论文部分内容阅读
von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a glycoprotein which is essential for platelet adhesion to endothelium.vWF is synthesized and stored mainly in endothelial cells.Within the endothelium, expression of vWF varies between different vascular beds.Elevated plasma level of vWF has been found in patients with diabetic microangiopathy, and it is a possible indicator of endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetes.Previous studies observed occurrence in diabetes of the slow release of endothelial vWF through the pathway of secretion not linked to synthesis.However, we recently found that vWF transcription is increased in several vascular beds of diabetic animals.Our findings suggest that expression vWF is regulated by vascular bed-specific mechanisms during the development of microangiopathy.