Immunomagnetic separation of subpopulations of apolipoprotein A-I.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to measure the subfractions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with diabetes or coronary artery disease and in normal control subjects. DESIGN: A new immunomagnetic separation technique was used to characterize the lipid profile in four groups: (1) control subjects, (2) patients with diabetes but no coronary artery disease (CAD), (3) those with CAD only, and (4) those with both diabetes and CAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To study the individual roles of the two discrete HDL subpopulations of particles--LpAI/AII (apolipoprotein [apo] A-I associated with A-II) and LpAI (apo A-I without A-II)--in lipoprotein metabolism, we developed an immunomagnetic separation technique using magnetic beads coated with antibodies to human apo A-II. The beads bind particles that contain both apo A-II and apo A-I and are precipitated by a magnetic field. LpAI levels were measured in the supernatant by performing an apo A-I radioimmunoassay. LpAI/AII levels were determined by subtracting the LpAI levels from total plasma apo A-I. RESULTS: In comparison with control subjects, patients with diabetes, CAD, or both had significantly decreased levels of LpAI/AII. LpAI levels were normal in patients with diabetes without CAD but significantly lower than control values in those with diabetes and CAD. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that both subpopulations of HDL particles have implications in the development of atherosclerosis in patients with and without diabetes.