The Importance of the Carbohydrate Moiety of the Factor VIII/Von Willebrand Factor Protein in Binding to and Causing Agglutination of Human Platelets
We have investigated the binding of radiolabelled factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (f. VIII/vWf) protein to human platelets (P) in the presence of ristocetin (R). In these atudies we have delineated the importance of the carbohydrate (CHO) moiety(s) in both the binding to the P and in cauaing agglutination of P. Binding of the f.VIII/vWf protein to human P was time and temperature dependent and dependent on the concentration of R. Binding was specific in that it could not be blocked by human fibrinogen but was inhibited by unlabelled f.VIII/vWf protein. In studies utilizing varying amounts of the f.VIII/vWf protein or by varying the number of P in the assay, the number of binding sites for the f. VIII/vWf protein were estimated at 9,500-9,800 per platelet. Scatchard analysis revealed 11,000 binding sites with 3,600 of high affinity and 7,400 of low affinity. Removal of the sialic acid of the f.VIII/vWf protein resulted in no significa nt change in its ability to bind to the P surface or cause agglutination in the presence, IR. Removal of the galactose by 6-galactosijase resulted in a 75% reduction of binding of the f.VIII/vWf protein and a 91% decrease in the agglutination of human P. Similar studies with galactose oxidase showed that oxidation of the penultimate galactose residue s results in a decrease in agglutination comparable to that seen with 6-galactosidase treatment. These studies indicate that the CHO moiety of the f.VIII/vWf protein is important in both binding to the P surface as well as causing agglutination of human P.