Various multimeric patterns of plasma vWF observed in patients with acute TMA.

The multimeric distribution of vWF was studied using 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 1% agarose gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions. About 1 mIU vWFAg was loaded in each well. After migration and washing, the gels were incubated with a ¹²⁵I-goat polyclonal antibody to vWF. After extensive washing, vWF-associated radioactivity was revealed by autoradiography. Patients with acute TMA show, respectively, an increased proportion of HMW multimers, including UL forms (A), a normal multimeric distribution (B), and a partial loss of the HMW (C). NP indicates normal pooled plasma.