OBJECTIVETo prepare anti-von Willebrand factor A3 (vWF-A3) domain monoclonal antibodies(mAbs) which block vWF-A3 binding to collagen, and characterize their biochemical properties and functions.

METHODSBALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant vWF-A3 protein (rvWF-A3). Murine anti-human vWF-A3 mAbs were developed by standard hybridoma technology and identified with ELISA. The recognition of the mAbs with rvWF -A3 and reduced human vWF was identified by Western-blot. The effect of mAbs on binding of purified human vWF to human placenta or calf skin collagen III was studied with collagen binding inhibition test.

RESULTSA group of 30 murine anti-human vWF-A3 mAbs was obtained, from which 2 clones were identified as inhibitory ones and designated as SZ-123 and SZ-125. SZ-123 and SZ-125 could react specifically with human vWF and rvWF-A3 respectively, while neither of them reacted with rvWF-A1 and rvWF-A2. Western-blot showed that SZ-123 and SZ-125 could recognize a 27 x 10(3) band of rvWF-A3 and 2 reduced human vWF bands at 250 x 10(3) and 170 x 10(3). SZ-123 and SZ-125 not only inhibited the binding of purified human vWF (1.5 and 3.0 microg/ml) to human type III collagen and to calf skin collagen III in a dose dependent manner, but also inhibited the binding of plasma vWF from human, rhesus monkeys or Beagle dogs to the two collagens.

CONCLUSIONSZ-123 and SZ-125 are neutralizing mAbs against vWF-A3 domain and may have therapeutic potential as an antithrombotic agent.