Analysis of Lipoprotein Particles Using Immunoaffinity Chromatography and ELISA Techniques

Abstract

Apolipoproteins, supporting components of the lipoproteins, have a variety of structural and metabolic functions related to the metabolism of lipids. They are structural components for lipoprotein stability, but also co-factors for enzymes and binding ligands for cellular receptors. This has led to the use of apolipoproteins as specific markers for lipoprotein species classification. Following this concept, proposed 20 years ago by Pierre Alaupovic, one can postulate that the plasma lipoproteins consist of a mixture of particles which can be differentiated by their protein composition and contain one, two, or more apolipoproteins associated with lipids. Some of these particles are particularly atherogenic, some are less atherogenic, and others could be protective against premature atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, it is important to try to quantitate these described particles. These quantifications cause important analytical problems. Due to their specificity and elegance, the immunological procedures represent a logical choice for technical innovation in this field.