Lipoprotein analysis by differential charged-particle mobility

A method for obtaining purified Lp(a), said method comprising:

• (a) preparing a centrifuge tube containing a first solution underneath a sample, said sample comprising one or more lipoproteins and non-lipoprotein components, said first solution having a first density greater than 1.00 g/mL and less than or equal to about 1.21 g/mL;
• (b) subjecting said tube to centrifugation sufficient to cause said non-lipoprotein components to migrate toward the bottom of the tube and away from said lipoproteins, and collecting the lipoproteins;
• (c) forming a precipitate of Lp(a) by admixing the collected lipoproteins with a precipitant for Apo B-containing lipoprotein under conditions sufficient to cause precipitation of Lp(a);
• (d) isolating said Lp(a) containing precipitate from said sample:
• (e) solubilizing said Lp(a) containing precipitate;
• (f) admixing said solubilized Lp(a) with a solid-support reagent containing a lectin attached to a solid support to allow formation of a Lp(a)-lectin complex;
• (g) isolating said Lp(a)-lectin complex;
• and
• (h) releasing said Lp(a) from said Lp(a)-lectin complex, thereby providing purified Lp(a);
• wherein said lectin is selected from the group consisting of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), lima bean agglutinin (LGA), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and horseshoe crab lectin (HCL);
• and
• wherein said releasing comprises disulfide reduction of said Lp(a)-lectin complex.