A peer-reviewed study has found a significant correlation between Olink and ELISA measurements of biologically active endothelin-1 in coronary artery plasma.

Study compares Olink and ELISA methods

The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, compared measurements of endothelin-1 (ET-1) generated using Olink’s proximity extension assay technology with an established ELISA-based method.

The research involved the Department of Cardiology at Royal Papworth Hospital and the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, with coronary blood samples provided by PlaqueTec.

The researchers found a significant correlation between the two assays in detecting biologically active ET-1 in coronary artery plasma.

ET-1 is a peptide produced by endothelial cells that causes vasoconstriction and has an important role in cardiovascular disease. Increased ET-1 levels have been associated with vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular pathology.

The findings provide evidence supporting the use of Olink proximity extension assay technology for measuring biologically active ET-1 in coronary artery samples.

Implications for biomarker research

The study also highlights the potential value of proximity extension assays for research where multiple biomarkers need to be measured from limited sample volumes.

The Olink Explore 3072 platform can measure thousands of proteins from small volumes of plasma, allowing researchers to assess multiple biological signals from the same sample.

This could be relevant to clinical trials and biomarker studies where sample availability is limited or where researchers need to investigate several proteins simultaneously.

Dr Diane Proudfoot, chief scientific officer at PlaqueTec and a co-author of the study, said: “Knowing that the Olink assay genuinely reflects biologically active ET-1 is really important for us. It gives us confidence that the protein signals we’re seeing in coronary blood samples from our BIOPATTERN trial are meaningful, and that we can trust the data as we work to understand the biology of atherosclerotic plaques and identify new ways to help patients with cardiovascular disease.”

ET-1 as a cardiovascular biomarker

The findings also have relevance to research into the endothelin pathway and the potential use of ET-1 as a biomarker in cardiovascular disease.

Professor Anthony Davenport of the University of Cambridge, a co-author of the study, said: “Detrimental increases in plasma ET-1 are a key biomarker identifying diseases for successfully translating ET receptor antagonists into the clinic. In clinical trials, increases in circulating ET-1 can also be exploited as a pharmacodynamic biomarker, providing evidence for receptor blockade and target engagement by ET antagonists, optimal dose selection and patient stratification. The combination of unprecedented sensitivity with automation, establish Olink proteomics as a powerful new tool to advance the ET field.”

The research forms part of the wider work around PlaqueTec’s BIOPATTERN trial, which is investigating differences in intracoronary signals between patients to improve understanding of the biological pathways involved in atherosclerosis and identify potential therapeutic targets.

The study was funded by PlaqueTec, the National Institute for Health and Care Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre Pump Priming Award, the Royal Papworth Innovation Fund and the Jon Moulton Charity Trust.