Use of a reversed-phase evaporation vesicle formulation for a homogeneous liposome immunoassay.

Complement-mediated release of enzyme molecules from reversed-phase evaporation vesicles serves as the basis of the sensitive homogeneous immunoassay reported here. We found it necessary to co-entrap the substrate glucose 6-phosphate with the bacterial enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) to protect enzyme activity during liposome preparation. Enzyme can be released specifically from these liposomes by incubation with antibody and complement. the enzyme is not merely available to substrate but is actually physically free of the liposomes. Inhibition of this complement-mediated lysis by theophylline is the basis for the homogeneous liposome immunoassay described. The assay results vary linearly with theophylline concentrations in plasma in the clinically relevant range, and serum components do not interfere. The reagents in the assay kit are stable for at least seven months when stored at 5 degrees C. No nontheophylline compounds reacted significantly with the antiserum used. The assay can be run in a kinetic format, with either ultraviolet or colorimetric detection.