The PrecivityAD™ test: Accurate and reliable LC-MS/MS assays for quantifying plasma amyloid beta 40 and 42 and apolipoprotein E proteotype for the assessment of brain amyloidosis

Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Aug:519:267-275. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.05.011. Epub 2021 May 17.

Abstract

Background: There is an unmet need for an accessible, less invasive, cost-effective method to facilitate clinical trial enrollment and aid in clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis. APOE genotype affects the clearance and deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) with APOE4 carriers having increased risk while APOE2 alleles appear to be protective. Lower plasma Aβ42/40 correlates with brain amyloidosis. In response, C2N has developed the PrecivityAD™ test; plasma LC-MS/MS assays for Aβ isoform quantitation and qualitative APOE isoform-specific proteotyping.

Methods: In accord with CLIA standards, we developed and validated assay performance: precision, accuracy, linearity, limit of detection (LoD), interferences.

Results: Within-day precision varied from 1.5-3.0% (Aβ40) and 2.5-8.4% (Aβ42). Total (within-lab) variability was 2.7-7.7% (Aβ40) and 3.1-9.5% (Aβ42). Aβ40 quantitation was linear from 10 to 1780 pg/mL; Aβ42 was linear from 2 to 254 pg/mL. LoD was 11 and 2 pg/mL for Aβ40 and Aβ42, respectively. APOE proteotypes were 100% concordant with genotype, while LoD (fM) was much lower than APOE concentrations observed in plasma (mM).

Conclusions: The PrecivityAD™ assays are precise, accurate, sensitive, and linear over a wide analytical range, free from significant interferences, and suitable for use in the clinical laboratory.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Apolipoprotein E; Aβ 42/40; Beta-amyloid; Biomarkers.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloidosis* / diagnosis
  • Amyloidosis* / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Biomarkers
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Humans
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Apolipoprotein E4
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments