Detection of activated platelets - using antibody to blood platelet cell membrane associated antigen and indicator

摘要

A diagnostic site-specific imaging reagent comprises a receptor raised in an animal host to a blood platelet cell membrane-associated antigen and an indicator. The receptor is capable of selectively binding to a specific cell membrane-associated antigen of a blood platelet when the platelet is in a stimulated state but is non-binding to the platelet when it is not so stimulated and the indicator labels the receptor and images the site of the antigen, whereby the reagent can detect and discriminate between stimulated and non-stimulated platelets. A pref. protein for use as an antigen comprises fibrinogen, fibronectin, von Willebrand factor or esp. thrombospondin. The receptor may be a polyclonal antibody or monoclonal antibody e.g. produced by hybridomas ATCC HB 8680 and ATCC HB 8681. Methods of producing these are also claimed.