Lipoprotein capture ELISA method for the sensitive detection of amphiphilic biomarkers.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are widely employed for the detection of protein targets due to their ease of use, sensitivity, and potential for high-throughput analyses. However, the use of ELISAs to detect non-protein targets such as lipids and amphiphiles is complicated by the physical properties of these molecules, which affects their association with functional surfaces and recognition ligands. Here, we developed a unique lipoprotein capture ELISA in which the natural association between lipoproteins and amphiphilic molecules facilitates detection of the target biomarker in a physiologically relevant conformation. An assay to detect the glycolipid lipoarabinomannan (LAM), a cell membrane component and virulence factor associated with Mycobacterial infections, was developed as a proof of concept. [Display omitted] • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are rarely used for the detection of non-protein targets due to association with functional surfaces and recognition ligands. • We developed a lipoprotein capture ELISA method to detect lipid and amphiphilic molecules using their natural biochemical association with lipoproteins as capture ligands. • We show a proof of concept assay to detect the glycolipid lipoarabinomannan, a cell membrane component and virulence factor associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]