lee Munokuromato method, the silica particles comprising a fluorescent substance as the labeling substance obtained by the production method of the present invention when used as immunochromatographic reagent, in particular to the test strip as described above Can be used when used.
That is, the fluorescence detection system of the present invention comprises at least the following configurations (1) and (2).
(1) A sample pad, a member (conjugate pad) impregnated with silica nanoparticles containing a fluorescent substance, a test strip comprising an antibody-immobilized membrane and an absorption pad, and (2) an excitation light source.
The test strip is preferably lined with a backing sheet.
In the fluorescence detection system of the present invention, it is preferable that the excitation light source emits excitation light having a wavelength of 200 nm to 400 nm from the viewpoint of visually detecting fluorescence emitted from the silica nanoparticle portion. Examples of the excitation light source include a mercury lamp, a halogen lamp, and a xenon lamp.
The fluorescent detection system of this, it is more preferable that a filter for transmitting only light of a specific wavelength from the excitation light source, further, from the viewpoint of detecting the fluorescence only visually, etc., the excitation light More preferably, a filter that removes the light and transmits only the fluorescence is provided. The above fluorescence detection system, it is particularly preferred comprises a photomultiplier tube or CCD detector for receiving the fluorescence, thereby can detect the fluorescence intensity or wavelength that can not be visually confirmed, since it further can measure its fluorescence intensity Samples can also be quantified, enabling highly sensitive detection and quantification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. The present invention is not limited to these examples.
Reference Example 1 (Preparation of labeled silica nanoparticles used in the present invention)
2.9 mg of 5- (and -6) -carboxytetramethylrhodamine succinimidyl ester (trade name, manufactured by emp Biotech GmbH) was dissolved in 1 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF). 1.3 μl of APS was added thereto and reacted at room temperature (23 ° C.) for 1 hour.
Ethanol (128 ml), TEOS (400 μl), distilled water (28.8 ml) and 28% by mass ammonia water (400 μl) were added to the obtained reaction solution (400 μl), and the reaction was performed at room temperature for 24 hours.
The reaction solution was centrifuged for 30 minutes at a gravitational acceleration of 18000 × g, and the supernatant was removed. 4 ml of distilled water was added to the precipitated silica particles to disperse the particles, and the mixture was again centrifuged for 30 minutes at a gravitational acceleration of 18000 × g. This washing operation was further repeated twice to remove unreacted TEOS, ammonia and the like contained in the labeled silica nanoparticle dispersion, thereby obtaining 100.8 mg of silica nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of 104 nm. Yield about 94%.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an SEM photograph image of the obtained labeled silica nanoparticles. In the figure, spherical-shaped substances that appear white are the obtained labeled silica nanoparticles.

Example 1 (Detection of hCG)
1 mL of 50 mM KH ₂ PO ₄ (pH 6.5) and 9 mL of the rhodamine-containing silica nanoparticle dispersion (10 mg / mL) were added to the centrifuge tube and stirred gently. Add 1 mL (60 μg / mL) of anti-hCG antibody (Anti-hCG clone codes / 5008, manufactured by Medix Biochemical) to the centrifuge tube while stirring, and allow to stand at room temperature for 1 hour to adsorb the anti-hCG antibody to the silica nanoparticles. It was. To this, 0.55 mL of 1% PEG (polyethylene glycol, molecular weight 20000, manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added and stirred gently, and further 1.1 mL of 10% BSA was added and stirred gently.
The mixed solution was centrifuged at 12,000 × g for 15 minutes, and the supernatant was removed leaving about 1 mL, and the precipitate was dispersed in the remaining supernatant. To this dispersion, 20 mL of a storage buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.2), 0.05% PEG20,000, 150 mM NaCl, 1% BSA, 0.1% NaN ₃ ) was added and centrifuged again. About 1 mL of the supernatant was left and removed, and the precipitate was dispersed in the remaining supernatant. Add 1 mL of distilled water and 2 mL of coating buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.2), 0.05% PEG (molecular weight 20,000), 150 mM NaCl, 1% BSA, 0.1% NaN ₃ ) to this dispersion. , Lightly stirred.
The silica nanoparticle dispersion obtained by adsorbing the obtained antibody was uniformly applied to 0.8 mL of the above dispersion per Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (GFCP, manufactured by MILLIPORE) (8 × 150 mm). A conjugate pad containing the silica nanoparticles obtained in Reference Example 1 was prepared by drying under reduced pressure overnight at room temperature in a desiccator.

For the preparation of the antibody-immobilized membrane, an anti-hCG antibody (alpha subunit of of the test line having a width of about 1 mm is located near the center (about 12 mm from the end) of the membrane (length 25 mm, trade name Hi-Flow Plus 120 membrane, manufactured by MILLIPORE). A solution ((50 mM KH ₂ PO ₄ , pH 7.0) + 5% sucrose) containing 1 mg / mL of FSH (LH), clone code / 6601, manufactured by Medix Biochemica was applied at a coating amount of 0.75 μL / cm.
Subsequently, as a control line having a width of about 1 mm, a solution ((50 mM KH ₂ PO ₄ , pH 7.0) sugar free) containing 1 mg / mL of anti-IgG antibody (Anti Mouse IgG, manufactured by Dako) was added at 0.75 μL / cm. The coating amount was applied and dried at 50 ° C. for 30 minutes.
Next, the entire membrane was immersed in a blocking buffer for 30 minutes at room temperature as a blocking treatment.
The membrane was transferred to a membrane washing / stable buffer and allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or more. The membrane was pulled up, placed on a paper towel and dried overnight at room temperature to prepare an antibody-immobilized membrane.
Backing sheet (product) of the obtained membrane, the obtained conjugate pad, the sample pad (Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (GFCP), manufactured by MILLIPORE), and the absorbent pad (Cellulose Fiber Sample Pad (CFSP) (made by MILLIPORE)) No. AR9020 (manufactured by Adhesives Research)) and cut into strips having a width of 5 mm and a length of 60 mm to obtain test strips having the structure shown in FIGS. is there.
In addition, as shown to FIG. 1 a and b, each component was affixed and bonded about 2 mm with the member which adjoined each other (it is the same hereafter).
When 100 μL of 50 IU / L of recombinant hCG (manufactured by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) was dropped on the sample pad portion of the strip and allowed to stand for 1 minute, anti-hCG antibody (alpha subunit of FSH (LH), clone code / 6601, Medix Biochemica) The color of red was confirmed on the line coated with the product (test line) and the line coated with the anti-IgG antibody (control line).

Example 2 (Detecting a plurality of biomolecules on the same line)
Rhodamine-containing silica nanoparticles were prepared by the method of Reference Example 1 (average particle size 101 nm, yield 90%). Further, DYQ-660-containing silica nanoparticles were prepared in the same manner as in Reference Example 1 using DYQ-660-NHS-Ester (manufactured by Dyomics). Subsequently, the rhodamine-containing silica nanoparticles were surface-modified by adsorption with a mouse anti-type A influenza virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody in the same manner as in Example 1, and the DYQ-660-containing silica nanoparticles were modified with mouse anti-type B influenza virus nuclei. The surface was modified by adsorption with a protein monoclonal antibody.
Equally apply 0.8 ml of rhodamine-containing silica nanoparticle dispersion surface-modified by adsorption with mouse anti-influenza A virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody on a conjugate pad (Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (GFCP), 8 × 150 mm, manufactured by MILLIPORE) This was applied, put in a desiccator, and dried under reduced pressure overnight. Subsequently, 0.8 mL of DYQ-660-containing silica nanoparticle dispersion surface-modified by adsorption with a mouse anti-influenza B virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody was evenly applied to the same conjugate pad, and this was placed in a desiccator overnight. Dry under reduced pressure. Thereby, a conjugate pad formed by impregnating silica nanoparticles containing rhodamine and silica nanoparticles containing DYQ-660 was prepared.
Subsequently, for the production of the antibody-immobilized membrane, the mouse anti-A type was used as a test line having a width of about 1 mm around the center (about 12 mm from the end) of the membrane (length 25 mm, trade name Hi-Flow Plus 120 membrane, manufactured by MILLIPORE). A solution containing 1 mg / mL each of influenza virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody and mouse anti-type B influenza virus nucleoprotein monoclonal antibody was applied at a coating amount of 0.75 μL / cm and dried at 50 ° C. for 30 minutes. Furthermore, as a control line, an anti-mouse antibody rabbit polyclonal antibody (1 mg / mL) was applied at a coating amount of 0.75 μL / cm and dried at 50 ° C. for 30 minutes.
Backing sheet (product) of the obtained membrane, the obtained conjugate pad, the sample pad (Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (GFCP), manufactured by MILLIPORE), and the absorbent pad (Cellulose Fiber Sample Pad (CFSP) (made by MILLIPORE)) No. AR9020 (manufactured by Adhesives Research)) and cut into strips having a width of 5 mm and a length of 60 mm to obtain test strips having the structure shown in FIGS. is there.
Two test strips were prepared, and one test strip was dropped with a solution containing 5 × 10 ² FFU / mL of influenza A virus and allowed to stand for 1 minute. On the other test strip, a liquid containing 5 × 10 ² FFU / mL of influenza B virus was dropped and allowed to stand for 1 minute. The test strip to which the liquid containing influenza A virus was dripped developed a red line, and the test strip to which the liquid containing influenza B was dropped was colored blue.

Example 3 (Fluorescence sensitive detection)
Silica particles containing fluorescein were prepared by the same method as in Reference Example 1 (average particle size 93 nm, yield 88%), and anti-hCG antibody (Anti-hCG clone codes / 5008, Medix) by the same method as in Example 1. The surface was modified by adsorption using Biochemica. In the same manner as in Example 1, 0.8 ml of fluorescein-containing silica nanoparticles surface-modified by adsorption with the anti-hCG antibody was applied to Glass Fiber Conjugate Pad (GFCP, 8 × 150 mm, manufactured by MILLIPORE), and this was put in a desiccator. It was dried under reduced pressure overnight. As a result, a conjugate pad containing silica nanoparticles containing fluorescein was produced.
As in Example 1, anti-hCG antibody (alpha subunit of FSH (LH), clone code / 6601, manufactured by Medix Biochemica) was applied as a test line, and anti-IgG antibody (Anti Mouse IgG, manufactured by Dako) was applied as a control line. Backing sheet (trade name AR9020, manufactured by Adhesives Research) manufactured membrane (Hi-Flow Plus 120 membrane, manufactured by MILLIPORE), conjugate pad, absorbent pad (CFSP, manufactured by MILLIPORE), sample pad (GFCP, manufactured by MILLIPORE) 1) Assemble above and cut into strips with a width of 5 mm and a length of 60 mm to obtain test strips having the structure shown in FIGS. 1a and b. 1a and b are as described above.
100 μL of 0.5 IU / L recombinant hCG (manufactured by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) was dropped on the test strip sample pad and allowed to stand for 1 minute.
FF01-482 (trade name, manufactured by Semrock) is used as a filter on the excitation light source side, and FF01-536 (trade name, manufactured by Semrock) is used as a filter on the detector side, and the test strip is irradiated with a mercury lamp (103W). Then, imaging was performed using a CCD detector (C2741-35A (trade name, manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics)) as a detector. As a result, the fluorescence development of the test line and the control line was confirmed.
From the results of Example 3 above, it can be seen that even 1 / 100th the amount of the sample (combinant hCG) visually detected in Example 1 is detected, and high sensitivity detection by fluorescence is possible.

1 Test strip 2 Sample pad 3 Conjugate pad 4 Antibody-immobilized membrane 5 Absorbent pad 6 Backing sheet

Claims (5)

A surface-modified silica nanoparticles analytes recognizing substance, said silica particles having an average particle size of 20~600nm comprising possess a labeling substance comprising a light-absorbing substance or fluorescent substance, a synthetic polymer and a natural polymer processing to the manufacturing method of the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica particles wherein Rukoto.   The method for producing a labeling reagent silica nanoparticle according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic polymer is polyethylene glycol and the natural polymer is bovine serum albumin (BSA).   The labeling reagent silica nanoparticle for immunochromatography according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a solution containing the synthetic polymer and a solution containing a natural polymer are sequentially added to the liquid containing the silica nanoparticles. Particle production method. A step of obtaining a labeling reagent silica nanoparticle for immunochromatography by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , and
An immunochromatography method comprising a step of impregnating a liquid containing silica nanoparticles into a glass fiber pad so that the particle weight is 50 μg to ² mg per unit area (cm ² ), followed by drying under reduced pressure at room temperature. Of producing a conjugate pad for use in a medical device
A conjugate pad for immunochromatography produced by the method according to claim 4, a membrane having an antibody immobilization part coated with an antibody solution, dripped or sprayed, dried and immobilized by physical adsorption , an absorption pad , There using immunochromatographic test strip formed by serially connected in this order, the conjugate pad for the immunochromatographic this happens, dropping a liquid containing the analyte, the labeled reagent silica nanoparticles for the immunochromatographic containing said analyte The immunochromatography method which is redispersed in a liquid and causes a binding reaction between the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica nanoparticles and the specimen, and does not cause a binding reaction between the immunochromatographic labeling reagent silica nanoparticles and the specimen and the specimen. Labeling reagent silica nanoparticles for membrane movement by capillary action And wherein the method uses a test strip for the immunochromatographic.