Immunoelectrophoretic studies of prekallikrein in human plasma.

Using a rabbit anti-human prekallikrein antibody crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and Laurell rocket antigen determinations were done in plasma of subjects with Fletcher (prekallikrein, PKA), Fitzgerald (high molecular weight kininogen), Hageman (XII), and PTA (XI) deficiencies as well as in patients with activation of coagulation (intravascular coagulation syndromes). Abnormal CIE patterns were seen in the Fletcher and Fitzgerald deficient plasmas and also in some of the patients with intravascular coagulation. In vitro studies of plasma treated with thrombin, plasmin, and contact activating agents indicated that abnormal CIE patterns and increased PKA antigen levels were indicative of activation of the Hageman factor dependent pathway and not the result of plasma clotting by thrombin. In vivo activation of the Hageman factor dependent pathway frequently results in an abnormal CIE and a low PKA antigen level.