Von Willebrand factor, angiodysplasia and angiogenesis
File(s)
Author(s)
Randi, AM
Laffan, MA
Starke, RD
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The large multimeric glycoprotein Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is best known for its role in haemostasis; however in recent years other functions of VWF have been identified, indicating that this protein is involved in multiple vascular processes. We recently described a new role for VWF in controlling angiogenesis, which may have significant clinical implications for patients with Von Willebrand disease (VWD), a genetic or acquired condition caused by the deficiency or dysfunction of VWF. VWD can be associated with angiodysplasia, a condition of degenerative blood vessels often present in the gastrointestinal tract, linked to dysregulated angiogenesis. Angiodysplasia can cause severe intractable bleeding, often refractory to conventional VWD treatments. In this review we summarise the evidence showing that VWF controls angiogenesis, and review the angiogenic pathways which have been implicated in this process. We discuss the possible mechanisms though which VWF regulates angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and integrin αvβ3, leading to signalling through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2), one of the most potent activators of angiogenesis. We also review the evidence that links VWF with angiodysplasia, and how the newly identified function of VWF in controlling angiogenesis may pave the way for the development of novel therapies for the treatment of angiodysplasia in congenital VWD and in acquired conditions such as Heyde syndrome.
Date Issued
2013-09-02
Date Acceptance
2013-08-20
Citation
Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 2013, 5 (1)
ISSN
2035-3006
Publisher
PAGEpress
Journal / Book Title
Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
Volume
5
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is properly cited
License URL
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation
Identifier
PII: mjhid-5-1-e2013060
Grant Number
G0600868
FS/10/47/28393
PG/11/50/28984
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e2013060