title: Measuring nerve growth factor in saliva by immunoassay: A cautionary note.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophin, modulates a diverse set of physiologic processes in the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Studies suggest that NGF can be measured in saliva (sNGF). Historically, the method for measuring sNGF involves the off-label use of an enzyme immunoassay designed for use with cell-culture supernatants/tissue extracts (Nam et al., 2007; Ruhl et al., 2004). In a series of experiments we reveal this measurement strategy is subject to non-specific interference by constituents present in oral fluids. We conclude that the measurement of sNGF by this assay is not optimal for use with oral fluid specimens.
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Center, Salimetrics, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
authors.forename: Marla J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Matin
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Center, Salimetrics, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
authors.forename: Daming
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Center, Salimetrics, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
authors.forename: Marcus K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA; Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
authors.forename: Heidemarie K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Services, and Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Center, Salimetrics, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA.
authors.forename: Steve J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Center, Salimetrics, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA. Electronic address: sgranger@salimetrics.com.
authors.forename: Steve W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C502240:NGF protein, human; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: Immunoassay; Interference; Methods; Nerve growth factor; Saliva