Evaluation of ELISA procedures to detect von Willebrand Factor with monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

The von Willebrand Factor is a multimeric glycoprotein responsible for the promotion of platelet adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury, and for FVIII stabilization. Abnormalities on this protein are responsible for diverse types of von Willebrand Disease. In the present study, monoclonal antibodies against human von Willebrand Factor were developed as a means to improve von Willebrand Disease research and diagnosis. Monoclonal antibodies were tested for their ability to bind to purified and plasmatic von Willebrand Factor. Monoclonal antibodies vW22 and vW23 were found to bind only purified von Willebrand Factor, and monoclonal antibodies vW18 and vW21 were found to bind purified and plasmatic von Willebrand Factor. Antibodies vW18 and vW21 were used to perform a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect and quantify von Willebrand Factor concentration in plasma samples from 143 coagulopathy patients and 12 healthy blood donors. The assay showed high performance, with strong correlation and agreement in results, when compared to electroimmunoassay (Rs = 0.843 and K = 0.691 with p<0.001) and a commercial ELISA (Rs = 0.930 and K = 0.819 with p<0.001). S-ELISA proved to be a useful tool in vWF quantification tests in Brazilian specialized laboratories as an alternative to imported tests.