Quantification of two different types of apolipoprotein A-I containing lipoprotein particles in plasma by enzyme-linked differential-antibody immunosorbent assay.

We describe a method for measuring apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) associated and unassociated with apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) in plasma. To directly determine associated ApoA-I, we coated microtiter plates with antibody to ApoA-II, blocked the nonspecific binding sites, and incubated the plate with plasma, immobilizing the lipoprotein particles containing both ApoA-II and ApoA-I. The unbound constituents of plasma were washed away, peroxidase-labeled antibody to ApoA-I was added, the plate rewashed, peroxidase substrate added, and the resulting color measured. ApoA-I unassociated with ApoA-II was evaluated by subtracting the concentration of associated ApoA-I from the total ApoA-I concentration. The method is specific, rapid, and precise. Within- and between-assay CVs were 5.6 and 9.8%, respectively. Analytical recovery of ApoA-I was 94%. The average normolipidemic concentration of ApoA-I associated with ApoA-II in 50 women was 790 mg/L; in 50 men, it was 788 mg/L. The corresponding values for unassociated ApoA-I were 644, 577 mg/L. Both lipoprotein forms of ApoA-I were detected in all major density classes, but were most abundant in high-density lipoproteins. The technique is applicable to measurement of any two apolipoproteins that occur in both associated and unassociated forms in plasma.