Summary
We have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against rabbit platelet factor
4 (PF4). Two of these mAbs have been characterized in this study. In particular the
antibody called 10B2, which also recognizes the human molecule, is able to block PF4’s
ability to neutralize heparin in a modified Heparin-Factor Xa chromogenic assay. The
inhibition appears to be more than 95% at 1:1 mAb/PF4 molar ratio both for purified
rabbit and human PF4. Similar results were obtained using supernatants from stimulated
human platelets (90% of inhibition at 1:1 mAb/ PF4 molar ratio) or using Fab fragments
from 10B2. Studies to determine the antigenic determinant against which 10B2 is directed,
show that this is an assembled epitope which involves disulfide bonds of the PF4.