Age-related changes in anti-elastin antibodies in serum from normal and atherosclerotic subjects

A modified version of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), utilising human insoluble aortic elastin, was used for determination of anti-elastin antibodies in serum from normal and atherosclerotic subjects. The age-related changes in their level among healthy persons were investigated. Anti-elastin antibodies were found in all the tested human sera, showing the highest level at the age of 18–20 and the lowest at the age over 60 and especially among atherosclerotic patients. The possible role of the immune system in the turnover of elastin is discussed.