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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Investigating von Willebrand Factor Pathophysiology Using a Flow Chamber Model of von Willebrand Factor-platelet String Formation
Published on: August 14, 2017
[Effects of homocysteine on human vascular endothelial cells, platelet aggregation and heparin cofactor activity]
Objectives:
To elucidate partly the mechanism of homocysteine-associated thrombosis.
Methods:
1. Thrombomodulin (TM) antigen distribution on human vascular endothelial cell (EC) membrane was assayed by immune-fluorescence histochemistry stain and flow cytometry; 2. Plasma heparin cofactor activity was measured by chromogenic method.
Results:
Homocysteine (Hcy) significantly down-regulated the expression of TM on EC, with a concentration-dependent manner; 2. Hcy did not influence platelet aggregation induced by ADP and thrombin; 3. Hcy exerted no effects on the activities of antithrombin III or heparin cofactor.
Conclusion:
The effect of Hcy in developing thrombosis may be associated with an inhibitory action on EC TM expression; which was independent of platelet aggregation or heparin cofactor activity.
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