Subunit structure of factor VIII antigen synthesized by cultured human endothelial cells

Abstract

Cultured human endothelial cells were labeled with [3H] leucine, and the radioactive Factor VIII antigen present in the postculture medium was isolated by double antibody immunoprecipitation and characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction with dithiothreitol. The Factor VIII antigen synthesized by cultured endothelial cells was found to contain the same single polypeptide subunit (mol wt 225,000) present in plasma Factor VIII antigen. These results suggest that in vivo, the endothelial cell is a major site of synthesis of circulating Factor VIII antigen.