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Thromb Haemost 2000; 84(02): 183-187
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613994
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Persistently Elevated Levels of von Willebrand Factor Antigen in HIV Infection

Downregulation during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
P. Aukrust
1   From the Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
S. Bjørnsen
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
B. Lunden
1   From the Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
K. Otterdal
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
E. C. Ng
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
W. Ameln
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
T. Ueland
3   Section of Endocrinology, Medical Department, Oslo, Norway
,
F. Müller
1   From the Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
N. O. Solum
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
F. Brosstad
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
,
S. S. Frøland
1   From the Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
2   Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
› Author AffiliationsWe thank Lisbeth Wikeby and Turid Pedersen for excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by the Norwegian Cancer Society, the Research Council of Norway, Anders Jahre’s Foundation, Medinnova Foundation and Odd Kåre Rabben’s Memorial Fund for AIDS Research.
Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 November 1999

Accepted after resubmission 13 February 2000

Publication Date:
14 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Levels of circulating von Willebrand factor (vWf) antigen are thought to reflect endothelial involvement in various disorders. In the present study we found markedly elevated plasma levels of vWf in HIV-infected patients demonstrated on both cross-sectional and longitudinal testing. Notably, we found that a persistent rise in vWf antigen was associated with progression of HIV-related disease. This elevation of vWf antigen represented functionally normal vWf as evaluated by plasma FVIII, ristocetin cofactor assay and vWf multimer analyses. While HIV-infected patients showed enhanced platelet activation, platelets did not contribute substantially to the increased vWf levels. The high vWf levels were significantly correlated with high viral load, and during HAART, the pronounced decline in HIV RNA levels was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in vWf. The persistent elevation of functionally normal vWf during HIV infection, most probably reflecting a persistent endothelial cell activation, may have an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection.

Keywords

von Willebrand factor - HIV infection - endothelial cells - platelets - highly active antiretroviral therapy
 

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