VWF Inhibitors

Common VWF Inhibitors include, but are not limited to Desmopressin CAS 16679-58-6, Hydroxyurea CAS 127-07-1, Aspirin CAS 50-78-2, JS-K CAS 205432-12-8 and Warfarin CAS 81-81-2.

Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a large multimeric plasma glycoprotein that plays a pivotal role in hemostasis, which is the process that stops bleeding. VWF's primary functions include mediating platelet adhesion to the subendothelium of damaged blood vessels and stabilizing factor VIII (FVIII), a crucial clotting factor. This stabilization prevents the premature degradation of FVIII. When blood vessels are injured, VWF binds to exposed subendothelial collagen and then captures circulating platelets, thereby initiating the formation of a platelet plug to prevent excessive bleeding. The importance of VWF in maintaining vascular integrity is underscored by von Willebrand Disease (VWD), a genetic disorder resulting from defects or deficiencies in VWF, which leads to bleeding complications.

VWF inhibitors are molecules designed to modulate the activity or levels of VWF. These inhibitors can act by various mechanisms. Some might directly bind to VWF, preventing its interaction with platelets or collagen, thereby affecting platelet adhesion. Others might interfere with the multimerization of VWF, which is essential for its function. Another class of inhibitors might target the biosynthesis or secretion of VWF, leading to reduced plasma levels of the glycoprotein. Additionally, post-translational modifications, such as cleavage or glycosylation, can critically regulate VWF's activity, and certain inhibitors could target enzymes responsible for these modifications.