Immunoassay to Detect Anti-oxLDL Autoantibodies

An innovative standardized enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of anti-oxLDL autoantibodies exposes each serum sample to both oxLDL and native LDL in one microtiter well, permitting the synchronous determination of IgG and IgM antibodies.

Autoantibodies against oxLDL can be used as markers of atherosclerosis, vascular diseases, and myocardial infarction. Clinical studies have shown that anti-oxLDL concentration correlates with the severity of atherosclerosis, that oxLDL/anti-oxLDL immune complexes are detectable in atherosclerotic plaques, and that antioxidant therapy and/or diet can diminish atherogenesis, according to Imtec (Berlin, Germany). Elevated anti-oxLDL antibody concentrations are found in atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes, lupus, preeclampsia, endometriosis, and cigarette smoking.

The new assay was developed by Imtec. The company says that the enzyme immunoassays previously used to detect anti-oxLDL antibodies were inadequately standardized and rather impractical, since they required more handling time and offered a greater possibility for error.