A novel assay for the detection of Hepatitis C virus in blood plasma, using padlock probes and rolling circle amplification

Abstract: Hepatitis C viral infection is a globally widespread blood-borne disease affecting the liver, causing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This type of liver cancer is mainly caused by chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B. Specific detection with the following correct treatment is crucial to reduce the overall burden of the disease. This work focused on investigating whether the padlock probes and rolling circle amplification can detect Hepatitis C, determining the limit of detection, and if any blood components would inhibit the reactions. All oligonucleotides were tested for ligation functionality in 10% TBE-Ureal gel electrophoresis and used with rolling circle amplification and phi29 polymerase to determine if eye read-out was possible. The lowest concentration of detection was found to be 10 pM. To avoid inhibition in blood plasma, samples were pre-treated at 95 ˚C for five minutes. Eye read-out was possible after amplification, with 30% plasma at the highest and 5% plasma at the lowest in samples. In conclusion, this novel assay using padlock probes, a detection oligonucleotide, and rolling circle amplification holds promise in developing a simplified new detection technique for the diagnostics of Hepatitis C.