Heterogeneity of molecular size of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor in von Willbrand's disease

Patterns of VIIIR:AG in the plasma and its fractions, cryoprecipitate and cryosupernatant, from various types of von Willebrand's disease (vWd) were observed by SDS 1.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - cross immunoelectrophoresis (SDS PAGE - CIE). VIIIR:AG in normal cryoprecipitate showed several precipitin peaks which correspond to molecular weights ranging from 8 X 10(5) to 1 X 10(7) daltons and are similar to those in normal plasma. Normal cryosupernatant VIIIR:AG gave smaller molecular weights from 8 X 10(5) to 2 X 10(6) daltons. VIIIR:AG in the plasma and cryoprecipitate from 2 patients with classical vWd gave low precipitin peaks with molecular weights in normal range. VIIIR:AG from 2 patients with subgroup A variant which showed fast anodal migration on the conventional CIE, presented 3 peaks with molecular weight of 8 X 10(5) to 3 X 10(6) which are similar to those in normal cryosupernatant. VIIIR:AG from 2 patients with subgroup B variant which showed normal migration on the CIE, gave normal patterns through all fractions.