Neuropeptide reporter assay for serum, capillary blood and blood cards

In the associated main paper (JPBA 2019), substance P was shown to be a valuable neuropeptide reporter substance to monitor the protease activity of serum. The assay was developed based on the predecessor assay using bradykinin (JPBA 2017). Both neuropeptides are of interest in inflammation and pain research and were thus explored for use with capillary blood and blood cards. Here, we present the protocols and set them in perspective to above neuropeptide assays for serum. • Neuropeptide reporter substance protease activity assay for use with fresh and dried blood. • Dabsylated Substance P and bradykinin are substrates of angiotensin-converting enzyme and other proteases. • Neuropeptides of interest in inflammation and pain.