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Fan Z, Kernan KF, Qin Y, Canna S, Berg RA, Wessel D, Pollack MM, Meert K, Hall M, Newth C, Lin JC, Doctor A, Shanley T, Cornell T, Harrison RE, Zuppa AF, Sward K, Dean JM, Park HJ, Carcillo JA. Hyperferritinemic sepsis, macrophage activation syndrome, and mortality in a pediatric research network: a causal inference analysis. Crit Care 2023; 27:347. [PMID: 37674218 PMCID: PMC10481565 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of five global deaths are attributable to sepsis. Hyperferritinemic sepsis (> 500 ng/mL) is associated with increased mortality in single-center studies. Our pediatric research network's objective was to obtain rationale for designing anti-inflammatory clinical trials targeting hyperferritinemic sepsis. METHODS We assessed differences in 32 cytokines, immune depression (low whole blood ex vivo TNF response to endotoxin) and thrombotic microangiopathy (low ADAMTS13 activity) biomarkers, seven viral DNAemias, and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) defined by combined hepatobiliary dysfunction and disseminated intravascular coagulation, and mortality in 117 children with hyperferritinemic sepsis (ferritin level > 500 ng/mL) compared to 280 children with sepsis without hyperferritinemia. Causal inference analysis of these 41 variables, MAS, and mortality was performed. RESULTS Mortality was increased in children with hyperferritinemic sepsis (27/117, 23% vs 16/280, 5.7%; Odds Ratio = 4.85, 95% CI [2.55-9.60]; z = 4.728; P-value < 0.0001). Hyperferritinemic sepsis had higher C-reactive protein, sCD163, IL-22, IL-18, IL-18 binding protein, MIG/CXCL9, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17a, IFN-γ, IP10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF, MCP-3, IL-2RA (sCD25), IL-16, M-CSF, and SCF levels; lower ADAMTS13 activity, sFasL, whole blood ex vivo TNF response to endotoxin, and TRAIL levels; more Adenovirus, BK virus, and multiple virus DNAemias; and more MAS (P-value < 0.05). Among these variables, only MCP-1/CCL2 (the monocyte chemoattractant protein), MAS, and ferritin levels were directly causally associated with mortality. MCP-1/CCL2 and hyperferritinemia showed direct causal association with depressed ex vivo whole blood TNF response to endotoxin. MCP-1/CCL2 was a mediator of MAS. MCP-1/CCL2 and MAS were mediators of hyperferritinemia. CONCLUSIONS These findings establish hyperferritinemic sepsis as a high-risk condition characterized by increased cytokinemia, viral DNAemia, thrombotic microangiopathy, immune depression, macrophage activation syndrome, and death. The causal analysis provides rationale for designing anti-inflammatory trials that reduce macrophage activation to improve survival and enhance infection clearance in pediatric hyperferritinemic sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenziang Fan
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kate F Kernan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty Pavilion, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Center for Critical Care Nephrology and Clinical Research Investigation and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 2000, 4400 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15421, USA
| | - Yidi Qin
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Scott Canna
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Robert A Berg
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Wessel
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Murray M Pollack
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kathleen Meert
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
- Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - Mark Hall
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital Immune Surveillance Laboratory, and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Christopher Newth
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John C Lin
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Allan Doctor
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tom Shanley
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tim Cornell
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rick E Harrison
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Mattel Children's Hospital at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Athena F Zuppa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine Sward
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - J Michael Dean
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - H J Park
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph A Carcillo
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty Pavilion, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Center for Critical Care Nephrology and Clinical Research Investigation and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness Center, University of Pittsburgh, Suite 2000, 4400 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15421, USA.
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2
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Furini G, De Carli A, Fonnesu R, Spezia PG, Scebba F, Pistello M, Lai M, Lionetti V. Gene silencing of endothelial von Willebrand factor reduces the susceptibility of human endothelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. FEBS J 2023; 290:4300-4315. [PMID: 37098810 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying vascular endothelial susceptibility to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not fully understood. Emerging evidence indicates that patients lacking von Willebrand factor (vWF), an endothelial hallmark, are less severely affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, yet the precise role of endothelial vWF in modulating coronavirus entry into endothelial cells is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that effective gene silencing by short interfering RNA (siRNA) for vWF expression in resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) significantly reduced by 56% the cellular levels of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. Similar reduction in intracellular SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA levels was observed in non-activated HUVECs treated with siRNA targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the cellular gateway to coronavirus. By integrating quantitative information from real-time PCR and high-resolution confocal imaging, we demonstrated that ACE2 gene expression and its plasma membrane localization in HUVECs were both markedly reduced after treatment with siRNA anti-vWF or anti-ACE2. Conversely, siRNA anti-ACE2 did not reduce endothelial vWF gene expression and protein levels. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 infection of viable HUVECs was enhanced by overexpression of vWF, which increased ACE2 levels. Of note, we found a similar increase in interferon-β mRNA levels following transfection with untargeted, anti-vWF or anti-ACE2 siRNA and pcDNA3.1-WT-VWF. We envision that siRNA targeting endothelial vWF will protect against productive endothelial infection by SARS-CoV-2 through downregulation of ACE2 expression and might serve as a novel tool to induce disease resistance by modulating the regulatory role of vWF on ACE2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Furini
- Unit of Translational Critical Care Medicine, Laboratory of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- UOSVD Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Fondazione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Carli
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossella Fonnesu
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Scebba
- BioMedicine Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
- Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Michele Lai
- Virology Section, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Retrovirus Center, University of Pisa, Italy
- CISUP - Centre for Instrumentation Sharing - University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lionetti
- Unit of Translational Critical Care Medicine, Laboratory of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- UOSVD Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Fondazione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Pisa, Italy
- BioMedicine Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Research Center "Health Science", Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
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3
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Fuentes AD, Rubio GT, Acuña CA, Rubio FD, Milic FB, Troncoso PC. Near-fatal cocaine intoxication in an infant with thrombotic microangiopathy associated with multiple organ failure. REVISTA PAULISTA DE PEDIATRIA : ORGAO OFICIAL DA SOCIEDADE DE PEDIATRIA DE SAO PAULO 2023; 42:e2022159. [PMID: 37646745 PMCID: PMC10503420 DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2024/42/2022159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report a pediatric case of drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy caused by cocaine. CASE DESCRIPTION We report a nine-month-old patient who developed thrombotic microangiopathies after extreme cocaine intoxication, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with hemodynamic dysfunction, anuric renal failure, liver failure, encephalopathy, and myocardial injury, corresponding phenotypically to thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure. The patient received continuous venous hemofiltration and therapeutic plasma exchange, recovering satisfactorily. She was discharged after 30 days of hospitalization under the guidance of the childcare service, and was healthy after one year of follow-up. Toxicological samples confirmed high levels of cocaine and derivatives in blood, urine and hair. COMMENTS To our knowledge, this is the first reported pediatric case. There are particularities of cocaine intoxication pathophysiology that can trigger thrombotic microangiopathies because of vasoconstriction, direct endothelial injury, platelet activation, and increasing von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen levels. All of which results in a prothrombotic state, inflammatory dysregulation, and microvascular thrombi. The increasing use of cocaine, especially among young adults, puts children at high risk of toxicity, either by passive unintentional exposure, or abuse due to the increased availability in homes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camila Ampuero Acuña
- Hospital Clínico Dra. Eloísa Díaz I., Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Santiago, Chile
| | - Franco Díaz Rubio
- Hospital Clínico Dra. Eloísa Díaz I., Pediatric Critical Care Unit, Santiago, Chile
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Hafez W, Ziade MA, Arya A, Saleh H, Ali S, Rao SR, Fdl Alla O, Ali M, Zouhbi MA, Abdelrahman A. Reduced ADAMTS13 Activity in Correlation with Pathophysiology, Severity, and Outcome of COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Study. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 117:334-344. [PMID: 35167969 PMCID: PMC8839807 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low ADAMTS13 activity has been suggested to be an interplaying factor in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, considering that it is a thromboinflammatory disease with high risk of microthrombosis. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to explore the correlation between ADAMTS13 activity and the pathophysiological pathway of COVID-19. METHODS We carried out a retrospective observational study of 87 patients with COVID-19 in NMC Royal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE. ADAMTS13 activity was measured and compared with patients' characteristics and clinical outcomes. RESULTS Low ADAMTS13 activity was associated with pneumonia (p = 0.007), severity of COVID-19 (p <0.001), and mechanical ventilation rates (p = 0.018). Death was more frequently observed among patients (5 patients) with low ADAMTS13 activity compared with normal activity (1 patient), as well as inflammatory markers. Decreased ADAMTS13 activity increased with the risk of pneumonia, severity of COVID-19, need for mechanical ventilation, and use of anticoagulants ([OR = 4.75, 95% CI 1.54-18.02, p = 0.011], [OR = 6.50, 95% CI 2.57-17.74; p <0.001], [OR = 4.10, 95% CI 1.29-15.82; p = 0.024], [OR = 8.00, 95% CI 3.13-22.16; p <0.001], respectively). The low ADAMTS13 activity group had a slightly longer time to viral clearance than the normal ADAMTS13 activity group, but it was not statistically significant (20 days, 95% CI 16-27 days vs 17 days, 95% CI 13-22 days; p = 0.08; Log rank = 3.1). CONCLUSIONS Low ADAMTS13 activity has been linked to pneumonia, COVID-19 severity, use of anticoagulants, and need for mechanical ventilation but not to mortality. We propose rADAMTS13 as a novel treatment for severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Hafez
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Medical Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, The National Research Centre, 33 El Buhouth St, Ad Doqi, Dokki, Cairo Governorate 12622, Egypt.
| | - Mohamad Azzam Ziade
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arun Arya
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Husam Saleh
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sara Ali
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Srinivasa Raghu Rao
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Osman Fdl Alla
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Ali
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mouhamad Al Zouhbi
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Abdelrahman
- NMC Royal Hospital, 16th Street, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Internal Medicine Department, Zagazig School of medicine, Zagazig, Egypt
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5
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Sinkovits G, Réti M, Müller V, Iványi Z, Gál J, Gopcsa L, Reményi P, Szathmáry B, Lakatos B, Szlávik J, Bobek I, Prohászka ZZ, Förhécz Z, Mező B, Csuka D, Hurler L, Kajdácsi E, Cervenak L, Kiszel P, Masszi T, Vályi-Nagy I, Prohászka Z. Associations between the von Willebrand Factor-ADAMTS13 Axis, Complement Activation, and COVID-19 Severity and Mortality. Thromb Haemost 2022; 122:240-256. [PMID: 35062036 PMCID: PMC8820843 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Background
Endothelial and complement activation were both associated with immunothrombosis, a key determinant of COVID-19 severity, but their interrelation has not yet been investigated.
Objectives
We aimed to determine von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen (VWF:Ag) concentration, VWF collagen binding activity (VWF:CBA), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) activity (ADAMTS13:Ac), and their ratios in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and to investigate how these parameters and their constellation with complement activation relate to disease severity and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19.
Methods
Samples of 102 hospitalized patients with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positivity were included in our observational cohort study. Patients were stratified according to the peak severity of COVID-19 disease in agreement with the World Health Organization ordinal scale. Twenty-six convalescent plasma donors with previous COVID-19 disease formed the control group. VWF:Ag concentration and VWF:CBA were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); ADAMTS13:Ac was determined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Complement C3 and C3a were measured by turbidimetry and ELISA, respectively. Clinical covariates and markers of inflammation were extracted from hospital records.
Results
VWF:Ag and VWF:CBA were elevated in all groups of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and increased in parallel with disease severity. ADAMTS13:Ac was decreased in patients with severe COVID-19, with the lowest values in nonsurvivors. High (> 300%) VWF:Ag concentrations or decreased (< 67%) ADAMTS13:Ac were associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease or in-hospital mortality. The concomitant presence of decreased ADAMTS13:Ac and increased C3a/C3 ratio—indicating complement overactivation and consumption—was a strong independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that an interaction between the VWF-ADAMTS13 axis and complement overactivation and consumption plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Sinkovits
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marienn Réti
- Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Veronika Müller
- Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Iványi
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Gál
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Gopcsa
- Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Reményi
- Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Beáta Szathmáry
- Department of Infectology, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Botond Lakatos
- Department of Infectology, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Szlávik
- Department of Infectology, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ilona Bobek
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zita Z Prohászka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Förhécz
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Blanka Mező
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University - Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Csuka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lisa Hurler
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erika Kajdácsi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Cervenak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Petra Kiszel
- Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University - Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Masszi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Vályi-Nagy
- Department of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Central Hospital of Southern Pest, Institute of Haematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University - Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
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Alavi P, Rathod AM, Jahroudi N. Age-Associated Increase in Thrombogenicity and Its Correlation with von Willebrand Factor. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4190. [PMID: 34575297 PMCID: PMC8472522 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells that cover the lumen of all blood vessels have the inherent capacity to express both pro and anticoagulant molecules. However, under normal physiological condition, they generally function to maintain a non-thrombogenic surface for unobstructed blood flow. In response to injury, certain stimuli, or as a result of dysfunction, endothelial cells release a highly adhesive procoagulant protein, von Willebrand factor (VWF), which plays a central role in formation of platelet aggregates and thrombus generation. Since VWF expression is highly restricted to endothelial cells, regulation of its levels is among the most important functions of endothelial cells for maintaining hemostasis. However, with aging, there is a significant increase in VWF levels, which is concomitant with a significant rise in thrombotic events. It is not yet clear why and how aging results in increased VWF levels. In this review, we have aimed to discuss the age-related increase in VWF, its potential mechanisms, and associated coagulopathies as probable consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nadia Jahroudi
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada; (P.A.); (A.M.R.)
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