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Lp-PLA2: an emerging biomarker of coronary heart disease
Nisha Dada1, Nam W Kim, Robert L Wolfert
1Dia Dexus, Inc, 343 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, Ca. 94080-1913, USA. ndada@diadexus.com
Insights
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) shows promise as a biomarker for coronary heart disease. This enzyme may play a key role in atherosclerosis progression, with new measurement methods enabling clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Current diagnosis and management of coronary heart disease require improvement.
- Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), also known as platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids and is linked to LDL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence supporting Lp-PLA2 as a potential biomarker for coronary heart disease.
- To highlight the proinflammatory role of Lp-PLA2 in atherosclerosis.
- To introduce a new quantitative measurement method for Lp-PLA2 mass.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating scientific evidence.
- Presentation of a new Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method for Lp-PLA2 mass quantification.
- Discussion of potential clinical applications.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence suggests Lp-PLA2 is a potential biomarker for coronary heart disease.
- Lp-PLA2 plays a significant proinflammatory role in atherosclerosis.
- A novel ELISA method for measuring Lp-PLA2 mass in human plasma has been developed.
Conclusions:
- Lp-PLA2 is a promising biomarker for coronary heart disease.
- Understanding Lp-PLA2's role in inflammation and atherosclerosis is crucial.
- The new ELISA method facilitates potential clinical applications for Lp-PLA2 mass measurement.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries. However, the diagnosis and management of coronary heart disease is far from optimal. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), also known as platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, is an enzyme that hydrolyses oxidized phospholipids and is primarily associated with low-density lipoprotein. Discussed in this review is the accumulating evidence supporting the view that Lp-PLA2 is a potential biomarker of coronary heart disease and plays and an important proinflammatory role in the progression of atherosclerosis. A new ELISA method for the quantitative measurement of Lp-PLA2 mass in human plasma developed by diaDexus, Inc. is presented. Furthermore, potential clinical applications of Lp-PLA2 mass measurements are proposed.