Development of a radioimmunoassay for human group-II phospholipase A2 and demonstration of postoperative elevation.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the determination of human group-II phospholipase A2 (M-PLA2) has been developed. M-PLA2 was purified from human spleen. Monoclonal antibody (IgG) was prepared by fusion of splenic cells from immunized mice with M-PLA2 and the mouse myeloma cell line NS-1. The RIA was carried out by a single antibody method. The assay is sensitive (0.78 micrograms/l), reproducible and specific. In healthy individuals, the serum M-PLA2 concentration ranges from 1.4 to 4.2 micrograms/l, the average being 2.2 +/- 0.1 micrograms/l (mean +/- SE). Using the RIA, we found increased serum M-PLA2 in patients with various infections and malignant tumors. We also showed the postoperative transient elevation of serum M-PLA2 in cases without any infectious complications. The elevation was independent of the surgical procedure or site. The maximum serum M-PLA2 level was seen on the 2nd to 4th postoperative day. In these patients, the serum M-PLA2 and C-reactive protein levels were significantly correlated. The present study indicated that serum M-PLA2 is an acute phase reactant.