Preparation and characterization of affinity magnetoliposomes useful for the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies

The preparation of phosphatidylcholine-based magnetoliposomes containing th e affinity target phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidy lserine (PS), and cardiolipin (CL), was studied. These magnetoliposomes are potentially useful as adsorbents for the detection of antiphospholipid ant ibodies. The dry-lipid film hydration method was used to prepare magnetolip osomes containing CL, while PE- or PS-containing magnetoliposomes were prep ared by adsorption of phospholipids on magnetite. Both types of magnetolipo somes were characterized by iron and phospholipid content, mean diameter, s ize distribution, and retention efficiency in a high-gradient magnetic fiel d. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.