Human alpha-fetoprotein/AFP/ I. Isolation of homogenous AFP from cord blood serum.

The AFP from human cord blood was isolated by means of affinity chromatography with the use of antibodies as ligands and by gel filtration. The preliminary purification was achieved by affinity chromatography on CNBr-Sepharose 4B coupled with anti AFP-antibody. Further purification was obtained by the use of immunoadsorbent with anti-human serum protein antibodies. Final purification was achieved by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Homogeneity of the purified AFP was demonstrated by means of gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing and immunoelectrophoresis.