PURPOSE OF REVIEW
VWF is a large multi-domain, multimeric glycoprotein that plays an essential role in regulating the balance between blood clotting and bleeding. Aberrant VWF regulation can lead to a spectrum of diseases extending from bleeding disorders (VWD) to aberrant thrombosis (TTP). Understanding the biology of VWF expression and secretion is essential for developing novel targeted therapies for VWF related hemostasis disorders.
RECENT FINDINGS
A number of recent elegant in vitro and in vivo studies will be highlighted including the discovery of intronic splicing in the VWF gene, miRNA regulated VWF gene expression, and syntaxin binding protein and autophagy mediated VWF secretion. Compared with the already established critical role of VWF in VWD and TTP pathophysiology, additional clinical studies have clarified and reinforced the association of increased plasma levels of VWF with an increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, venous thrombosis and diabetic thrombotic complications. Moreover, experimental mouse models of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction have further support VWF as a potential therapeutic target.
SUMMARY
VWF biosynthesis, maturation, and secretion is a complex process, which mandates tight regulation. Significant progress has been made in our understandings of VWF expression and secretion and its association with thrombotic diseases, contributing to the development of novel targeting VWF drugs for prevention and treatment of deficient and enhanced hemostasis.