von Willebrand Factor (Factor VIII-related antigen)

Antigen Background

Human von Willebrand factor (or factor VIII-related antigen) is a 270 kD multimeric plasma glycoprotein. It mediates platelet adhesion to injured vessel walls and serves as a carrier and stabilizer for coagulation factor VIII. The von Willebrand factor has functional binding domains to platelet glycoprotein Ib, glycoprotein Ib/IIIa, collagen and heparin. Von Willebrand factor is synthesized by endothelial cells and is reported to be expressed in a number of tumors of vascular origin.

Disclaimer

von Willebrand Factor (Factor VIII-related antigen) is recommended for the detection of specific antigens of interest in normal and neoplastic tissues, as an adjunct to conventional histopathology using non-immunologic histochemical stains.