ADAMTS13: a new link between thrombosis and inflammation

AK Chauhan, J Kisucka, A Brill, MT Walsh… - The Journal of …, 2008 - rupress.org
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2008rupress.org
von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels are elevated and a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease
with thrombospondin type I repeats–13 (ADAMTS13) activity is decreased in both acute and
chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that by cleaving hyperactive ultralarge VWF
(ULVWF) multimers, ADAMTS13 down-regulates both thrombosis and inflammation. Using
intravital microscopy, we show that ADAMTS13 deficiency results in increased leukocyte
rolling on unstimulated veins and increased leukocyte adhesion in inflamed veins. Both …
von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels are elevated and a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I repeats–13 (ADAMTS13) activity is decreased in both acute and chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that by cleaving hyperactive ultralarge VWF (ULVWF) multimers, ADAMTS13 down-regulates both thrombosis and inflammation. Using intravital microscopy, we show that ADAMTS13 deficiency results in increased leukocyte rolling on unstimulated veins and increased leukocyte adhesion in inflamed veins. Both processes were dependent on the presence of VWF. Depletion of platelets in Adamts13−/− mice reduced leukocyte rolling, suggesting that platelet interaction with ULVWF contributes to this process. Increased levels of endothelial P-selectin and plasma VWF in Adamts13−/− compared with wild-type (WT) mice indicated an elevated release of Weibel-Palade bodies. ULVWF multimers released upon stimulation with histamine, a secretagogue of Weibel-Palade bodies, slowed down leukocyte rolling in Adamts13−/− but not in WT mice. Furthermore, in inflammatory models, ADAMTS13 deficiency resulted in enhanced extravasation of neutrophils, and this process was also dependent on VWF. Our findings reveal an important role for ADAMTS13 in preventing excessive spontaneous Weibel-Palade body secretion, and in the regulation of leukocyte adhesion and extravasation during inflammation.
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