Spatially-defined quantitative interleukin 6 (IL-6) detection using polyethylene glycol microgel sensors (μGELISA)

Cells communicate with each other in multiple ways, with proteins as one of these signals. IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in inflammation. IL-6 has a seemingly double-sided effect in liver pathologies, enhancing liver steatosis but also reducing liver injury. This ambiguous nature makes it imperative to find a research tool that can quantify local IL-6 concentrations in in vitro cell culture. By optimizing an ELISA system fitted into polyethylene glycol (PEG) microgels, we have developed an easy-to-use IL-6 sensor enabled for 3D cell culture systems. Using a confocal microscope, the microgels are able to detect IL-6 concentrations from 2.95 ng/mL and 33.56 ng/mL (middle 80% detection range). This concentration range fit well within the IL-6 release profile of small HSC aggregates, allowing us to quantify the exact IL-6 concentration starting at an average minimum distance of 14.68 μm from the aggregate. The μGELISA system could be adapted to proteins other than IL-6 by modifying the antibody sets used for capture and detection. Our μGELISA system could also be used to study cell-to-cell communication through protein signals and the effect these local concentrations have on each other, all within a closed-loop environment.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioengineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Ryoo, Hyeon

Contributors dc:contributor

• Underhill, Gregory H

• Microgel
• Sensor
• Granular hydrogel
• IL-6
• 3D Cell Culture
• Polyethylene glycol
• Hepatic stellate cell
• Microwell
• Protein sensor
• ELISA

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Hyeon Ryoo

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115420

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F115420