Method, reagent and kit for latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-probnp

Abstract

To provide a method, a reagent and a kit for accurately measuring N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in a sample with high sensitivity.SOLUTION: In a latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the sample is reacted with latex particles to which an antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof is bonded in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP, a measurement reagent, and a measurement kit. [Background technology]

[0002] Brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter also referred to as BNP), also known as B-type natriuretic peptide, is derived from the BNP gene. After the BNP gene is transcribed and translated, a BNP precursor (hereinafter also referred to as proBNP) consisting of 108 amino acid residues is generated, which is then cleaved into N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter also referred to as NT-proBNP), which is physiologically inactive and consists of the 76th amino acid sequence from the N-terminus of proBNP, and physiologically active BNP, which consists of the 77th to 108th amino acid sequence of proBNP.

[0003] BNP and NT-proBNP are produced and secreted rapidly, primarily in the ventricles, where gene expression is increased in response to wall stress (stretch stress). Therefore, in heart failure, where wall stress increases, blood concentrations increase according to the severity of the condition, making measurement of BNP or NT-proBNP useful in diagnosing and monitoring heart failure.

[0004] As methods for measuring NT-proBNP, there have been reported a labeling method (Patent Document 1) in which NT-proBNP in a sample is subjected to an antigen-antibody reaction with an antibody that binds to NT-proBNP to form an immune complex, and the amount of label in the immune complex is measured; and a latex agglutination immunoassay method (Patent Document 2) in which latex particles bound to an antibody that binds to NT-proBNP in a sample are used to cause an antigen-antibody reaction with NT-proBNP in the sample, and the change in turbidity due to agglutination of the latex particles is measured as absorbance.

[0005] The above-mentioned labeling method generally requires washing (B / F separation) using a washing solution to remove substances other than NT-proBNP contained in the sample before measuring the amount of label in the immune complex, which makes the measurement time-consuming.

[0006] On the other hand, latex agglutination immunoassays, which do not require labeling and do not require B / F separation, are also used in measurements using general-purpose automated analyzers for biochemical testing. However, latex agglutination immunoassays have the problem of poor measurement sensitivity, making them difficult to apply to measurements of target components that require high sensitivity. Furthermore, because latex agglutination immunoassays do not include a B / F separation step, they are susceptible to nonspecific reactions caused by impurities contained in the sample, making accurate measurements difficult.

[0007] In latex agglutination immunoassays, anti-IgM antibodies have been reported as substances that suppress the above-mentioned non-specific reactions (Patent Document 3). Furthermore, in latex agglutination immunoassays, polyethylene glycol is a type of sensitizer (agglutination promoter), and although it is effective in increasing the sensitivity of the assay, it has been reported to have the problem of similarly increasing non-specific reactions (Patent Document 4). However, even among polyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycols with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less are not known to be able to suppress non-specific reactions in latex agglutination immunoassays. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3987284 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2022-544394 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-346844 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-85702 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Because NT-proBNP is used for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure, there is a demand for measurement reagents and kits that are more sensitive and capable of accurate measurement. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly sensitive and accurate method for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, a measuring reagent and a measuring kit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] As a result of intensive research conducted by the present inventors to solve the above-mentioned problems, they found that a highly sensitive and accurate measurement of NT-proBNP is possible by a latex agglutination immunoassay method in which NT-proBNP in a sample is reacted with latex particles to which an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof is bound in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less, and thus completed the present invention.

[0011] That is, the present invention includes the following aspects. [1] A latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, in which NT-proBNP in the sample is reacted with latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. [2] A latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising: (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting, in the aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in the sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. [3] A latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising: (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting, in the aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in the sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. [4] The method according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v). [5] The method according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v). [6] The method according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less. [7] The method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less. [8] The method according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the aqueous medium contains a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer. [9] A method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in a sample, in which NT-proBNP in a sample is reacted with latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[10] A method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by contaminants in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising: (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting, in the aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in the sample with latex particles to which an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are performed in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[11] A method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by contaminants in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising: (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting, in the aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in the sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are performed in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[12] The method according to any one of [9] to

[11] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

[13] The method according to any one of [9] to

[12] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[14] The method according to any one of [9] to

[13] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

[15] The method according to any one of [9] to

[14] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

[16] The method according to any one of [9] to

[15] , wherein the aqueous medium contains a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer.

[17] A latex agglutination immunoassay reagent for NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[18] A latex agglutination immunoassay reagent for NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, and polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[19] The reagent according to

[17] or

[18] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

[20] The reagent according to any one of

[17] to

[19] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[21] The reagent according to any one of

[17] to

[20] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

[22] The reagent according to any one of

[17] to

[21] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

[23] The reagent according to any one of

[17] to

[22] , wherein the reagent contains a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer.

[24] A latex agglutination immunoassay kit for NT-proBNP in a sample, comprising a first reagent containing an aqueous medium, and a second reagent containing latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, wherein the first reagent and / or the second reagent contain polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[25] The kit according to

[24] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

[26] The kit according to

[24] or

[25] , wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[27] The kit according to any one of

[24] to

[26] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

[28] The kit according to any one of

[24] to

[27] , wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

[29] The kit according to any one of

[24] to

[28] , wherein the first reagent further contains 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer.

[30] The kit according to any one of

[24] to

[29] , wherein the second reagent further contains 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] A highly sensitive and accurate method for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, a measuring reagent and a measuring kit are provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the embodiment described below shows an example of a typical embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being narrow. Note that numerical ranges indicated using "to" indicate ranges that include the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. Furthermore, when multiple substances corresponding to each component are present in the solution, the amount of each component in a solution refers to the total amount of the multiple substances present in the reaction or reagent, unless otherwise specified.

[0014] In this embodiment, "% (w / v)" means the percentage of mass (g) based on volume (100 mL).

[0015] In this embodiment, when an antibody is expressed as "binding" to or "reacting" with NT-proBNP, or as "recognizing" NT-proBNP, the terms include the meanings commonly used in the field of the present invention, and are all used synonymously. Methods for confirming the "binding" of an antibody to NT-proBNP include methods utilizing the principles of antigen-immobilized ELISA, competitive ELISA, sandwich ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, immunochromatography, quartz crystal microbalance, and the like, which are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] [Aqueous medium] Examples of the aqueous medium in this embodiment include deionized water, distilled water, and a buffer solution, with a buffer solution being preferred. Examples of buffering agents used to prepare the buffer solution include acetate buffer and Good's buffer. One type of buffering agent may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. The aqueous medium may contain salts, metal ions, sugars, proteins, surfactants, and the like. Examples of salts include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc. Examples of metal ions include sodium ions, magnesium ions, manganese ions, zinc ions, etc. Examples of sugars include mannitol, sorbitol, etc. Examples of proteins include bovine serum albumin (hereinafter referred to as BSA) and the like. Examples of surfactants include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, nonionic surfactants, etc. The aqueous medium may also contain a sensitizer. The sensitizer can improve sensitivity by promoting the aggregation of NT-proBNP, the component to be measured, with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP. Examples of sensitizers include salts, surfactants, polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 10,000 or more, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer, dextran, etc. Examples of salts and surfactants include those described above. A specific example (product) of polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 10,000 or more is polyethylene glycol molecular weight 20,000 (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). A specific example (product) of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (2-MPC) polymer is Lipidure-BL103 (manufactured by NOF Corporation). A specific example (product) of dextran is dextran derived from Leuconostoc spp. with a molecular weight of 450,000 to 650,000 (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich). The sensitizer not only improves the agglutination reaction (sensitivity) of the target component, NT-proBNP, but also enhances the agglutination reaction (non-specific reaction) of substances in the sample other than the target component. The concentration of the sensitizer in the aqueous medium is preferably 0.1 to 5% (w / v), more preferably 0.4 to 3% (w / v). The aqueous medium may also contain an anti-IgM antibody. The anti-IgM antibody can suppress, for example, nonspecific agglutination reactions (hereinafter also referred to as nonspecific reactions) caused by components in the sample other than the component to be measured. The anti-IgM antibody may be derived from any animal species, including rodents such as mice and rats, and mammals such as humans, monkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, and cows. The anti-IgM antibody may be a polyclonal antibody or a monoclonal antibody. The concentration of the anti-IgM antibody in the aqueous medium is preferably 3 μg / ml to 10 mg / ml. A concentration of the anti-IgM antibody in the aqueous medium within the above range is preferred because it reduces the possibility of nonspecific reactions and also reduces the possibility of reactions with various immunoglobulins contained in the sample, which can lead to variations in measured values.

[0017] [sample] The sample in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a sample that may contain NT-proBNP, and examples thereof include any one or more biological samples selected from the group consisting of whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, ascites, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, amniotic fluid, urine, sweat, and pancreatic juice, and preferred examples include whole blood, plasma, serum, ascites, etc. The sample in this embodiment may be an aqueous medium containing NT-proBNP, for example, NT-proBNP diluted with phosphate-buffered saline (10 mmol / L phosphate buffer containing 0.15 mol / L sodium chloride, pH 7.2, hereinafter referred to as PBS).

[0018] [Latex agglutination immunoassay method] In this embodiment, the latex agglutination immunoassay method is a method in which a sample containing NT-proBNP is reacted in an aqueous medium with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, thereby forming a complex containing NT-proBNP and the latex particles bound to the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and selectively agglutinating the latex particles. The agglutination can be detected by measuring absorbance, scattered light, etc.

[0019] [Latex particles] In this embodiment, the latex particles are not particularly limited as long as they enable the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment or can be used in the measurement reagent or measurement kit of this embodiment. Examples include fine particles of organic polymeric substances, fine particles of inorganic oxides, and fine particles whose surfaces as core fine particles are surface-treated with organic substances, etc. Specific examples include synthetic resins such as polystyrene, copolymers mainly composed of styrene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, (meth)acrylic resin, and polymethyl methacrylate. One type of latex particle may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. Among these, polystyrene-based synthetic polymers and polystyrene-based synthetic polymers copolymerized with acrylic acid-based monomers, sulfonic acid-containing monomers, etc. as components for imparting electric charge are particularly preferred.

[0020] Polystyrene latex particles are particularly preferred as the latex particles. The use of latex particles with a highly hydrophobic surface, such as polystyrene latex particles, allows for smooth adsorption of proteins and peptides. Polystyrene latex particles obtained by soap-free polymerization, which does not use a surfactant as an emulsifier, are particularly preferred because they can exist stably even without a surfactant due to the repulsion between negative charges on the surface. Additionally, various modified latexes (e.g., carboxylic acid-modified latex), magnetic latex (latex containing magnetic particles), and the like can also be used as needed.

[0021] The shape of the latex particles is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include spherical, elliptical, and irregular shapes. The average particle size (D50) may be, for example, 0.03 to 0.8 μm, 0.05 to 0.4 μm, or 0.1 to 0.35 μm. The average particle size (D50) can be measured, for example, with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer. The average particle size (D50) is defined as the particle size at an integrated value of 50% (volume basis) in the particle size distribution.

[0022] [NT-proBNP] NT-proBNP in this embodiment is a peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. NT-proBNP is produced by cleaving a BNP precursor (proBNP) consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 into BNP consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 and NT-proBNP. The amino acid sequences of NT-proBNP, proBNP, and BNP are shown in Table 1.

[0023] [Table 1]

[0024] NT-proBNP can be prepared according to known methods, for example, by expressing it in Escherichia coli or the like using recombinant DNA technology.

[0025] [Antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP] The antibody recognizing NT-proBNP may be a mouse antibody, rat antibody, rabbit antibody, human antibody, humanized antibody, or chimeric antibody, or may be an antibody derived from another species. Furthermore, the antibody recognizing NT-proBNP may be of any class (e.g., IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, and IgA) or any subclass (e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2) of immunoglobulin molecules.

[0026] Antibodies that recognize NT-proBNP include monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, dimers, multimers, etc., with monoclonal antibodies being preferred from the standpoints of homogeneity and stability.

[0027] In this embodiment, the antibody fragment refers to a portion of the antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP, and includes the variable domain of the antibody or at least the antigen-binding region. Examples of antibody fragments in this embodiment include Fab, Fab', F(ab')2, Fv fragments, linear antibodies, single-chain antibodies (scFv), sc(Fv)2, Fab3, domain antibodies (dAb), diabodies, triabodies, tetrabodies, and minibodies. An "Fv fragment" is the smallest antibody fragment and includes the complete antigen-recognition region and antigen-binding region.

[0028] In this embodiment, the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP may bind to the same or different sites (epitopes) of NT-proBNP. Furthermore, the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP may be the same antibody or different antibodies.

[0029] In this embodiment, the antibody or antibody fragment thereof recognizing NT-proBNP can be obtained by a conventional antibody production method using NT-proBNP or a microorganism producing NT-proBNP as an immunogen. For example, the antibody or antibody fragment can be obtained by fusing myeloma cells with antibody-producing cells obtained by immunizing an animal with the immunogen to produce cells (hybridoma), and then obtaining a monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma. Alternatively, a commercially available antibody can be used as the antibody recognizing NT-proBNP. Examples of commercially available monoclonal antibodies recognizing NT-proBNP include A10756508P anti-NT-proBNP antibody (manufactured by BiosPacific) and 4NT1cc-Mab-15F11cc anti-NT-proBNP antibody (manufactured by Hytest). In this embodiment, the monoclonal antibody recognizing NT-proBNP is also referred to as an "anti-NT-proBNP antibody."

[0030] [Latex particles bound to antibodies or antibody fragments that recognize NT-proBNP] In this embodiment, latex particles having an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound thereto refer to latex particles having an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound thereto (including a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, as described below).

[0031] The method of binding an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP to latex particles is not particularly limited as long as it enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment or is usable for the measurement reagent or measurement kit of this embodiment, and examples include physical adsorption binding, chemical bond binding, etc. Examples of physical adsorption include electrostatic bond, hydrogen bond, hydrophobic bond, etc. Examples of chemical bond include covalent bond, coordinate bond, etc.

[0032] The antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP may be bound to latex particles directly or indirectly using the aforementioned physical adsorption and / or chemical binding. Examples of indirect binding methods include a method in which the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound to latex particles using the specific binding between a pair of affinity substances such as biotin and avidin (avidin, streptavidin, neutravidin, etc.), and a method in which the antibody or antibody fragment thereof is bound to latex particles by a covalent bond via a linker.

[0033] When a set of affinity substances is used, latex particles to which an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound can be produced by binding an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound to one of the affinity substances (A) of the set with latex particles to which the other affinity substance (a) of the set is bound.

[0034] Examples of combinations of Aa include the following combinations. Combinations of biotin and avidins (avidin, neutravidin, streptavidin, etc.); Combinations of avidins (avidin, neutravidin, streptavidin, etc.) with biotin; A combination of the Fc region of an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP and an antibody that binds to the Fc region.

[0035] Examples of linkers include molecules that can covalently bond both functional groups on the surface of latex particles and functional groups possessed by antibodies or antibody fragments thereof that recognize NT-proBNP. For example, molecules that simultaneously have a first reactive group capable of reacting with a functional group possessed by antibodies or antibody fragments thereof that recognize NT-proBNP and a second reactive group capable of reacting with a functional group on the surface of latex particles, where the first reactive group and the second reactive group are different groups, are preferably used. Examples of functional groups possessed by an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and functional groups carried on the surface of latex particles include carboxyl, amino, glycidyl, sulfhydryl, hydroxyl, amide, imino, N-hydroxysuccinyl, and maleimide groups. Examples of reactive groups in linkers include allyl azide, carbodiimide, hydrazide, aldehyde, hydroxymethylphosphine, imide ester, isocyanate, maleimide, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, pentafluorophenyl (PFP) ester, psoralen, pyridyl disulfide, and vinyl sulfone.

[0036] [Polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less] In this embodiment, the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is not particularly limited as long as it enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment or is usable in the measurement reagent or measurement kit of this embodiment, and examples thereof include polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight of 200, 300, 400, 600, 1,000, 1,540, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, etc. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is not particularly limited as long as it enables the method for measuring NT-proBNP of this embodiment or can be used in the measurement reagent or measurement kit of this embodiment, and the average molecular weight may be, for example, 600 or less, 1,000 or less, 1,540 or less, 2,000 or less, 4,000 or less, or 6,000 or less. 00 to 6,000, 200 to 4,000, 200 to 2,000, 200 to 1,540, 200 to 1,000, 300 to 6,000, 300 to 4,000, 300 to 2,000, 300 to 1,540, 300 to 1,000, 600 to 6,000, 600 to 4,000, 600 to 2,000, 600 to 1,540, or 600 to 1,000.

[0037] In this disclosure, the average molecular weight refers to the number average molecular weight. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the number average molecular weight refers to a value calculated from a calibration curve using standard polyethylene oxide by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Examples of standard polyethylene oxide include TSKgel standard polyethylene oxide (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation).

[0038] Specific examples (products) of polyethylene glycols with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less include polyethylene glycol molecular weight 200, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 300, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 400, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 600, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 1,000, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 1,540, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 2,000, polyethylene glycol molecular weight 4,000, and polyethylene glycol molecular weight 6,000 (all manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Note that the "molecular weight" in the names of the above products refers to the average molecular weight, but the actual average molecular weight may be larger or smaller than this value.

[0039] [Non-specific reaction] In latex agglutination immunoassays, non-specific reactions due to impurities in biological samples can occur, making it difficult to obtain accurate measurements. Contaminants that cause nonspecific reactions include lipids, fibrin, lipophilic low-molecular-weight compounds (molecular weight 500 or less), and rheumatoid factor, which is said to be an autoantibody against the Fc region of denatured IgG.

[0040] Contaminants can also be removed from biological samples by known methods. Lipids can be removed, for example, by adsorbing them onto silica. Fibrin can be precipitated by centrifuging the biological sample, and only the supernatant can be collected. Prior to centrifugation, a fibrin production promoter (e.g., calcium ions and / or bovine thrombin) can be added to the biological sample to generate fibrin, followed by centrifugation. Lipid-soluble small molecules can be removed by adsorbing them onto charcoal (activated carbon). Rheumatoid factors can be removed, for example, by adding an enzyme such as pronase, a protease, to the biological sample and allowing it to react. However, if the enzyme remains in the biological sample, it will denature the antibody used in the latex agglutination immunoreaction, reducing its antigen-binding activity. Therefore, the biological sample must be inactivated by boiling or other methods before use in the latex agglutination immunoreaction. As described above, it is possible to remove impurities and reduce non-specific reactions by pretreating a biological sample, but the pretreatment procedure is complicated. Therefore, a latex agglutination immunoassay method that can reduce non-specific reactions without the above-mentioned pretreatment procedure is desired. The latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample of this embodiment can reduce non-specific reactions without the above-mentioned pretreatment procedure.

[0041] [Method for measuring NT-proBNP in samples] The latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample in this embodiment is a method in which NT-proBNP in a sample is reacted with latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium in the presence of a polyethylene glycol derivative having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0042] The time for reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is not particularly limited as long as it allows the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 10 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 30 seconds or more, 1 minute or more, 2 minutes or more, 3 minutes or more, 4 minutes or more, or 5 minutes or more. Furthermore, the reaction time may be, for example, 1 hour or less, 50 minutes or less, 40 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 20 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less, 9 minutes or less, 7 minutes or less, or 6 minutes or less.

[0043] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the reaction time may be 10 seconds to 1 hour, 1 minute to 10 minutes, or 3 minutes to 6 minutes.

[0044] The temperature at which NT-proBNP in a sample is reacted with an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be 0°C or higher, 4°C or higher, 10°C or higher, 15°C or higher, 20°C or higher, 25°C or higher, or 30°C or higher, or may be 50°C or lower, 45°C or lower, or 40°C or lower.

[0045] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the reaction temperature may be 4°C to 50°C, 10°C to 45°C, or 25°C to 40°C. The reaction temperature may also be 37°C.

[0046] The concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the above reaction is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.011% (w / v) or more, 0.012% (w / v) or more, or 0.013% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the above reaction may be, for example, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.06% (w / v) or less, 0.05% (w / v) or less, 0.04% (w / v) or less, 0.03% (w / v) or less, 0.025% (w / v) or less, 0.02% (w / v) or less, or 0.015% (w / v) or less.

[0047] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the above reaction may be 0.001% (w / v) to 0.1% (w / v), 0.003% (w / v) to 0.08% (w / v), 0.005% (w / v) to 0.05% (w / v), or 0.01% (w / v) to 0.02% (w / v).

[0048] The concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the above reaction is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the measurement of NT-proBNP according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.05% (w / v) or more, 0.1% (w / v) or more, 0.2% (w / v) or more, 0.3% (w / v) or more, 0.4% (w / v) or more, 0.5% (w / v) or more, 0.6% (w / v) or more, 0.7% (w / v) or more, 0.8% (w / v) or more, 0.9% (w / v) or more, or 1% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the above reaction may be, for example, 10% (w / v) or less, 9% (w / v) or less, 8% (w / v) or less, 7% (w / v) or less, 6% (w / v) or less, 5% (w / v) or less, 4% (w / v) or less, 3% (w / v) or less, 2% (w / v) or less, 1.9% (w / v) or less, 1.8% (w / v) or less, 1.7% (w / v) or less, 1.6% (w / v) or less, or 1.5% (w / v) or less.

[0049] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the above reaction may be 0.01% (w / v) to 10% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), or 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[0050] One aspect of the method for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample in this embodiment includes: (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium; wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0051] The measurement method in this embodiment may also include the following step (3) after the above step (2). (3) A step of measuring the agglutination of latex particles caused by binding between NT-proBNP and latex particles to which an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, thereby obtaining a measurement value.

[0052] <Process (1)> Step (1) is a step of mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium. In step (1), the sample containing NT-proBNP may be added to the aqueous medium and mixed, or the aqueous medium may be added to the sample containing NT-proBNP and mixed. The aqueous medium in step (1) is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the aqueous media described above.

[0053] Step (1) may be carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of not more than 6,000. The polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of not more than 6,000 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the aforementioned polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of not more than 6,000. The concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (1) is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the measurement of NT-proBNP according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.05% (w / v) or more, 0.1% (w / v) or more, 0.2% (w / v) or more, 0.3% (w / v) or more, 0.4% (w / v) or more, 0.5% (w / v) or more, 0.6% (w / v) or more, 0.7% (w / v) or more, 0.8% (w / v) or more, 0.9% (w / v) or more, or 1% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (1) may be, for example, 10% (w / v) or less, 9% (w / v) or less, 8% (w / v) or less, 7% (w / v) or less, 6% (w / v) or less, 5% (w / v) or less, 4% (w / v) or less, 3% (w / v) or less, 2% (w / v) or less, 1.9% (w / v) or less, 1.8% (w / v) or less, 1.7% (w / v) or less, 1.6% (w / v) or less, or 1.5% (w / v) or less.

[0054] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (1) above may be 0.01% (w / v) to 10% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), or 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[0055] In step (1), the sample containing NT-proBNP may be mixed with an aqueous medium and then maintained at a constant temperature for a certain period of time. The time for which the mixture is held is not particularly limited as long as it allows for the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 10 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 30 seconds or more, 1 minute or more, 2 minutes or more, 3 minutes or more, 4 minutes or more, or 5 minutes or more, or 1 hour or less, 50 minutes or less, 40 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 20 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less, 9 minutes or less, 7 minutes or less, or 6 minutes or less.

[0056] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the time for which the mixture is held may be from 10 seconds to 1 hour, from 1 minute to 10 minutes, or from 3 minutes to 6 minutes.

[0057] The temperature at which the above-mentioned mixture is maintained is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be 0°C or higher, 4°C or higher, 10°C or higher, 15°C or higher, 20°C or higher, 25°C or higher, 30°C or higher, or 50°C or lower, 45°C or lower, or 40°C or lower.

[0058] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the temperature at which the mixture is maintained may be 4°C to 50°C, 10°C to 45°C, or 25°C to 40°C. The temperature may also be 37°C.

[0059] <Process (2)> Step (2) is a step of reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium. In step (2), the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP reacts with NT-proBNP to produce a complex containing NT-proBNP and latex particles bound to the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP.

[0060] In step (2), NT-proBNP may be added to latex particles to which an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and the reaction may be allowed to proceed. Alternatively, latex particles to which an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound may be added to NT-proBNP, and the reaction may be allowed to proceed.

[0061] In step (2), an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes two or more types of NT-proBNP may be used instead of an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes one type of NT-proBNP. When an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes two types of NT-proBNP is used, step (2) can be carried out as follows. (2A) In an aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in a sample is reacted with latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP, and with latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP. The measurement method in this embodiment may also include the above step (3) after step (2A).

[0062] In step (2A), a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP react with NT-proBNP to produce a complex containing NT-proBNP, latex particles to which the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and latex particles to which the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound.

[0063] In step (2A), the latex particles in the latex particles to which the first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound may be the same as or different from the latex particles in the latex particles to which the second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound.

[0064] In step (2A), the reaction between NT-proBNP and latex particles bound with a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound with a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is not particularly limited as long as it is a reaction that produces a complex containing NT-proBNP, latex particles bound with a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound with a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP. For example, Alternatively, latex particles to which a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound may be reacted with the latex particles to form a complex containing NT-proBNP and latex particles to which a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and then latex particles to which a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound may be added and allowed to react. Alternatively, latex particles to which a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound and latex particles to which a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound may be mixed and allowed to react with NT-proBNP.

[0065] When NT-proBNP is reacted with latex particles bound to a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and latex particles bound to a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, there is no limitation on the order in which NT-proBNP, the latex particles bound to the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and the latex particles bound to the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP are added. For example, the order in which NT-proBNP, the latex particles bound to the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and the latex particles bound to the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP are added may be any order. Alternatively, latex particles to which a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or a fragment thereof is bound may be added to NT-proBNP, and then latex particles to which a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or a fragment thereof is bound may be added; or latex particles to which a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or a fragment thereof is bound and a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or a fragment thereof may be mixed, and then NT-proBNP may be added.

[0066] Step (2A) may be divided into the following steps (2A-1) and (2A-2). (2A-1) a step of reacting, in an aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof, to produce a complex 1 containing NT-proBNP and latex particles bound to the first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof; and (2A-2) A step of reacting the complex 1 produced in step (1) with latex particles bound to a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium to produce a complex 2 containing NT-proBNP, latex particles bound to a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and latex particles bound to a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP. The measurement method in this embodiment may also include the above step (3) after step (2A-2).

[0067] In the above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1), or step (2A-2), an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP may be bound to latex particles in an aqueous medium. Methods for binding the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP to latex particles include, for example, the binding methods described above.

[0068] The reaction time for step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) is not particularly limited as long as it enables the measurement of NT-proBNP according to the present embodiment, and may be, for example, 10 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 30 seconds or more, 1 minute or more, 2 minutes or more, 3 minutes or more, 4 minutes or more, or 5 minutes or more, or 1 hour or less, 50 minutes or less, 40 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 20 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less, 9 minutes or less, 7 minutes or less, or 6 minutes or less.

[0069] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the reaction time in step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1), or step (2A-2) may be 10 seconds to 1 hour, 1 minute to 10 minutes, or 3 minutes to 6 minutes.

[0070] The reaction temperature in the above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature that enables the measurement of NT-proBNP according to the present embodiment, and may be 0°C or higher, 4°C or higher, 10°C or higher, 15°C or higher, 20°C or higher, 25°C or higher, 30°C or higher, or 50°C or lower, 45°C or lower, or 40°C or lower.

[0071] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the temperature at which the mixture is maintained may be 4°C to 50°C, 10°C to 45°C, or 25°C to 40°C. The temperature may also be 37°C.

[0072] The concentration of the latex particles to which an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound in the above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.011% (w / v) or more, 0.012% (w / v) or more, or 0.013% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles having an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound thereto in the above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) may be, for example, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.06% (w / v) or less, 0.05% (w / v) or less, 0.04% (w / v) or less, 0.03% (w / v) or less, 0.025% (w / v) or less, 0.02% (w / v) or less, or 0.015% (w / v) or less.

[0073] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles to which an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound in step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1), or step (2A-2) may be 0.001% (w / v) to 0.1% (w / v), 0.003% (w / v) to 0.08% (w / v), 0.005% (w / v) to 0.05% (w / v), or 0.01% (w / v) to 0.02% (w / v).

[0074] In the above step (2A) or step (2A-2), the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP means the sum of the concentration of latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP and the concentration of latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP.

[0075] The concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the measurement of NT-proBNP according to this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.05% (w / v) or more, 0.1% (w / v) or more, 0.2% (w / v) or more, 0.3% (w / v) or more, 0.4% (w / v) or more, 0.5% (w / v) or more, 0.6% (w / v) or more, 0.7% (w / v) or more, 0.8% (w / v) or more, 0.9% (w / v) or more, or 1% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) may be, for example, 10% (w / v) or less, 9% (w / v) or less, 8% (w / v) or less, 7% (w / v) or less, 6% (w / v) or less, 5% (w / v) or less, 4% (w / v) or less, 3% (w / v) or less, 2% (w / v) or less, 1.9% (w / v) or less, 1.8% (w / v) or less, 1.7% (w / v) or less, 1.6% (w / v) or less, or 1.5% (w / v) or less.

[0076] The above numerical values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1), or step (2A-2) may be 0.01% (w / v) to 10% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), or 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[0077] The above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2) is preferably carried out in an aqueous medium, such as the aqueous medium described above. Furthermore, the above-mentioned salts, sugars, proteins, etc. may be contained in the above step (2), step (2A), step (2A-1) or step (2A-2).

[0078] <Process (3)> Step (3) is a step of optically measuring the aggregation of latex particles accompanying the production of the conjugate of step (2), the conjugate of step (2A), or the conjugate 2 of step (2A-2). Examples of a method for optically measuring aggregation include a method of measuring absorbance, scattered light intensity, or transmitted light intensity using an optical instrument.

[0079] The wavelength for measuring absorbance is usually 340 nm to 1000 nm, preferably 500 nm to 900 nm. The time for measuring the latex agglutination reaction can be measured by measuring the rate of change per unit time over which the latex agglutination reaction is occurring, or by measuring the amount of change over a fixed period of time. For example, when measuring absorbance, the rate of change in absorbance per unit time from 30 seconds to 5 minutes after the start of the latex agglutination reaction can be measured, or by measuring the amount of change in absorbance over a fixed period of time. The reaction temperature is preferably 10 to 50°C, and more preferably 20 to 40°C. The reaction time can be determined appropriately; for example, a general-purpose automatic analyzer can be used to measure a reaction time of 10 to 15 minutes.

[0080] After the above step (3), the concentration of NT-proBNP in the sample can also be determined by carrying out the following steps (4) and (5). (4) performing the above steps (1) to (3) using a sample having a known concentration of NT-proBNP to prepare a calibration curve showing the relationship between the NT-proBNP concentration and the measured value; (5) A step of determining the concentration of NT-proBNP in the sample from the calibration curve prepared in step (4) and the measured value obtained by the measurement in step (3).

[0081] Examples of NT-proBNP of known concentrations include NT-proBNP solutions prepared by diluting commercially available NT-proBNP with PBS. Multiple concentrations of NT-proBNP of known concentrations may also be prepared. Examples of commercially available NT-proBNP include 8NT2 Human recombinant NT-proBNP (manufactured by Hytest).

[0082] The concentration of NT-proBNP in a known concentration of NT-proBNP is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables measurement of NT-proBNP, and may be, for example, 1 pg / ml or more, 5 pg / ml or more, 10 pg / ml or more, 20 pg / ml or more, 30 pg / ml or more, 40 pg / ml or more, 50 pg / ml or more, 60 pg / ml or more, 70 pg / ml or more, 80 pg / ml or more, 90 pg / ml or more, 100 pg / ml or more, 120 pg / ml or more, 140 pg / ml or more, 160 pg / ml or more, 180 pg / ml or more, 200 pg / ml or more, or 300 pg / ml or more. pg / ml or more, 220 pg / ml or more, 240 pg / ml or more, 260 pg / ml or more, 280 pg / ml or more, 300 pg / ml or more, 320 pg / ml or more, 340 pg / ml or more, 360 pg / ml or more, 380 pg / ml or more, 400 pg / ml or more, 420 pg / ml or more, 440 pg / ml or more, 460 pg / ml or more, 480 pg / ml or more, 500 pg / ml or more, 600 pg / ml or more, 700 pg / ml or more, 800 pg / ml or more, 900 pg / ml or more, or 1000 pg / ml or more. The concentration of NT-proBNP in the known concentration of NT-proBNP is, for example, 150,000 pg / ml or less, 140,000 pg / ml or less, 130,000 pg / ml or less, 120,000 pg / ml or less, 110,000 pg / ml or less, 100,000 pg / ml or less, 90,000 pg / ml or less, 80,000 pg / ml or less, 70,000 pg / ml or less, 60,000 pg / ml or less, 50,000 pg / ml or less, 40,000 pg / ml or less, 30,000 pg / ml or less, 1 or less, 20,000 pg / ml or less, 18,000 pg / ml or less, 16,000 pg / ml or less, 14,000 pg / ml or less, 12,000 pg / ml or less, 11,000 pg / ml or less, 10,000 pg / ml or less, 9,000 pg / ml or less, 8,000 pg / ml or less, 7,000 pg / ml or less, 6,000 pg / ml or less, 5,000 pg / ml or less, 4,000 pg / ml or less, 3,500 pg / ml or less, 3,000 pg / ml or less, or 2,000 pg / ml or less.

[0083] The above values ​​can be freely combined, and may be, for example, 100 pg / ml to 100,000 pg / ml, 100 pg / ml to 50,000 pg / ml, 200 pg / ml to 16,000 pg / ml, 200 pg / ml to 4,000 pg / ml, or 200 pg / ml to 3,500 pg / ml.

[0084] [Method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in biological samples] By carrying out the method for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample according to the present embodiment, non-specific reactions caused by impurities in the biological sample can be suppressed. The non-specific reactions are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the non-specific reactions described above. Examples of the method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in a biological sample include the following.

[0085] (Aspect 1) A method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, in which NT-proBNP in the sample is reacted with latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0086] (Aspect 2) (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium; a method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, the method comprising the steps (1) and / or (2) being carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0087] (Aspect 3) (1) mixing a sample containing NT-proBNP with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting, in an aqueous medium, NT-proBNP in the sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and latex particles bound to a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP; a method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by impurities in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample, the method comprising the steps (1) and / or (2) being carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0088] In the above-mentioned suppression method, the latex particles having an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, and the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less can be, for example, the above-mentioned latex particles having an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, and the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. Furthermore, the concentration of each additive, reaction temperature, reaction time, etc. in each step in the above-mentioned inhibition method may be, for example, the concentration of each additive, reaction temperature, reaction time, etc. in each step in the aforementioned latex agglutination immunoassay method for NT-proBNP in a sample.

[0089] [Reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in samples] The reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample of this embodiment is a reagent used in the method for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample of this embodiment. One aspect (Aspect 1) of the measuring reagent is a reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, which comprises latex particles, an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. In embodiment 1, the latex particles and the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP can be bound via two affinity substances. Methods for binding the antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP to the latex particles include, for example, the binding methods described above.

[0090] Another aspect (aspect 2) of the measurement reagent is a reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, which comprises latex particles to which an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less. Another aspect (Aspect 3) of the measurement reagent is a reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, which comprises latex particles bound to a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, latex particles bound to a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0091] In the reagents of Aspects 1 to 3, the latex particles, the latex particles having an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, and the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less can be, for example, the above-mentioned latex particles, the latex particles having an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a first antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, the latex particles having a second antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof bound thereto, and the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0092] The first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, may be bound to latex particles directly or indirectly using the aforementioned physical adsorption and / or chemical binding. Examples of indirect binding methods include a method in which the first antibody or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound to latex particles using the specific binding of the aforementioned pair of affinity substances, or a method in which the first antibody or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound to latex particles by covalent binding via a linker.

[0093] When a set of affinity substances is used, latex particles to which the first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, or latex particles to which the second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, can be produced by binding a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP bound to one of the affinity substances (A) of the set, or a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP bound to one of the affinity substances (A), to latex particles to which the other affinity substance (a) of the set is bound. Examples of combinations of Aa include the combinations mentioned above. Examples of the linker include the molecules described above.

[0094] The concentration of latex particles in the reagent of Aspect 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.008% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.015% (w / v) or more, 0.02% (w / v) or more, 0.03% (w / v) or more and 0.04% (w / v) or more, or 0.05% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles in the reagent of Aspect 1 may be, for example, 1% (w / v) or less, 0.8% (w / v) or less, 0.5% (w / v) or less, 0.3% (w / v) or less, 0.2% (w / v) or less, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.09% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.07% (w / v) or less, or 0.06% (w / v) or less.

[0095] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles in the reagent of embodiment 1 may be 0.001% (w / v) to 1% (w / v), 0.003% (w / v) to 0.5% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 0.1% (w / v), or 0.02% (w / v) to 0.08% (w / v).

[0096] The concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the reagent of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.008% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.015% (w / v) or more, 0.02% (w / v) or more, 0.03% (w / v) or more and 0.04% (w / v) or more, or 0.05% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles having bound thereto an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the reagent of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3 may be, for example, 1% (w / v) or less, 0.8% (w / v) or less, 0.5% (w / v) or less, 0.3% (w / v) or less, 0.2% (w / v) or less, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.09% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.07% (w / v) or less, or 0.06% (w / v) or less.

[0097] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the reagent of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3 may be 0.001% (w / v) to 1% (w / v), 0.003% (w / v) to 0.5% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 0.1% (w / v), or 0.02% (w / v) to 0.08% (w / v). In the reagent of Aspect 3, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP means the sum of the concentration of latex particles bound to a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP and the concentration of latex particles bound to a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP.

[0098] The concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the NT-proBNP measurement reagent of this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.05% (w / v) or more, 0.1% (w / v) or more, 0.2% (w / v) or more, 0.3% (w / v) or more, 0.4% (w / v) or more, 0.5% (w / v) or more, 0.6% (w / v) or more, 0.7% (w / v) or more, 0.8% (w / v) or more, 0.9% (w / v) or more, or 1% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the NT-proBNP measurement reagent of this embodiment may be, for example, 10% (w / v) or less, 9% (w / v) or less, 8% (w / v) or less, 7% (w / v) or less, 6% (w / v) or less, 5% (w / v) or less, 4% (w / v) or less, 3% (w / v) or less, 2% (w / v) or less, 1.9% (w / v) or less, 1.8% (w / v) or less, 1.7% (w / v) or less, 1.6% (w / v) or less, or 1.5% (w / v) or less.

[0099] The above numerical values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the NT-proBNP measurement reagent of this embodiment may be 0.01% (w / v) to 10% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), or 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[0100] The measurement reagent of this embodiment may be in a freeze-dried state or in a liquid state. When a freeze-dried measurement reagent is used, it is dissolved in an aqueous medium before measurement to form a liquid and then used for measurement. The aqueous medium used for dissolution is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the aqueous media described above. The aqueous medium may contain the salts, sugars, proteins, surfactants, sensitizers, anti-IgM antibodies, etc. described above. In the liquid test reagent, at least one selected from the group consisting of latex particles, a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is mixed in an aqueous medium. The aqueous medium is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the aqueous media described above. The aqueous medium may contain the salts, sugars, proteins, surfactants, sensitizers, anti-IgM antibodies, etc. described above.

[0101] [NT-proBNP measurement kit in samples] The reagent for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample of this embodiment can also be in the form of a kit from the viewpoints of storage, transportation, distribution, etc. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the kit for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample of this embodiment will be exemplified.In the following embodiments, the latex particles to which the antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, the latex particles to which the first antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, the latex particles to which the second antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, and the polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less can be, for example, the latex particles to which the antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, the latex particles to which the first antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, the latex particles to which the second antibody recognizing NT-proBNP or its antibody fragment is bound, and the polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

[0102] Measurement kit (1) Reagent 1A containing polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less; and Reagent 2A containing latex particles to which an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound. Including, a measurement kit.

[0103] Measurement kit (2) Reagent 1B comprising an aqueous medium; and Reagent 2B contains polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and latex particles to which an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound. Including, a measurement kit.

[0104] Measurement kit (3) Reagent 1C containing polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less; a second C reagent comprising latex particles to which a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; and a third C reagent containing latex particles to which a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; Including, a measurement kit.

[0105] Measurement kit (4) a first D reagent comprising an aqueous medium; a second D reagent comprising polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and latex particles to which a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; and a third-dimensional reagent comprising latex particles to which a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; Including, a measurement kit.

[0106] Measurement kit (5) Reagent 1E, comprising an aqueous medium; a second E reagent comprising latex particles to which a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; and A third E reagent containing polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and latex particles to which a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound. Including, a measurement kit.

[0107] Measurement kit(6) Reagent 1F containing polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less; and a second F reagent comprising latex particles to which a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and latex particles to which a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound; Including, a measurement kit.

[0108] Measurement kit(7) 1G reagent containing an aqueous medium; A second G reagent comprising polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less, latex particles to which a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, and latex particles to which a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound. Including, a measurement kit.

[0109] The first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, may be bound to latex particles directly or indirectly using the aforementioned physical adsorption and / or chemical binding. Examples of indirect binding methods include a method in which the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, is bound to latex particles using the specific binding of the aforementioned pair of affinity substances, or a method in which the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, or the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof is bound to latex particles by covalent binding via a linker.

[0110] When a set of affinity substances is used, latex particles to which the first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, or latex particles to which the second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is bound, can be produced by binding a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound to one of the affinity substances (A) of the set, or a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound to one of the affinity substances (A), to latex particles to which the other affinity substance (a) of the set is bound. Examples of combinations of Aa include the combinations mentioned above. Examples of the linker include the molecules described above.

[0111] The concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in Reagent 2A or Reagent 2B is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.008% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.015% (w / v) or more, 0.02% (w / v) or more, 0.03% (w / v) or more and 0.04% (w / v) or more, or 0.05% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles having an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound thereto in the second A reagent or the second B reagent may be, for example, 1% (w / v) or less, 0.8% (w / v) or less, 0.5% (w / v) or less, 0.3% (w / v) or less, 0.2% (w / v) or less, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.09% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.07% (w / v) or less, or 0.06% (w / v) or less.

[0112] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the second A reagent or the second B reagent may be 0.001% (w / v) to 1% (w / v), 0.003% (w / v) to 0.5% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 0.1% (w / v), or 0.02% (w / v) to 0.08% (w / v).

[0113] The concentration of latex particles having an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP bound thereto in the 2nd C reagent, the 3rd C reagent, the 2nd D reagent, the 3rd D reagent, the 2nd E reagent, the 3rd E reagent, the 2nd F reagent, or the 2nd G reagent is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the NT-proBNP measurement method of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.0005% (w / v) or more, 0.001% (w / v) or more, 0.002% (w / v) or more, 0.003% (w / v) or more, 0.005% (w / v) or more, 0.008% (w / v) or more, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.015% (w / v) or more, 0.02% (w / v) or more, or 0.025% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of latex particles having bound thereto an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the reagent may be, for example, 1% (w / v) or less, 0.8% (w / v) or less, 0.5% (w / v) or less, 0.3% (w / v) or less, 0.2% (w / v) or less, 0.1% (w / v) or less, 0.09% (w / v) or less, 0.08% (w / v) or less, 0.07% (w / v) or less, 0.06% (w / v) or less, 0.05% (w / v) or less, 0.04% (w / v) or less, or 0.03% (w / v) or less.

[0114] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the reagent may be 0.0005% (w / v) to 0.5% (w / v), 0.002% (w / v) to 0.3% (w / v), 0.005% (w / v) to 0.05% (w / v), or 0.01% (w / v) to 0.04% (w / v). In the second F reagent or the second G reagent, the concentration of latex particles bound to an antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP means the sum of the concentration of latex particles bound to a first antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP and the concentration of latex particles bound to a second antibody or its antibody fragment that recognizes NT-proBNP.

[0115] The concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in Reagent 1A, Reagent 2B, Reagent 1C, Reagent 2D, Reagent 3E, Reagent 1F, or Reagent 2G is not particularly limited as long as it is a concentration that enables the measurement of NT-proBNP of this embodiment, and may be, for example, 0.01% (w / v) or more, 0.05% (w / v) or more, 0.1% (w / v) or more, 0.2% (w / v) or more, 0.3% (w / v) or more, 0.4% (w / v) or more, 0.5% (w / v) or more, 0.6% (w / v) or more, 0.7% (w / v) or more, 0.8% (w / v) or more, 0.9% (w / v) or more, or 1% (w / v) or more. Furthermore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the above-mentioned reagent may be, for example, 10% (w / v) or less, 9% (w / v) or less, 8% (w / v) or less, 7% (w / v) or less, 6% (w / v) or less, 5% (w / v) or less, 4% (w / v) or less, 3% (w / v) or less, 2% (w / v) or less, 1.9% (w / v) or less, 1.8% (w / v) or less, 1.7% (w / v) or less, 1.6% (w / v) or less, or 1.5% (w / v) or less.

[0116] The above values ​​can be freely combined. For example, the concentration of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less in the reagent may be 0.01% (w / v) to 10% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v), or 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

[0117] The constituent reagents of the measurement kit of this embodiment may be in a lyophilized state or in a liquid state. When the reagents constituting the assay kit are in a lyophilized state, they are dissolved in an aqueous medium prior to assay to form a liquid. Examples of the aqueous medium include those mentioned above. The aqueous medium may contain the aforementioned salts, sugars, proteins, surfactants, sensitizers, anti-IgM antibodies, etc.

[0118] When the constituent reagents of the assay kit are in liquid form, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less, a first antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and a second antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP is dissolved or mixed in an aqueous medium. Examples of the aqueous medium include the aqueous media described above. The aqueous medium may also contain the salts, sugars, proteins, surfactants, sensitizers, anti-IgM antibodies, etc. described above.

[0119] The above-mentioned measurement kits (1) to (7) may contain a sample dilution reagent containing an aqueous medium as a reagent for diluting the sample. Examples of the aqueous medium include the above-mentioned aqueous media. The aqueous medium may contain the above-mentioned salts, sugars, proteins, surfactants, sensitizers, anti-IgM antibodies, etc. Furthermore, the above-mentioned measurement kits (1) to (7) may also contain the above-mentioned washing solution, a standard substance reagent containing NT-proBNP of a known concentration as a standard substance, and an instruction manual describing the measurement method of this embodiment.

[0120] Examples of NT-proBNP of known concentrations include NT-proBNP solutions prepared by diluting commercially available NT-proBNP with PBS. Multiple concentrations of NT-proBNP of known concentrations may also be prepared. Examples of commercially available NT-proBNP include 8NT2 Human recombinant NT-proBNP (manufactured by Hytest). In the case of NT-proBNP of known concentration as a standard substance, the concentration of NT-proBNP may be, for example, the above-mentioned concentrations. [Example]

[0121] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the following examples, reagents from the following manufacturers were used.

[0122] Carboxyl group-modified polystyrene latex (average particle size 400 nm) (Fujikura Chemical Industries, Ltd.), N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine (Bicine) (Dojindo Laboratories, Ltd.), Sulfo-NHS (Thermo Fisher Scientific), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (Thermo Fisher Scientific), A10756508P anti-NT-proBNP antibody (primary antibody) (BiosPacific), 4NT1cc-Mab-15F11cc anti-NT-proBNP antibody (secondary antibody) (Hytest), NT-proBNP measurement kit "Eclusis (registered trademark) Reagent NT-proBNP II" (Roche Diagnostics), 8NT2 Human recombinant NT-proBNP (recombinant NT-proBNP) (Hytest), disodium hydrogen phosphate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Bovogen), sodium chloride (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), Lipidure-BL103 (NOF Corporation), polyethylene glycol molecular weight 300 (PEG300) (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), polyethylene glycol molecular weight 600 (PEG600) (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), polyethylene glycol molecular weight 1,000 (PEG1,000) (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), polyethylene glycol molecular weight 2,000 (PEG2,000) (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), polyethylene glycol Polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 6,000 (PEG 6,000) (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 20,000 (PEG 20,000) (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) were used.

[0123] [Experimental Example 1] Preparation of antibody-bound latex particle solution Sulfo-NHS and EDC were added to 50 mmol / L aqueous bicine solution (pH 9.0) containing 0.5% (w / v) carboxyl-modified polystyrene latex according to the manufacturer's recommended method, and the carboxyl groups on the surface of the latex were reacted with the sulfo-NHS and EDC. The primary antibody was then added to the reacted solution at a concentration of 0.5 mg / mL and stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours to bind the primary antibody to the latex. The antibody-sensitized solution was then centrifuged at 15,000 g for 20 minutes, and the supernatant was removed to recover the precipitate (first run). The recovered precipitate (first run) was then added to 50 mmol / L aqueous bicine solution (pH 9.0) and ultrasonically dispersed, followed by centrifugation at 15,000 g for 20 minutes. The supernatant was removed and the precipitate (second run) was recovered. Next, 50 mmol / L aqueous bicine solution (pH 9.0) was added to the precipitate (second time) to make the latex concentration 0.5% (w / v), and the mixture was ultrasonically dispersed to obtain a first antibody-bound latex particle solution. The process from adding the aqueous bicine solution to collecting the centrifugal precipitate was repeated twice to thoroughly remove unbound first antibody that had not bound to the latex. Next, a solution of second antibody-bound latex particles was prepared in the same manner except that the second antibody was used instead of the first antibody.

[0124] [Experimental Example 2] Preparation of evaluation samples Whole blood collected from five healthy individuals was centrifuged at 800 g for 20 minutes to recover the supernatant, and five human serum samples were prepared, designated as Evaluation Samples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Evaluation Samples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were measured using the NT-proBNP measurement kit "Eclusis (registered trademark) Reagent NT-proBNP II." The NT-proBNP concentrations were 18.4 pg / mL for Evaluation Sample 1, 13.6 pg / mL for Evaluation Sample 2, 41.3 pg / mL for Evaluation Sample 3, 46.8 pg / mL for Evaluation Sample 4, and 18.6 pg / mL for Evaluation Sample 5.

[0125] [Experimental Example 3] Preparation of NT-proBNP Standards 1 to 5 An NT-proBNP standard having the following composition was prepared. 50mmol / L phosphate buffer (pH6.0) (Prepared using disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate) BSA 75g / L Recombinant NT-proBNP (contents listed below) A total of five NT-proBNP standards with recombinant NT-proBNP contents of 0 pg / mL (no additives), 300 pg / mL, 900 pg / mL, 1500 pg / mL, and 2000 pg / mL were prepared and designated NT-proBNP standards 1 to 5.

[0126] [Example 1] Preparation of NT-proBNP measurement kit A measurement kit A containing a first reagent and a second reagent having the following compositions was prepared. (First Reagent) 100mmol / L phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) (Prepared using disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate) BSA 10g / L Sodium chloride 100mmol / L Lipidure-BL103 1.1% (w / v) PEG600 1.0% (w / v) (Second reagent) 10mmol / L Bicine aqueous solution (pH8.0) 82%(v / v) First antibody-bound latex particle solution 13.5% (v / v) Secondary antibody-conjugated latex particle solution 4.5% (v / v)

[0127] [Comparative Example 1] Preparation of NT-proBNP measurement kit A measurement kit a containing a first reagent and a second reagent having the following compositions was prepared. (First Reagent) 100mmol / L phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) (Prepared using disodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate) BSA 10g / L Sodium chloride 100mmol / L Lipidure-BL103 1.1% (w / v) (Second reagent) 10mmol / L Bicine aqueous solution (pH8.0) 82%(v / v) First antibody-bound latex particle solution 13.5% (v / v) Secondary antibody-conjugated latex particle solution 4.5% (v / v) Measurement kit a of Comparative Example 1 is the same as measurement kit A of Example 1, except that the first reagent does not contain PEG600.

[0128] [Example 2] Calculation of NT-proBNP measurement values ​​of evaluation samples Using an automatic analyzer 3500 (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation) and measurement kit A, evaluation samples 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were measured according to the following procedure, and NT-proBNP measurement values ​​were calculated. (1) Preparation of a calibration curve for NT-proBNP measurement The measurement kit used was the measurement kit A of Example 1, and the samples used were NT-proBNP standards 1 to 5 of Experimental Example 3 (five standards with NT-proBNP contents of 0 pg / mL, 300 pg / mL, 900 pg / mL, 1500 pg / mL, and 2000 pg / mL, respectively). The absorbance of the NT-proBNP standards was measured according to the following procedure. Standard 1 (13 μL) and the first reagent (137 μL) of the measurement kit A of Example 1 were added to a reaction cell, and the reaction was allowed to proceed at 37°C for 5 minutes. The absorbance (E1) of the reaction solution was measured at a main wavelength of 570 nm without a secondary wavelength. Next, the second reagent (50 μL) of the kit A of Example 1 was added to the reaction solution, and the reaction was allowed to proceed for a further 5 minutes at 37°C. The absorbance (E2) of the reaction solution was measured at a main wavelength of 570 nm without a secondary wavelength. E1 was subtracted from E2 to obtain the absorbance difference ΔE 標準品1 Next, the absorbance difference ΔE was calculated in the same manner except that Standards 2 to 5 were used instead of Standard 1. 標準品2 , absorbance difference ΔE 標準品3 , absorbance difference ΔE 標準品4 , and absorbance difference ΔE 標準品5 The calculated absorbance difference ΔE標準品1 , absorbance difference ΔE 標準品2 , absorbance difference ΔE 標準品3 , absorbance difference ΔE 標準品4 , and absorbance difference ΔE 標準品5 Using this, a calibration curve showing the relationship between NT-proBNP concentration (pg / mL) and absorbance was created according to the spline calibration curve setting method preset in the automatic analyzer 3500.

[0129] (2) Calculation of NT-proBNP concentration measurements in evaluation samples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Using measurement kit A of Example 1 and evaluation specimens 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 prepared in Experimental Example 2 as samples, the absorbance difference relative to the NT-proBNP concentration was calculated for evaluation specimens 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 using the same procedure as in (1). (3) From the calculated absorbance difference and the calibration curve in (1), the measured NT-proBNP concentrations (pg / mL) were calculated for the evaluation samples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0130] [Comparative Example 2] Calculation of NT-proBNP measurement values ​​of evaluation samples Except for using the measurement kit a of Comparative Example 1 instead of the measurement kit A of Example 1, the NT-proBNP measurement value of the evaluation sample was calculated using the measurement kit a in the same procedure as in Example 2. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0131] [Table 2]

[0132] Although it is desirable for the measured NT-proBNP concentration to be the same as the theoretical value, in reality, the measured NT-proBNP concentration is higher than the theoretical value due to the occurrence of nonspecific reactions, i.e., agglutination reactions of latex particles not derived from NT-proBNP in the sample. Furthermore, the closer the measured NT-proBNP concentration is to the theoretical value, the more the nonspecific reactions are suppressed, and it can be evaluated that NT-proBNP can be measured more accurately. As is clear from Table 2, compared with the NT-proBNP concentration measurement values ​​when measurement kit a in Comparative Example 1 was used, the NT-proBNP concentration measurement values ​​when measurement kit A in Example 1 was used were lower and closer to the theoretical values ​​for all of evaluation specimens 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Therefore, it was revealed that when a measurement kit containing polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is used, non-specific reactions are suppressed more than when a measurement kit not containing polyethylene glycol is used, and NT-proBNP can be measured more accurately.

[0133] [Example 3] Preparation of NT-proBNP measurement kit Measurement kits B, C, D, E, F, G, and H were each prepared in the same manner as measurement kit A in Example 1, except that 0.1% (w / v) PEG300, 1.0% (w / v) PEG300, 0.1% (w / v) PEG600, 0.5% (w / v) PEG600, 1.0% (w / v) PEG1,000, 1.0% (w / v) PEG2,000, or 1.0% (w / v) PEG6,000, respectively, was used instead of 1.0% (w / v) PEG600 in the first reagent of measurement kit A in Example 1.

[0134] [Comparative Example 3] Preparation of NT-proBNP measurement kit Measurement kit b was prepared in the same manner as measurement kit A in Example 1, except that 1.0% (w / v) PEG20,000 was used instead of 1.0% (w / v) PEG600 in the first reagent of measurement kit A in Example 1.

[0135] [Example 4] Evaluation of absorbance differences due to non-specific reactions in NT-proBNP measurement Using measurement kit A of Example 1 and measurement kits B, C, D, E, F, G, and H of Example 3, the absorbance differences for evaluation sample 1 were calculated using the same procedure as in (2) of Example 2, except that evaluation sample 1 alone was used instead of evaluation samples 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0136] [Comparative Example 4] Evaluation of absorbance differences due to non-specific reactions in NT-proBNP measurement The absorbance difference for evaluation specimen 1 between measurement kits a and b was calculated in the same manner as in (2) of Example 2, except that measurement kit a of Comparative Example 1 and measurement kit b of Comparative Example 3 were used instead of measurement kit A of Example 1, and evaluation specimen 1 alone was used instead of evaluation specimens 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0137] [Table 3]

[0138] From the results of Comparative Example 2 and Table 2, when the evaluation specimen 1, whose theoretical value of NT-proBNP concentration is 18.4 pg / mL, was measured using the measurement kit a, the measured NT-proBNP concentration value was 25.7 pg / mL. Therefore, when the evaluation specimen 1 was measured using the measurement kit a, it was determined that an increase in the measured value (absorbance difference) due to a non-specific reaction occurred. On the other hand, from the results of Example 2 and Table 2, when the evaluation specimen 1, whose theoretical value of NT-proBNP concentration is 18.4 pg / mL, was measured using the measurement kit A, the measured NT-proBNP concentration value was 18.2 pg / mL, which was roughly the same as the theoretical value. Therefore, when the evaluation specimen 1 was measured using the measurement kit A, an increase in the measured value (absorbance difference) due to a non-specific reaction did not occur, and it was determined that the non-specific reaction was suppressed. In this test, the absorbance difference when measuring evaluation sample 1 with each measurement kit was lower than the absorbance difference when measuring using measurement kit a, and the closer it was to the absorbance difference when measuring using measurement kit A, the more suppressed the non-specific reaction was, and it was evaluated that NT-proBNP could be measured more accurately. As is clear from Table 3, the absorbance difference when the evaluation sample 1 was measured using measurement kits B, C, D, E, F, G, and H was lower than the absorbance difference when the evaluation sample 1 was measured using measurement kit a, and was closer to the absorbance difference when the evaluation sample 1 was measured using measurement kit A. Therefore, it was revealed that when a measurement kit containing polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is used, non-specific reactions are suppressed more than when a measurement kit not containing polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is used, and NT-proBNP can be measured more accurately. On the other hand, as is clear from Table 3, the absorbance difference when evaluation sample 1 was measured using measurement kit b was larger than the absorbance difference when measurement was performed using measurement kit a, revealing an increase in nonspecific reactions. In other words, it was revealed that polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 20,000 cannot suppress nonspecific reactions. [Industrial Applicability]

[0139] The present invention provides a method, reagent and kit for measuring NT-proBNP in a sample, which are effective for diagnosing and monitoring heart failure and enable highly sensitive and accurate measurement.

Claims

1. A latex agglutination immunoassay method for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as "NT-proBNP") in a sample, in which N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in the sample is reacted with latex particles bound to an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

2. (1) mixing a sample containing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium; wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

3. (1) mixing a sample containing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and with latex particles bound to a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, in an aqueous medium; wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

8. A method for suppressing non-specific reactions caused by contaminants in a biological sample in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in a sample, in which N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) in a sample is reacted with latex particles to which an antibody that recognizes NT-proBNP or an antibody fragment thereof is bound, in an aqueous medium in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

9. (1) mixing a sample containing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to an antibody or antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in an aqueous medium; wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less, and wherein a non-specific reaction caused by contaminants in a biological sample is suppressed in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in the sample.

10. (1) mixing a sample containing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) with an aqueous medium; and (2) reacting NT-proBNP in a sample with latex particles bound to a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and with latex particles bound to a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, in an aqueous medium; wherein steps (1) and / or (2) are carried out in the presence of polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less, and wherein a non-specific reaction caused by contaminants in a biological sample is suppressed in a latex agglutination immunoassay of NT-proBNP in the sample.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

15. A latex agglutination immunoassay reagent for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) in a sample, comprising latex particles bound to an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the sample, and polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

16. A latex agglutination immunoassay reagent for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) in a sample, comprising latex particles bound with a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP in the sample, latex particles bound with a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, and polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

17. The reagent according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

18. The reagent according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

19. 17. The reagent according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

20. 17. The reagent according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

21. A latex agglutination immunoassay kit for measuring N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (hereinafter referred to as NT-proBNP) in a sample, comprising: a first reagent containing an aqueous medium; and a second reagent containing latex particles bound to a first antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the sample, and latex particles bound to a second antibody or an antibody fragment thereof that recognizes NT-proBNP, wherein the first reagent and / or the second reagent contain polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less.

22. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.1% (w / v) to 5% (w / v).

23. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is 0.5% (w / v) to 3% (w / v).

24. The kit according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the polyethylene glycol has an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less and an average molecular weight of 2,000 or less.

25. The kit according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 or less is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 1,000 or less.

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