Antigenic differences between apo-B in native and circulating modified low-density lipoproteins.

The state of apo-B in native and circulating modified low-density lipoproteins was studied by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. We studied the interaction of these particles with monoclonal antibodies to apo-B of low-density lipoproteins. Native and circulating modified low-density lipoproteins had different affinity for the studied antigens. Our results illustrate conformational changes in apo-B of circulating modified low-density lipoproteins compared to native low-density lipoproteins. These changes probably contribute to increased accumulation of particles in vascular cells and their transformation into foam cells giving way to atherosclerotic vascular lesions.