Concentrations Of Total Apo Research Articles

Metrologically Traceable Quantification of 3 Apolipoprotein E Isoforms in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

APOE genotype is associated with Alzheimer disease. Thus, the concentration of apolipoprotein E (apoE) isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could be altered in dementia. However, conflicting results have been obtained in different studies. Carefully validated and standardized assays could improve the interpretation of research findings, allow their replication in other laboratories, and generalize their application. To evaluate this hypothesis, we aimed to develop, validate, and standardize a new measurement procedure using LC-MS/MS. Purified recombinant apoE protein standards (E2, E3, E4) were thoroughly characterized and used to assign the concentration of a matrix-matched calibration material that contained each apoE isoform, which ensured the metrological traceability of results. The assay of each isoform in human CSF was precise (≤11%CV) and of moderate throughput (approximately 80 samples per day). It demonstrated good linearity and parallelism for lumbar CSF, ventricular CSF, and bovine CSF. The use of an SI-traceable matrix-matched calibrator enabled precise and accurate measurements. There was no association observed between total apoE concentration and the number of Ɛ4 alleles in a cohort of 322 participants. However, the concentration of each isoform was significantly different in heterozygotes, with E4 > E3 > E2. Isoform concentrations were associated with cognitive and motor symptoms but contributed negligibly to a predictive model of cognitive impairment that included established CSF biomarkers. Our method simultaneously measures each apoE isoform in human CSF with excellent precision and accuracy. A secondary matrix-matched material has been developed and is available to other laboratories to improve interlaboratory agreement.

Apolipoprotein E O-glycosylation is associated with amyloid plaques and APOE genotype

Although the APOE ε4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), the relationship between apolipoprotein (apoE) and AD pathophysiology is not yet fully understood. Relatively little is known about the apoE protein species, including post-translational modifications, that exist in the human periphery and CNS. To better understand these apoE species, we developed a LC-MS/MS assay that simultaneously quantifies both unmodified and O-glycosylated apoE peptides. The study cohort included 47 older individuals (age 75.6 ± 5.7 years [mean ± standard deviation]), including 23 individuals (49%) with cognitive impairment. Paired plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples underwent analysis. We quantified O-glycosylation of two apoE protein residues – one in the hinge region and one in the C-terminal region – and found that glycosylation occupancy of the hinge region in the plasma was significantly correlated with plasma total apoE levels, APOE genotype and amyloid status as determined by CSF Aβ42/Aβ40. A model with plasma glycosylation occupancy, plasma total apoE concentration, and APOE genotype distinguished amyloid status with an AUROC of 0.89. These results suggest that plasma apoE glycosylation levels could be a marker of brain amyloidosis, and that apoE glycosylation may play a role in the pathophysiology of AD.

Simultaneous Mass Spectrometry-Based Apolipoprotein Profiling and Apolipoprotein E Phenotyping in Patients with ASCVD and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) occurs on the majority of plasma lipoproteins and plays a major role in the lipid metabolism in the periphery and in the central nervous system. ApoE is a polymorphic protein with three common isoforms, apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4, derived from respective alleles ε2, ε3 and ε4. The aim of this study was to develop a sample pretreatment protocol combined with rapid mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay for simultaneous apolipoprotein profiling and apoE phenotype identification. This assay was validated in 481 samples from patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and applied to study association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the LIFE Adult study, including overall 690 study subjects. Simultaneous quantification of 8–12 major apolipoproteins including apoA-I, apoB-100 and apoE could be performed within 6.5 min. Phenotyping determined with the developed MS assay had good agreement with the genotyping by real-time fluorescence PCR (97.5%). ApoE2 isoform was associated with the highest total apoE concentration compared to apoE3 and apoE4 (p < 0.001). In the subgroup of diabetic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients, apoE2 isoform was related to higher apoC-I levels (apoE2 vs. apoE3, p < 0.05), while in the subgroup of ASCVD patients under statin therapy apoE2 was related to lower apoB-100 levels (apoE2 vs. apoE3/apoE4, p < 0.05). A significant difference in apoE concentration observed between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects and controls was confirmed for each apoE phenotype. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the successful implementation of an MS-based apoE phenotyping assay, which can be used to assess phenotype effects on plasma lipid and apolipoprotein levels.

Redox index of Cys-thiol residues of serum apolipoprotein E and its diagnostic potential

Background: The redox modulation of Cys-thiol participates in various pathophysiological processes. We explored the proper index for estimating the redox status of Cys-thiol of serum apolipoprotein E (apoE), named “redox-IDX-apoE,” which is necessary to understand the redox biology of age-related diseases.Methods: The fractions of the reduced form (red-), reversible oxidized form (roxi-), and irreversibly oxidized form (oxi-) apoE in serum, obtained from the patients with no apparent disease (controls, n=192) and with atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes (patients, n=16), were measured by a band-shift assay using a maleimide compound. Redox-IDX-apoE candidates were determined by calculating the values of these fractions and the total apoE concentration.Results: Cys number of apoE significantly increased for the ratio of roxi-apoE to total-apoE (roxi/total) (E2/E3>E3/E3>E3/E4) but decreased for the ratios of red-apoE to roxi-apoE (red/roxi) and [red-apoE + oxi-apoE] to roxi-apoE ([red + oxi]/roxi) (E2/E3<E3/E3<E3/E4). Considering the subjects with apoE3/E3, these ratios were independent of age and sex. Roxi/total showed negative correlations with serum triglyceride (TG) and HbA1c levels, while both red/roxi and [red + oxi]/roxi showed significant positive correlations with them. However, red/roxi and [red + oxi]/roxi in patients were significantly lower than those in controls, although serum TG and HbA1c levels in the patients were significantly higher than those in controls.Conclusion: The redox status of serum apoE-Cys-thiol is closely involved in the metabolism of TG-rich lipoproteins and glucose. The appropriate use of redox-IDX-apoE could be helpful in the diagnosis and prognosis of age-related diseases and in understanding the underlying mechanisms.

Quantification of total apolipoprotein E and its isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurodegenerative diseases

BackgroundThe human APOE gene, which codes for apolipoprotein E (apoE), has three major polymorphic alleles: ε2, ε3, and ε4 that give rise to amino acid substitutions. APOE-ε4 is a strong risk factor of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but the reason why is still unknown despite intense research for more than 20 years. The aim of the study was to investigate if the concentrations of total apoE and the specific apoE isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) differ between various neurodegenerative diseases and control individuals, as well as among the APOE genotypes.MethodsQuantification of total apoE and specific apoE isoforms (E2, E3, and E4) in CSF was performed using high-resolution parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. In total, 1820 individuals were involved in the study including clinically diagnosed AD patients (n = 228), cognitively unimpaired (CU) patients (n = 896), and patients with other neurodegenerative disorders (n = 696). Follow-up data was available for 100 individuals, assessed at two time points. Subjects were dichotomized based on an Aβ42/40 CSF concentration ratio cut-off into Aβ positive (Aβ+, < 0.091) and Aβ negative (Aβ−, > 0.091) groups.ResultsEven though there was a significant increase of total apoE in the amyloid β-positive (Aβ+) group compared with amyloid β-negative (Aβ−) individuals (p < 0.001), the magnitude of the effect was very small (AUC = 0.55). Moreover, CSF total apoE concentrations did not differ between Aβ− CU controls and clinically diagnosed AD patients. There was a difference in concentration between isoforms in heterozygous individuals in an isoform-dependent manner (E2 < E3 < E4) (p < 0.001, AUC = 0.64–0.69), and these associations remained when dichotomizing the samples into Aβ+ and Aβ− groups (p < 0.01, AUC = 0.63–0.74). In the cohort with follow-up samples, neither total apoE nor isoform-specific apoE concentrations differed between the two time points (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results indicate that neither the concentrations of total apoE nor the different apoE isoforms in CSF are associated with APOE-ε4 carrier status, Aβ status, or clinical dementia diagnoses.

Increased PCSK9 Cerebrospinal Fluid Concentrations in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with dysregulation of brain cholesterol trafficking and abnormal production of apolipoprotein E isoform 4 (apoE4). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protein present in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) degrading the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) and other apoE-binding receptors involved in neuron cholesterol uptake. The role of PCSK9 in AD is controversial. We compared PCSK9 levels in CSF of AD patients and non-AD controls and looked at correlations with CSF total apoE and apoE4. CSF from AD (n = 30) and from age and sex-matched non-AD patients (n = 30) was collected by lumbar puncture for routine diagnosis. CSF PCSK9, total apoE, and apoE4 levels were measured by ELISA. AD patients showed the typical CSF neurobiomarker pattern (decreased Aβ42 and increased tau and phospho-tau) and impaired cognitive performances, as indicated by the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination test. PCSK9 levels in CSF were higher in AD than in non-AD subjects (+1.45 fold; p = 0.0049). CSF total apoE concentrations did not differ between the two groups, while apoE4 levels were higher in AD subjects (+3.34 fold; p = 0.0068). Considering all samples, a significant positive correlation was found between PCSK9 and apoE4 (r = 0.4409; p = 0.0006). PCSK9 levels were higher in APOE ɛ4 carriers, reaching statistical significance in the AD group (+1.45 fold; p = 0.0454). These results report for the first time an alteration of CSF PCSK9 levels in AD and suggest a pathophysiological link between PCSK9, apoE4, and AD.

Quantification of total apolipoprotein E and its specific isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases

A targeted mass spectrometric assay was developed for identification and quantification of apoE isoforms (apoE2, E3 and E4), and it was utilized for screening of samples from AD patients (n=39) and patients with other neurodegenerative disorders (n=38). The assay showed good linearity with LOQ corresponds to total apoE concentration of 0.8 and 40ng/mL in CSF and plasma/serum, respectively. We identified apoE phenotypes with 100% accuracy in clinical samples. We found strong association between genotypes of the individuals and their apoE levels in blood; ϵ4 allele carriers had significantly lower apoE levels in blood than non-carriers.

Effect of atorvastatin and niacin/LRPT on apolipoprotein e distribution, metabolism and glycation

Aim: To investigate the influence of apoE genotype on the response to atorvastatin treatment in patients with Type 2 diabetes with nephropathy and the effect of niacin/laropiprant (LRPT) on apoE and glycated apoE concentration and distribution in hyperlipidaemia.Methods: ApoE genotype and the effect of 10mg/day and 80mg/day atorvastatin treatment on apoE concentration were studied in 85 patients with type 2 diabetes with nephropathy. The effect of niacin/LRPT on apoE and glycated apoE was investigated for 36 patients with hyperlipidaemia. Results: After 12 months treatment with atorvastatin, serum apoE concentration decreased significantly in the 80mg/day, but not the 10mg/day group. This decrease was observed in patients with E3 and E4 but not E2 genotype. Hyperlipidaemia did not affect total apoE, but the apoE distribution in HDL and d>1.21g/ml lipoprotein fractions was significantly lower. Glycated apoE was significantly higher in patients with hyperlipidaemia than healthy volunteers (p<0.0001). After 3 months treatment with niacin/LRPT, apoE in apoB?containing lipoproteins (VLDL+LDL) was significantly reduced, but was unchanged in apoA-containing lipoproteins (HDL) compared with treatment with placebo. Niacin/LRPT also had no effect on the elevated glycated apoE observed in patients with hyperlipidaemia.Conclusions: The effect of atorvastatin on total apoE concentration is dependent on the dose of atorvastatin and apoE genotype in patients with type 2 diabetes with nephropathy. Niacin/LRPT has no significant effect on total apoE and glycated apoE, but does influence their distribution in lipoprotein fractions in patients with hyperlipidaemia.

Total apolipoprotein E levels and specific isoform composition in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from Alzheimer’s disease patients and controls

The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 allele is the strongest risk factor of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, the fluid concentrations of ApoE and its different isoforms (ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4) in AD patients and among APOE genotypes (APOE ε2, ε3, ε4) remain controversial. Using a novel mass spectrometry-based method, we quantified total ApoE and specific ApoE isoform concentrations and potential associations with age, cognitive status, cholesterol levels and established AD biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients versus non-AD individuals with different APOE genotypes. We also investigated plasma total ApoE and ApoE isoform composition in a subset of these individuals. In total n = 43 AD and n = 43 non-AD subjects were included. We found that CSF and plasma total ApoE levels did not correlate with age or cognitive status and did not differ between AD and non-AD subjects deeming ApoE as an unfit diagnostic marker for AD. Also, whereas CSF ApoE levels did not vary between APOE genotypes APOE ε4 carriers exhibited significantly decreased plasma ApoE levels attributed to a specific decrease in the ApoE4 isoform concentrations. CSF total ApoE concentrations were positively associated with CSF, total tau, tau phosphorylated at Thr181 and Aβ1-42 of which the latter association was weaker and only present in APOE ε4 carriers indicating a differential involvement of ApoE in tau versus Aβ-linked neuropathological processes. Future studies need to elucidate whether the observed plasma ApoE4 deficiency is a life-long condition in APOE ɛ4 carriers and whether this decrease in plasma ApoE predisposes APOE ɛ4 carriers to AD.

Assessment of Peptide Chemical Modifications on the Development of an Accurate and Precise Multiplex Selected Reaction Monitoring Assay for Apolipoprotein E Isoforms

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a polymorphic protein that plays a major role in lipid metabolism in the central nervous system and periphery. It has three common allelic isoforms, ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4, that differ in only one or two amino acids. ApoE isoforms have been associated with the occurrence and progression of several pathological conditions, such as coronary atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to develop a mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay for absolute quantification of ApoE isoforms in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples using isotope-labeled peptides. The assay included five tryptic peptides: CLAVYQAGAR (ApoE2), LGADMEDVCGR (ApoE2 and 3), LAVYQAGAR (ApoE3 and 4), LGADMEDVR (ApoE4), and LGPLVEQGR (total ApoE). Both cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples were assayed to validate the method. The digestion yield and the extension of chemical modifications in selected amino acid residues (methionine oxidation, glutamine deamidation, and cyclization of N-terminus carbamidomethylcysteine) were also studied. The ApoE phenotype was successfully assigned to all samples analyzed in a blinded manner. The method showed good linearity (R(2) > 0.99) and reproducibility (within laboratory imprecision <13%). The comparison of the MS-based assay with an ELISA for total ApoE concentration showed a moderate correlation (R(2) = 0.59). This MS-based assay can serve as an important tool in clinical studies aiming to elucidate the association between ApoE genotype, total ApoE, and ApoE isoform concentrations in various disorders related to ApoE polymorphisms.

(9) Evaluation of genotype scoring criteria for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in wales

s / Atherosclerosis 223 (2012) 527–535 530 Methods: ApoE and glycated apoE distributions in different lipoproteins in 32 (18 men and 14 women) healthy volunteers were determined. Results: Total apoE concentration (mean SEM) was 48.2 2.4 mg/l. Of this 13.3 2.5 mg/l (27.6%) was in VLDL, 10.6 2.2 mg/l (22.0%) in LDL, 14.4 1.2 mg/l (29.9%) in HDL and 9.9 2.0 mg/l (20.5%) in the density range >1.21 g/ml. ApoE concentration in VLDL was strongly correlated with VLDL-apoB and VLDL-TG. There was no significant difference in total apoE between men and women. However, in men VLDL-apoE was significantly higher (15.6 1.4 mg/l vs. 10.3 1.4 mg/l, p 1.21 g/ml were glycated. Conclusions: The apoE concentration and lipoproteins distribution are influenced by age and gender. VLDL and LDL apoE are more susceptible to glycation in vivo.

Effect of the factor VII R353Q missense mutation on plasma apolipoprotein B levels: impact of visceral obesity.

An atherogenic dyslipidemia, characterized by increased plasma triglyceride and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels, low HDL-cholesterol concentrations and the development of small, dense LDL particles has been associated with the presence of abdominal-visceral obesity. Visceral obesity is also associated with a hypercoagulate state and elevated concentrations of procoagulant factors such as factor VII. Moreover, it is known that some genetic variants in the gene encoding factor VII alter its activity and concentration, and consequently these variants may have an impact on atherosclerosis development. The objective of this study was to verify whether the factor VII R353Q polymorphism contributes to predict the risk of an atherogenic dyslipidemia in absence and in the presence of visceral obesity. A sample of 299 French-Canadian men, selected in order to cover a wide range of body fatness values, participated in this study. We observed that the R353 allele was more commonly observed among men characterized by apo B levels below 1.09 g/l than among men with apo B levels greater or above this threshold value (allele frequency of 92.1 vs 85.4%, chi(2)=6.18, P=0.01). Multivariate analyses further showed that the genotype R353/R353 was associated with a lower risk to exhibit atherogenic concentrations of total-apo B (>/=1.09 g/l) and LDL apo B (>/=0.95 g/l) before (odds ratio:0.47, 95%CI=0.27-0.90, P=0.02; odds ratio:0.46, 95%CI=0.25-0.85, P=0.01, respectively) and after adjustments for age and visceral AT (odds ratio:0.49, 95%CI=0.24-0.91, P=0.02; odds ratio:0.44, 95%CI=0.23-0.85, P=0.01, respectively). When the two genotype groups were further divided on the basis of visceral adipose tissue (AT) accumulation using a cutoff point of 130 cm(2), we observed that R353/R353 homozygotes with low visceral AT were characterized by a more favorable lipoprotein-lipid profile, mainly lower total-cholesterol, total-apo B, and LDL-apo B levels compared with R353/R353 homozygotes with high levels of visceral AT. In contrast, irrespective of obesity, plasma lipid levels among carriers of the Q353 allele were similar to those of viscerally obese men homozygous for the R353 allele. In conclusion, results of the present study suggest that the factor VII R353 allele is associated with lower concentrations of plasma apo B levels. However, the presence of visceral obesity abolishes this effect. Further studies will be necessary to confirm this association and the mechanism involved.

Effects of short-term treatment with corticotropin on the serum apolipoprotein pattern

Treatment with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has a well-documented cholesterol-lowering effect. Increased uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by HepG2 cells in response to incubation with ACTH has been demonstrated but the precise cholesterol-lowering mechanism has resisted elucidation. Since apolipoproteins are important determinants of lipoprotein metabolism, we sought to extend the knowledge of the effect of ACTH treatment on the serum apolipoprotein (apo) pattern. Twelve healthy individuals and 14 dyslipoproteinemic hemodialysis patients were recruited. The two groups responded similarly to ACTH1?24 at the dose of 1 mg daily for four days. In accordance with previous results, serum concentrations of total cholesterol decreased by 18% and 17%, LDL cholesterol by 25% and 30%, and apo B by 20% and 19%, respectively, while there were no significant changes in the serum concentrations of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apo AI. Novel findings were that the serum concentrations of total apo E increased by 48% and 31%, and apo B-associated apo E by 69% and 46%, respectively. Moreover, in the healthy individuals, the serum concentrations of apo CIII did not change in response to ACTH, whereas in the hemodialysis patients, those of apo CIII not associated with apo B increased significantly by 44%. Since apo E binds strongly to the LDL receptor, the present results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of ACTH may be mediated by facilitated hepatic uptake of apo E-enriched apo B-containing lipoproteins. Thus, the findings stimulate further research.

Apoprotein A and A-I profiles in subretinal fluid.

Previous reports have described the presence of apoproteins A in subretinal fluid (SRF). We studied the presence of total apoprotein A (apo A) and apoprotein A-I (apo A-I), using the method described by Laurel in SRF and its levels in serum in 20 patients with retinal detachment. By this method we can quantify the concentrations of apoproteins in SRF. All cases showed the presence of these apoproteins in SRF. The mean +/- standard deviation obtained was 78.7 +/- 26.94 mg/dl and 173.35 +/- 30.08 mg/dl for total apo A in SRF and serum respectively. For apo A-I these values were 32.62 +/- 14.36 mg/dl in SRF and 123.4 +/- 24.11 mg/dl in serum. We found no correlation between levels of total apo A and apo A-I in SRF and its levels in serum. Statistical differences were found between apo A-I content in SRF from detachments with the size of 3 quadrants and that of 1 and 2 quadrants but not between 3 and 4 quadrants. When the detachment affected 1 and 2 quadrants the concentrations of apo A-I were statistically lower. No statistical differences were found between concentrations of total apo A and apo A-I in SRF and the duration or presence of PVR in the detachments. These findings suggest that the outer blood retinal barrier is preserved during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.