Antibodies against human oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) as markers for human plasma modified lipoproteins

Recently there has been much interest in the significance and role of antibodies to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in the plasma of humans and animals with evolving atherosclerosis. The focus in our study was directed on the significance of these antibodies for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

Antibodies to human in vitro oxidized LDL were generated following the method of Kohler & Milstein and used to detect oxidized LDL in human plasma.

Several antibodies to oxLDL were selected for high reactivity against circulating modified LDL. The relationship between antibodies against oxLDL and circulating oxLDL level in human plasma was examined in normal and hyperlipidemic patients. The slight inverse relationship observed between anti-oxLDL antibodies and oxLDL levels in normal patients suggests that anti-oxLDL antibodies have a role in the clearance of oxLDL from circulation.

These antibodies can be considered as markers of the pathogenic determinants of atherosclerosis, such as enhanced lipid oxidation, pro-inflammatory stage, and impaired vasodilatation.