PF4 Heparin Assay for HIT

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PF4 Heparin Assay for HIT

• The PF4 Heparin ELISA assay can be used to detect
  antibodies reactive with Platelet Factor 4 (PF4)
  complexed to any type of heparin (bovine or
  porcine unfractionated heparin and low molecular
  weight heparin). HIT antibodies fail to
  singularly bind to either positively charged PF4
  or negatively charge heparin molecules. It is
  hypothesized that the target for HIT antibodies
  is a neoepitope resulting from a conformational
  change in PF4 that is induced by the binding of
  heparin. PF4 is normally found in platelet alpha
  granules. Visentin has ascertained that numerous
  types of polyanions when complexed with PF4 in
  vitro can bind to HIT antibodies. These
  polyanions include the unfractionated heparins,
  LMWH, heparan sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and
  polyvinyl sulfonate to mention a few. As such
  the PF4-Heparin ELISA assay will detect HIT
  antibodies induced by any of the above listed
  heparins.
• Visentin, et al. J Lab Clin Med138(1)22-31,2001

Revised mmii
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