Assay for Measurement of Intact B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Prohormone in Blood

Abstract

Background: B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP_1–32) as well as the N-terminal fragment of the prohormone containing residues 1–76 (NT-proBNP_1–76), both cleavage products of the precursor proBNP_1–108, are reported to be powerful markers for prognosis and risk stratification of heart failure. However, the intact precursor also circulates in the bloodstream. Assays for the detection of these cleavage products have been developed, but most of these assays may overestimate the concentrations of the cleavage products because they also measure the precursor form. It is therefore important to develop an immunoassay that specifically measures solely proBNP_1–108 in plasma.