Production and characterization of specific antibodies against 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (a potent hypotensive and platelet-activating ether-linked phospholipid).

Specific antibodies against 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet activating factor, PAF) were raised in rabbits. The anti-PAF IgG significantly agglutinated the PAF antigen and inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by PAF. In the double immunodiffusion test, the anti-PAF IgG specifically produced a single precipitin line with only PAF. Neither the 1-acyl-linked nor the non-acetylated analogue exhibited antigenic properties, which implies that the precise chemical structure is essential for the antigenic expression. Cross-reactivity with various PAF analogues was also examined by the radioimmunoprecipitation technique.