Force-induced biphasic regulation of VWF cleavage by ADAMTS13

It is crucial for hemostasis that platelets are rapidly recruited to the site of vascular injury by the adhesive ligand von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. The metalloproteinase ADAMTS13 regulates this hemostatic activity by proteolytically reducing the size of VWF and its proteolytic kinetics has been investigated by biochemical and single-molecule biophysical methods. However, how ADAMTS13 cleaves VWF in flowing blood remains poorly defined. To investigate the force-induced VWF cleavage, VWF A1A2A3 tridomains were immobilized and subjected to hydrodynamic forces in the presence of ADAMTS13.
Source: Thrombosis Research - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Full Length Article Source Type: research