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 β1 (TGF-β1) 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 TGFβl can be readily detected in the complexity of conditioned cell media. The successful detection of the TGFßl secreted by iTAF cells in conditioned media indicates the possibility of the fluorescence sensors to monitor the cell secretion in real time.