Electroimmunoassay of plasma subunits-a and -s in a case of congenital fibrin stabilizing factor deficiency.

Antigenic material related to the fibrin stabilizing factor (Factor XIII-FSF) has been found in all the examined patients with congenital deficiency, albeit in reduced amount. Recently, Bohn et al. (1973) showed that plasma Factor-XIII is composed by two subunits, A (or a) and S (or b); the former active protein, the latter probably FSF-vinding protein. Using specific anti-S and anti-A antisera the Authors found, in a case of congenital deficiency of factor XIII, absence of subunit A. Subunit S presented abnormal behaviour as demonstrated by means of quantitative immunoelectrophoresis according to Laurell.