Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is one of two hormones in the body
primarily responsible for calcium regulation. PTH affects bone and kidney
tissue. The inappropriate regulation of this hormone is associated with diseases
such as primary and secondary hyperpara-thyroidism, hypoparathyroidism,
hypo/hypercalcemia, and adynamic bone disease.
PTH exists in at least two biologically active (and several
inactive) forms. Depending on the disease, multiple forms of PTH may have
important diagnostic relevance. Most PTH assays presently in use target only a
single form of PTH. Employing multiple different assays is expensive and time
consuming. The results too are often subject to errors caused by cross
reactivity of PTH variants. Thus it would be desirable to have a single,
multiplexed assay that could measure all the PTH variants present in a clinical
sample.
Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State
University have developed a multiplexed assay that can simultaneously measure 23
separate variants of PTH. This assay combines affinity isolation with mass
spectrometry to give a technique for medical diagnoses, and additionally may be
used for research to uncover other, as yet unknown, PTH variants. This method
gives the absolute or relative concentration of the different isoforms of PTH.
This assay has the potential to replace many existing tests
for different PTH variants. In addition, because a single, multiplexed assay
gives the relative abundance of different PTH variants, it can be used to track
the stage of the disease.
Potential Applications
- Diagnosis of diseases related to PTH misregulation,
including primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism,
hypo/hypercalcemia, and adynamic bone disease
- Tracking the course of the disease and the efficacy of
its treatment
- Research into other, as yet undiscovered, PTH
variants
Benefits and Advantages
- Provides a single multiplexed assay which takes the place
of several different assays for different PTH variants
- Avoids the cross-reactivity problems of existing
assays
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For more information about the inventor(s) and their
research, please see
Dr. Nelson's laboratory webpage
