Rabbit factor VIII: identification of size heterogeneity
ME Rick, DE Wampler and LW Hoyer
Two forms of rabbit factor VIII procoagulant activity, distinguishable by
size on gel filtration and ultracentrifugation, have been identified in
normal rabbit plasma. These studies have been carried out with
citrate-anticoagulated rabbit plasma obtained by cardiac puncture. Two
peaks of factor VIII activity were obtained on agarose gel chromatography,
using physiologic ionic strength buffers: a high molecular weight peak
eluting at the void volume and a second peak eluting with smaller plasma
proteins. The presence of high and low molecular weight factor VIII
activities was confirmed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The
two peaks of factor VIII activity remained distinct when proteolytic
inhibitors were added to the plasma and eluting buffers. Both the high and
low molecular weight factor VIII procoagulant activities were inhibited by
antibodies to human and rabbit factor VIII, and both were activated by
thrombin. The identification of size heterogeneity of factor VIII in normal
rabbit plasma, in the absence of any modification by ionic strength, may
permit more satisfactory study of the relationship of factor VIII size to
function.
Volume 49,
Issue 2,
pp. 209-217,
02/01/1977
Copyright © 1977 by The American Society of Hematology
