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Tissue Localization and Synthesis of Factor‐VIII‐Related Antigen in the Human Foetus
Author(s) -
Tuddenham E. G. D.,
Shearn Sonia A. M.,
Peake I. R.,
Giddings J. C.,
Bloom A. L.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1974.tb00510.x
Subject(s) - antigen , amniotic fluid , fetus , antiserum , andrology , pathology , tissue factor , hysterotomy , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , chemistry , biology , pregnancy , coagulation , genetics
S ummary . Human foetuses ranging in gestational age from 8 to 20 weeks were obtained at hysterotomy for therapeutic termination of pregnancy. Factor VIII related antigen was detected immunologically by Laurell's technique using specific antisera produced in rabbits. It was present in all foetal sera tested. It was not present in amniotic fluid and foetal cerebro‐spinal fluid. An inhibitor of procoagulant factor VIII was neutralized by foetal serum but not by amniotic fluid. The distribution of factor VIII or factor‐VIII‐related antigen in foetal tissues was studied histologically by an indirect immunofluorescent technique. Specific fluorescence was seen on the endothelium of blood vessels in all tissues examined but in other cells the results were less conclusive. In tissue culture studies synthesis of factor‐VIII‐related antigen by explants of foetal spleen was demonstrated by incorporation of [ 35 S]L‐methionine into specific immunoprecipitate. The results indicate that factor‐VIII‐related antigen and possibly procoagulant factor VIII or its precursor are synthezised at an early stage of foetal development.