Immunomagnetic reduction detects amyloid β 1-42, but neither x-42 nor 1-y

Amyloid β 1-42 peptide (Aβ_1-42) is listed in the diagnostic guidelines as a plasma analyte for evaluating amyloid neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease. Owing to its ultralow concentrations in plasma, ultrasensitive analytical technologies have been developed for its accurate detection. Immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) is an ultrasensitive assay. In contrast to conventional immunoassays, which involve pairs of primary antibodies against the C-terminal and N-terminal domains of Aβ_1-42 for achieving high specificity, IMR utilizes a single primary antibody against the C-terminal domain of Aβ_1-42. Thus, IMR may be used to assay not only Aβ_1-42 but also other Aβ peptides, such as Aβ _x-42. In this work, the specificity of assaying Aβ_1-42 using IMR was investigated. The binding specificities between the C-terminal antibody used in the IMR reagent and Aβ peptides were examined through western blot analysis. Furthermore, the interference effects of other Aβs on Aβ_1-42 quantification using IMR were explored. The analytical performance, including the analytical curve, low limit of detection, high limit of detection, and storage stability of the reagents, was investigated. The C-terminal antibody only binds to Aβ_1-42, and not to Aβ_3-42, pyroglutamate-modulated Aβ_3-42 (Aβ_p3-42), Aβ_1-55, Aβ_1-38, Aβ_3-40, or Aβ_1-40. The IMR Aβ_1-42 assay developed using this antibody also demonstrated high selectivity for Aβ_1-42. The lower and upper limits of detection for assaying Aβ_1-42 were 17 fg mL^-1 and 30 000 pg mL^-1, respectively. Furthermore, the storage stability of the IMR Aβ_1-42 reagent at 2-8 °C was at least 440 days. These results reveal that the IMR assay of Aβ_1-42 exhibits high sensitivity and high specificity enabling precise measurement of Aβ_1-42 concentrations in human plasma.