Aptamer-Based Lateral Flow Assays: Current Trends in Clinical Diagnostic Rapid Tests

Abstract

The lateral flow assay (LFA) is an extensively used paper-based platform for the rapid and on-site detection of different analytes. The method is user-friendly with no need for sophisticated operation and only includes adding sample. Generally, antibodies are employed as the biorecognition elements in the LFA. However, antibodies possess several disadvantages including poor stability, high batch-to-batch variation, long development time, high price and need for ethical approval and cold chain. Because of these limitations, aptamers screened by an in vitro process can be a good alternative to antibodies as biorecognition molecules in the LFA. In recent years, aptamer-based LFAs have been investigated for the detection of different analytes in point-of-care diagnostics. In this review, we summarize the applications of aptamer technology in LFAs in clinical diagnostic rapid tests for the detection of biomarkers, microbial analytes, hormones and antibiotics. Performance, advantages and drawbacks of the developed assays are also discussed.

A review of cardiac troponin I detection by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy: Under the spotlight of point-of-care testing

“…At the C-line, complementary antibodies, mainly IgG (mouse, goat, or Frontiers in Chemistry frontiersin.org rabbit) are generally immobilized, having the function of indicating that the lateral flows are effective, and that the antibodies are active. 4) absorption pad (AP); this element collects the excess liquid sample and avoids a back flow (Koczula and Gallotta, 2016;Di Nardo et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2021;Majdinasab et al, 2022). A μPAD is the result of including a passive microfluidic system in a paper-based assay; here, some form of patterning is produced by hydrophobic materials on the porous base of the paper substrate to create flow channels where the sample goes through (directed flow).…”

“…By the interaction of the detection probes with the AAC, the sandwich-shape immunocomplexes (S-SIC) are formed ( Smolsky et al, 2017 ). Although antibodies are the generic biomarker-capture reagents used in the ELISA immunoassay method, they can be substituted by aptamers, a more efficient oligonucleotide-based reagent ( Thiviyanathan and Gorenstein, 2012 ; Kimoto et al, 2019 ; Bognár and Gyurcsányi, 2020 ; Wang X. et al, 2021 ; Majdinasab et al, 2022 ). Once the immunoassay is completed, the Raman experiments can be performed either directly in the solution where the S-SIC were formed or in a dry way on the capture substrate where the immunoassay was driven (see Figures 4A,B ).…”

Aptamer based detection and separation platforms for ochratoxin A: A systematic review

“…LFAs are popular among commercial paper-based assay products for quality control, food safety assessment, and in medical and clinical centers and laboratories (Majdinasab et al, 2022). However, this method has limited sensitivity in the detection of low concentrations of analytes.…”

“…Thus, LFA strips are not ideal for these samples. Positive results of LFA tests also need confirmatory analysis (Majdinasab et al, 2022).…”

Generation and Selection of Specific Aptamers Targeting Brucella Species through an Enhanced Cell-SELEX Methodology

“…This technology can be used together with optical [ 25 ], electrochemical [ 26 ], and mechanical [ 27 ] biosensors to eliminate some of the problems associated with traditional methods. Aptamers are used in many diagnostic methods, such as lateral flow [ 28 ] and fluorescence-based assays [ 29 ], appropriate for rapid field testing, especially in endemic areas.…”