Blocking von Willebrand factor for treatment of cutaneous inflammation

J Invest Dermatol. 2014 Jan;134(1):77-86. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.292. Epub 2013 Jun 28.

Abstract

Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a key player in hemostasis, is increasingly recognized as a proinflammatory protein. Here, we found a massive accumulation of VWF in skin biopsies of patients suffering from immune complex (IC)-mediated vasculitis (ICV). To clarify the impact of VWF on cutaneous inflammation, we induced experimental ICV either in mice treated with VWF-blocking antibodies or in VWF(-/-) mice. Interference with VWF led to a significant inhibition of the cutaneous inflammatory response. We confirmed the major findings in irritative contact dermatitis, a second model of cutaneous inflammation. In vivo imaging of cutaneous inflammation in the dorsal skinfold chamber revealed unaffected leukocyte rolling on anti-VWF treatment. However, we identified that reduced leukocyte recruitment is accompanied by reduced vascular permeability. Although VWF-mediated neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneum was described to require the VWF receptor on platelets (glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα)), the VWF/GPIbα axis was dispensable for cutaneous inflammation. As assessed in tail bleeding assays, we could exclude interference of VWF blockade with hemostasis. Of particular importance, anti-VWF treatment was effective both in prophylactic and therapeutic administration. Thus, VWF represents a promising target for the treatment of cutaneous inflammation, e.g., leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / immunology
  • Antibodies, Blocking / pharmacology*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / drug effects
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
  • Dermatitis, Contact / drug therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Contact / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Immune Complex Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Immune Complex Diseases / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / immunology
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / drug therapy*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / immunology
  • von Willebrand Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • von Willebrand Factor / genetics
  • von Willebrand Factor / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex
  • von Willebrand Factor