Detection of TNF-α using the established ab-MPs-CLIA.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a key cytokine in inflammation and immune responses, making its rapid and accurate detection essential for disease diagnosis and management. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) using antibody-coated magnetic particles (Ab-MPs-CLIA) for TNF-α detection. From nine candidate antibodies, we identified an optimal pair through epitope competition and affinity assessments, significantly improving assay performance. The Ab-MPs-CLIA achieved a detection limit of 0.25 pg/mL, 6.8 times more sensitive than Siemens commercial kits, with a broad linear range of 9.2-1077 pg/mL. The method demonstrated excellent stability, both under accelerated conditions at 37 °C for 7 days and long-term storage at 4 °C for 12 months. It showed no cross-reactivity with common interfering substances in human serum, ensuring high specificity. Notably, the entire process, from sample preparation to result, takes just 25 min, compared to 3-4 h for both ELISA and RIA, and CLIA typically offers 10-100 times higher sensitivity than these methods. These advantages make the Ab-MPs-CLIA an ideal option for clinical laboratories, providing superior sensitivity, specificity, broader dynamic range, and greater operational efficiency than existing TNF-α detection technologies.