Latex immunoassay of retinol-binding protein

Latex immunoassay, a sensitive method based on latex particle agglutination, is used here for the determination of retinol-binding protein in human biological fluids. The assay, similar to that described previously for beta 2-microglobulin (Clin. Chem. 27:832-837, 1981), consists of incubating the sample at 37 degrees C for 30 min with antibody-coated particles, then quantifying the resulting agglutination by particle-counting or turbidimetry. Latex particles coated with antibody are stabilized just before use by dispersing them in a solution of bovine serum albumin at pH 10. The standard curve ranges from 0.5 to 32 micrograms/L; recovery averages 102% in urine and 93.5% in serum; between- and within-assay CVs range from 5.1 to 11.7%. The correlation coefficients of latex immunoassay with rocket immunoelectrophoresis for analysis of retinol-binding protein in 26 urines and with radial immunodiffusion in 30 sera are 0.99 and 0.91, respectively. In healthy subjects, the mean urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein is 52.5 micrograms/g of creatinine (SD = 59.2 micrograms/g of creatinine; n = 150) and the concentration in serum averages 46 mg/L (SD = 10.4 mg/L, n = 22).