GlycoEVLR: Glycosylated extracellular vesicle-like receptors for targeting and sensing viral antigen

Biosensors are rapid and portable detection devices with great potential for the instant screening of infectious diseases. Receptors are the critical element of biosensors. They determine the specificity, sensitivity and stability. However, current receptors are mainly limited to antibodies and aptamers. Herein, we developed a glycosylated extracellular vesicle-like receptor (GlycoEVLR) for the rapid detection of virus antigens, specifically using SARS-CoV-2 as a model. The human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-overexpressed and heparin-functionalized HEK-293T cell membrane-cloaked Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared as functionalizing GlycoEVLR. They were characterized as spherical core–shell structures with a diameter of around 100 nm, which were perfectly comparable to natural extracellular vesicles. Binding affinities between GlycoEVLR and spike1 (S1) antigen were demonstrated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The GlycoEVLR was fixed on magnetic electrodes to construct electrochemical biosensors. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a measurement technique, the S1 antigen was detected down to 1 pg/mL within 20 min and showed a good linearity range from 1 pg/mL to 1 ng/mL. Also, the GlycoEVLR-based electrochemical biosensors showed excellent antifouling performance and stability. Overall, our work provides a useful methodology for developing extracellular vesicle-like receptors for biosensors. Combining the inherit natural receptor proteins and antifouling lipids from the host cells with engineered glycan motifs to target and sense viral antigens will open a new avenue for biosensors.