The Estimation of the Number of Binding Sites for Antibody on Antigen Molecules with Reference to Factor VIII and its Antibody

Summary

The theoretical basis for determining the number of antibody sites on antigen molecules is examined. The theoretical considerations are applied to factor VIII molecules. Examples based on data available at the Oxford Haemophilia Centre are calculated to illustrate the approach. It is concluded that there are few sites on each factor VIII molecule for human antibody. The three antibodies for which reasonable data were available suggest 1–3 sites for human antibody. The data for rabbit antibody suggest 5–6 sites per factor VIII molecule.

• References

• 1 Biggs R, Bidwell E. 1959; A method for the study of antihaemophilic globulin inhibitors with reference to six cases. British Journal of Haematology 5: 379.
• 2 Dulbecco R, Vogt M, Strickland A. G. R. 1956; A study of the basic aspects of neutralisation of two animal viruses. Western Equine Encephalitis and Poliomyelitis virus, Virology 2: 162.
• 3 Kernoff P. B. A. 1974 The factor VIII-related antigen and antibodies to factor VIII. A. thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the University of London.
• 4 Pool J. G, Miller R. G. 1972; Assay of the Immune Inhibitor in Classic Haemophilia: Application of Virus-Antibody Reaction Kinetics. British Journal of Haematology 22: 517.
• 5 Rizza C. R, Biggs R. 1972; The treatment of patients who have factor VIII antibodies. British Journal of Haematology 24: 65.
• 6 Zimmerman T. S, Ratnoff O. D, Powell E. 1971; Immunologic Differentiation of Classic Haemophilia (Factor VIE Deficiency) and von Willebrand’s Disease. Journal of Clinical Investigation 50: 244.