Effects of Plasmin on von Willebrand Factor and Platelets: A Narrative Review

Lisa N van der Vorm, Jasper A Remijn, Bas de Laat, Dana Huskens

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Plasmin is the major fibrinolytic protease responsible for dissolving thrombi by cleavage of its primary substrate fibrin. In addition, emerging evidence points to other roles of plasmin: (1) as a back-up for ADAMTS13 in proteolysis of ultra-large von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers and (2) as an activator of platelets. Although the molecular mechanisms of fibrinolysis are well defined, insights on the effects of plasmin on VWF and platelets are relatively scarce and sometimes conflicting. Hence, this review provides an overview of the literature on the effects of plasmin on VWF multimeric structures, on VWF binding to platelets, and on platelet activation. This information is placed in the context of possible applications of thrombolytic therapy for the condition thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-228
Number of pages11
JournalTH open : companion journal to thrombosis and haemostasis
Volume2
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • plasmin
  • platelets
  • von Willebrand factor

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