Skip to main content
Log in

Development of a multiplexed chemiluminescent immunochemical imaging technique for the simultaneous localization of different proteins in painting micro cross-sections

  • Paper in Forefront
  • Published:
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The identification and localization of organic components in the complex stratigraphy of paintings play a crucial role in studies of painting techniques and authentication, restoration, and conservation of artworks. Much scientific effort has been expended for the development of analytical approaches suitable for the investigation and characterization of organic substances, allowing high sensitivity, specificity, and spatial resolution. Proteins (e.g., ovalbumin, casein, and collagen from different animal sources) are one of the classes of organic substances most widely used as painting materials. The analytical techniques commonly used for their analysis (micro Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, chromatographic techniques, and proteomic approaches) have limits related to the lack of specificity or to the absence of information concerning the stratigraphic localization of the detected proteins. Immunological techniques are a promising alternative approach for the characterization of proteins in artworks. Thanks to the high specificity of antigen–antibody reactions, these techniques are widely used for the analysis of proteins in bioanalytical and clinical chemistry and recently they have been successfully applied in the field of science for conservation of cultural heritage. The present research aimed to develop an ultrasensitive chemiluminescent immunochemical procedure for the simultaneous localization of ovalbumin and bovine casein (two common proteins found in binding media or varnishes of artistic and archaeological samples) in resin-embedded painting micro cross-sections. The possibility of performing the simultaneous identification of different proteins in painting cross-sections is of particular relevance in the field of cultural heritage because samples are often small and available in a limited number; therefore, the maximum amount of information must be obtained from each of them.

Left: image of a cross section of a painting standard sample with layers of milk and egg tempera with smalt pigment (blue grains). Right: localization of bovine casein and ovalbumin in the cross section as assessed by the multiplexed chemiluminescence immunochemical imaging technique (the signals corresponding to bovine casein and ovalbumin are displayed in shades of red and blue, respectively).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Liuveras A, Bonaduce I, Andreotti A, Colombini MP (2010) Anal Chem 82:376–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Degano I, Ribechini E, Modugno F, Colombini MP (2009) Appl Spectrosc Rev 44:363–410

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Baumer U, Dietemann P, Koller J (2009) Int J Mass Spectrom 284:131–141

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Domenech-Carbo MT, Bitossi G, Osete-Cortina L, de la Cruz-Canizares J, Yusa-Marco DJ (2008) Anal Bioanal Chem 391:1371–1379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Blasko J, Kubinec R, Husova B, Prikryl P, Pacakova V, Stulik K, Hradilova J (2008) J Sep Sci 31:1067–1073

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Prikryl P, Havlickova L, Pacakova V, Hradilova J, Stulik K, Hofta P (2006) J Sep Sci 29:2653–2663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tsakalof AK, Bairachtari KA, Chryssoulakis ID (2006) J Sep Sci 29:1642–1646

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Vicente JP, Adelantado JVG, Carbo MTD, Castro RM, Reig FB (2005) J Chromatogr A 1076:44–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Marinach C, Papillon MC, Pepe C (2004) J Cult Herit 5:231–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Colombini MP, Modugno F (2004) J Sep Sci 27:147–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Colombini MP, Ceccarini A, Carmignani A (2002) J Chromatogr A 968:79–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Fremout W, Dhaenens M, Saverwyns S, Sanyvova J, Vandenabeele P, Deforce D, Moens L (2010) Anal Chim Acta 658:156–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Leo G, Cartechini L, Pucci P, Sgamellotti A, Marino G, Birolo L (2009) Anal Bioanal Chem 395:2269–2280

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Chambery A, Di Maro A, Sanges C, Severino V, Tarantino M, Lamberti A, Parente A, Arcari P (2009) Anal Bioanal Chem 395:2281–2291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Tokarski C, Martin E, Rolando C, Cren-Olive C (2006) Anal Chem 78:1494–1502

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Messerschmidt RG, Harthcock MA (1988) Infrared microspectroscopy. Theory and applications, Dekker, New York

    Google Scholar 

  17. Prati S, Joseph E, Sciutto G, Mazzeo R (2010) Acc Chem Res 43:782–791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wild D (2005) The immunoassay handbook, 3rd edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  19. Chu P, Weiss L (2009) Modern immunohistochemistry. Cambridge University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kockaert L, Gausset P, Dubi-Rucquoy M (1989) Stud Conserv 34:183–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Johnson M, Packard E (1971) Stud Conserv 16:145–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Jones PL (1962) Stud Conserv 7:10–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Heginbotham A, Millay V, Quick M (2006) J Am Inst Conserv 45:89–105

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ramirez Barat B, de la Vina S (2001) Stud Conserv 46:282–288

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Vagnini M, Pitzurra L, Cartechini L, Miliani C, Brunetti BG, Sgamellotti A (2008) Anal Bioanal Chem 392:57–64

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Cartechini L, Vagnini M, Palmieri M, Pitzurra L, Mello T, Mazurek J, Chiari G (2010) Acc Chem Res 43:867–876

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Dolci LS, Sciutto G, Guardigli M, Rizzoli M, Prati S, Mazzeo R, Roda A (2008) Anal Bioanal Chem 392:29–35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Roda A, Pasini P, Musiani M, Girotti S, Baraldini M, Carrea G, Suozzi A (1996) Anal Chem 68:1073–1080

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Guardigli M, Marangi M, Casanova S, Grigioni WF, Roda E, Roda A (2005) J Histochem Cytochem 53:1451–1457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Bonvicini F, Mirasoli M, Gallinella G, Zerbini M, Musiani M, Roda A (2007) Analyst 132:519–523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mirasoli M, Guardigli M, Simoni P, Venturoli S, Ambretti S, Musiani M, Roda A (2009) Anal Bioanal Chem 394:981–987

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Cennini C, Frezzato F (2004) Il libro dell’arte. Neri Pozza, Milan

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rej R, Bretaudiere J-P (1980) Clin Chem 26:423–428

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (MIUR) through the PRIN 2008 project “Sviluppo di metodologie diagnostiche integrate per la caratterizzazione e la localizzazione stratigrafica della componente organica in manufatti policromi artistici ed archeologici” (prot. 2008ZRSHHB).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aldo Roda.

Additional information

Published in the special issue Analytical Chemistry for Cultural Heritage with Guest Editors Rocco Mazzeo, Silvia Prati, and Aldo Roda.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sciutto, G., Dolci, L.S., Buragina, A. et al. Development of a multiplexed chemiluminescent immunochemical imaging technique for the simultaneous localization of different proteins in painting micro cross-sections. Anal Bioanal Chem 399, 2889–2897 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4258-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4258-7

Keywords

Navigation