von Willebrand factor (VWF) protects factor VIII (FVIII) from proteolysis and mediates the initial contact of platelets with the injured vessel wall, thus playing an important role in hemostasis and thrombosis. VWF is crucial for the formation of occlusive thrombi at arterial shear rates. However, with only a few conflicting studies published, the role of VWF in venous thrombosis is still unclear. Using genetargeted mice, we show that in ferric chloride-injured veins platelet adhesion to subendothelium is decreased and thrombus growth is impaired in VWF ؊/؊ mice when compared with wild type (WT). We also observed increased embolization in the VWF ؊/؊ mice, which was due to lower FVIII levels in these mice as recombinant factor VIII (r-FVIII) restored thrombus stability. Despite normalization of blood clotting time and thrombus stability after r-FVIII infusion, the VWF ؊/؊ venules did not occlude.
Introductionvon Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large adhesive glycoprotein synthesized in megakaryocytes and endothelial cells and stored in platelet ␣-granules and Weibel-Palade bodies, respectively. VWF circulates in plasma as a series of multimers ranging from 500 to 20 000 kDa. The size of the multimers is regulated through proteolysis 1,2 by a specific protease ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I repeats-13). [3][4][5] There are 3 pools of VWF: (1) soluble plasma VWF, (2) subendothelial (ECM) VWF, and (3) cellular VWF in storage granules. 6 VWF is a carrier for factor VIII (FVIII) and protects it from inactivation. 7 The formation of a thrombus on an injured vessel wall is a complex process that involves multiple adhesion molecules (VWF, collagen, fibrinogen, and fibronectin) and their respective receptors on the platelet surface (GPIb␣, GPVI, 1 and 3 integrins). VWF has 2 main receptors, GPIb␣ in the GPIb-IX-V complex and the integrin ␣IIb3. 8 Pathological thrombosis can occur in arteries and veins. Arterial thrombosis is often linked to inappropriate platelet activation and can result in myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, while venous thrombosis (eg, deep vein thrombosis) is commonly linked to high procoagulant activity, which produces fibrin-rich thrombi. In the clinical setting, elevated levels of FVIII and VWF are associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The Leiden Thrombophilia Study suggested that the effect of elevated VWF on the risk of venous thrombosis was due to increased FVIII levels. 9 In contrast, the Longitudinal Investigation of Thromboembolism Etiology (LITE) Study showed FVIII and VWF were independently associated with venous thromboembolism. 10 Under high shear, the VWF-GPIb␣ interaction is necessary for initial platelet contact with the subendothelium, while irreversible platelet aggregation also requires interaction between the VWF and integrin ␣IIb3. 8,[11][12][13] Although an important role for VWF in platelet-platelet cohesion and thrombus formation at arterial shear rates was demonstrated both in vitro 13,14 and in vivo, 15,...