Semin Thromb Hemost 2007; 33(8): 787-797
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000365
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Reduced von Willebrand Factor-Cleaving Protease Levels in Secondary Thrombotic Microangiopathies and Other Diseases

Massimo Franchini1 , Martina Montagnana2 , Giovanni Targher3 , Giuseppe Lippi2
  • 1Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione - Centro Emofilia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, Verona, Italy
  • 2Sezione di Chimica Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
  • 3Sezione di Endocrinologia e Malattie del Metabolismo, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Chirurgiche, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 January 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a severe multisystem thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Significant advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of TTP since the discovery of ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-1-like domains), the enzyme that regulates the size of von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers. The inherited forms of TTP are mainly caused by a severe ADAMTS-13 deficiency, yet many aspects of the complex biological relationships between VWF-cleaving metalloproteinase and acquired TMA are still unclear. This latter issue will be critically addressed in this review article. In addition, the published literature evaluating plasma ADAMTS-13 levels in other pathologic conditions different from TMA will also be discussed.

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Massimo FranchiniM.D. 

Servizio di Immunoematologia e Trasfusione - Centro Emofilia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, P.le Stefani 1

37126 - Verona, Italy

Email: massimo.franchini@univr.it