Highly sensitive and wide-range nanoplasmonic detection of fibrinogen using erythrocyte membrane-blanketed nanoparticles

Fibrinogen, which is a glycoprotein that circulates in the blood, plays various important biological roles, e.g., in blood coagulation, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Abnormal levels of fibrinogen in plasma have been identified as a key biomarker of a variety of disorders from cardiovascular diseases to hemophilia. Therefore, the development of a quantitative assay for fibrinogen in the blood has emerged as an important issue for the prevention and diagnosis of these diseases. Meanwhile, it is well known that erythrocytes can selectively capture fibrinogen because of the fibrinogen receptor expressed on their plasma membrane. Inspired by these biological interactions, herein, we devised an erythrocyte membrane (EM)-blanketed biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for highly sensitive detection of fibrinogen. By placing the EM onto a nanoparticle-on-substrate, we enhanced the LSPR signal, achieving highly sensitive and selective detection of fibrinogen. We demonstrated that fibrinogen detection is possible over a wide concentration range, 0.001–5.000 mg/mL, which can cover normal and pathological blood fibrinogen levels. In addition, it was verified that the biosensor selectively detects fibrinogen in comparison with other human-blood-plasma components. The nanoplasmonic sensor blanketed with the EM opens up new opportunities for the development of a robust fibrinogen-sensing technology.