Quantification of Tau-A in serum after brain injury: a comparison of two analytical platforms, ELISA and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. (12th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tzara, Ourania; Amalie Simonsen, Sofie; Sode West, Anders; Asser Karsdal, Morten; Klingenberg Iversen, Helle; Henriksen, Kim
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 36:Number 6(2022)
• Page Start: 792
• Page End: 799
• Publication Date: 2022-05-12
• Subjects: Tau-A fragment -- serum biomarker -- electrochemiluminescence immunoassay -- traumatic brain injury -- stroke; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2048692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous studies have indicated the utility of the ADAM10-generated fragment of tau, Tau-A, as marker of neuronal damage. However, the sensitivity of the ELISA-based system was limited. Objectives: We utilized the extensive dynamic range of electrochemiluminescence compared to colorimetric assessment to improve the sensitivity of the Tau-A assay and investigate Tau-A levels after brain injury. Methods: We converted the Tau-A competitive ELISA to a competitive electrochemiluminescence-based immunoassay, Tau-A ECLIA, and compared the methods by measuring serum samples in a TBI (n = 40) and a stroke cohort (n = 64). Results: The Tau-A ECLIA was technically robust. Only 1% of the samples was below the detection limit in the ECLIA compared to 10.6% in the ELISA . Tau-A measured in both assays could discriminate between patients with a TBI and non-trauma controls (ELISA: p = 0.0005, ECLIA: p = 0.0002). The increased dynamic range of the Tau-A ECLIA also allowed discrimination between healthy controls from patients with hemorrhagic ( p = 0.0172) and severe ischemic stroke ( p = 0.0118) respectively, as well as patients with mild ischemic stroke from severe ( p = 0.0445). Conclusions: The Tau-A ECLIA was characterized by dynamic range compared to the ELISA, which facilitated a better separation between the patient groups. Tau-A warrants further investigation as a neuronal injury associated marker.