Abstract
A quantitative sandwich ELISA for lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], utilizing a monoclonal capture antibody that recognizes human and rhesus monkey apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoforms in combination with a polyclonal anti-apolipoprotein B-peroxidase conjugate was developed. This assay generates a linear calibration curve from 31.2 to 1000 mg/L, is highly reproducible (intra- and interassay CV of < 5% and < or = 12%, respectively), and shows no interference from plasminogen (1 g/L), low-density lipoprotein (6.00 g/L), triglycerides (27.00 g/L from chylomicrons and 10.00 g/L from very-low-density lipoprotein), hemoglobin (5 g/L), or bilirubin (30 mg/L). This assay format quantifies the concentration of Lp(a) on an equal molar basis regardless of apo(a) isoform. In contrast, a commercially available ELISA [Macra Lp(a)] method with a monoclonal anti-apo(a) capture antibody and a polyclonal anti-apo(a) conjugate was found to underestimate the Lp(a) concentrations of individuals with lower-M(r) apo(a) isoforms--whether quantifying the Lp(a) in plasma or the purified lipoprotein. This demonstrates the importance of assay format selection in quantifying Lp(a).
Is Apolipoprotein B and Small, Dense low density lipoprotein a better marker of cardiovascular risk?
