Generation and Application of Rat Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for a Human Blood Coagulation Protein: von Willebrand Factor.

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a glycoprotein that plays a central role in the initiation of blood coagulation. VWF performs two important functions: it acts as a molecular bridge between platelets and as a carrier for coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). von Willebrand disease (VWD) and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) are caused by the absence of and/or abnormality in VWF. The pathophysiology of VWD and AVWS is complex and, therefore, it is difficult to diagnose them by conducting the same laboratory tests in all patients. To develop useful monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the diagnosis of VWD and AVWS, rat mAbs against human VWF were generated. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that mAbs recognized the reduced and nonreduced VWF protein and endogenous VWF in normal human plasma. Furthermore, we developed a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody-based sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. In conclusion, the development of VWF-specific mAbs would be useful in the diagnosis of VWD and AVWS.