The Role of von Willebrand Factor in Vascular Inflammation: From Pathogenesis to Targeted Therapy

Figure 2

The “solar system” of VWF-mediated vascular inflammation. VWF is central in the “solar system” of vascular inflammation, and many inflammatory pathways orbit in its “gravitational field.” VWF supports leukocyte and platelet recruitment in inflamed tissue, modulates vascular permeability and edema formation, may promote atherosclerotic plaque formation and inflammation, and provides an activating surface for complement activation and NETosis. All these mechanisms may contribute to tissue injury and organ failure in thromboinflammatory disorders.