Platelets fixed with paraformaldehyde: a new reagent for assay of von Willebrand factor and platelet aggregating factor.

Present methods for assay of platelet aggregating agents use freshly prepared platelets. Much time is spent in daily preparation of platelets and standardization presents problems. The preparation of fixed washed platelets (FWP) and their use in two bioassays are described in this report. Washed human platelets were fixed for 48 hours with 4 per cent paraformaldehyde, washed twice in phosphate buffer, pH 6.4, and stored at 4 degrees C. Aggregation of FWP was studied with a macroscopic test and a light absorbance measurement. FWP did not aggregate with adenosine diphosphate, collagen, adrenalin, and thrombin. FWP aggregated with bovine or porcine plasma, poly-L-lysine, and ristocetin with normal human plasma but not with von Willebrand's disease plasma. These observations confirm the direct aggregating effect of these agents. Macroscopic aggregation times were dependent on the amount of aggregating agent (bovine plasma, normal human plasma). A quantitative assay for bovine platelet aggregating factor (PAF) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) with FWP was developed. The ability of FWP to aggregate remained unchanged after 1 month of storage at 4 degrees C. Ristocetin alone caused a decrease in light transmission of FWP suspensions, depending upon the concentration of ristocetin, but did not cause aggregation. FWP constitute a stable reagent suitable for quantitative measurement of PAF and vWF.