title: Lp-PLA2: an emerging biomarker of coronary heart disease.
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.
authors.affiliation: Dia Dexus, Inc, 343 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, Ca. 94080-1913, USA. ndada@diadexus.com
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dada
authors.forename: Nam W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wolfert
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase