Study of endothelial t-PA and vWf in normal subjects and in von Willebrand's disease

Some well-described similarities exist between tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and von Willebrand factor (vWf) which may suggest a link in either the synthesis or release of both proteins from endothelial cells. To investigate this relationship further immunocytochemical localization of t-PA and vWf was performed in normal tissues and in skin obtained from patients with type I and type III von Willebrand's disease (vWd). Components of the fibrinolytic system were measured at baseline and after venous occlusion in healthy controls and patients with vWd. Patients with severe vWd received intravenous vWf concentrate, followed by desmopressin (DDAVP), to study the plasma response of vWf and t-PA. By immunocytochemical staining, t-PA was demonstrated in endothelial cells of normal skin, kidney and liver and also in the skin of patients with type I and type III vWd. vWf was localized in endothelial cells of all tissues except the specimens from an individual with severe vWd. Basal plasma levels of fibrinolytic components were normal in patients with vWd. Venous occlusion resulted in a rise of fibrinolytic activity in controls and patients with type I, but not type III, vWd. No rise in plasma t-PA was observed following DDAVP in severe vWd, even though near-normalization of plasma vWf levels had been obtained by prior infusion of vWf concentrate. It is concluded that the synthesis of t-PA and vWf is probably regulated by independent processes. Constitutive and regulated release of both proteins occur through different mechanisms and the basal secretion of t-PA is intact in severe vWd.