Summary
Hybridoma clones specific for tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) were screened
in solid-phase radioimmunoassays for their reactivity toward free tPA and tPA complexed
to the endothelial cell-derived, (3-migrating plasminogen activator inhibitor (β-PAI).
Two monoclonal antibodies (MABs) were identified with quite distinct properties. The
first, MAB LI72D1, bound to free tPA but did not recognize tPA complexed to the β-PAI, whereas the
second, MAB HI72C1, bound both to free tPA and to tPA in complex with β-PAI. These properties were maintained
when the MABs were immobilized to plastic micro- titer wells, thus permitting the
development of immunoradiometric assays (IRMAs) to quantitate free tPA and total tPA
antigen in various samples. The IRMAs were employed to analyze the tPA in media conditioned
by several human cell types. The results indicate that in some cases, tPA may be present
entirely as a free and active enzyme, while in others it apparently exists entirely
in complex with β-PAI. Interestingly, some cells appear to contain both forms of tPA.
Key words
Plasminogen activator - Inhibitor - Immunoradiometric assay - Monoclonal antibody
- Immobilized enzyme