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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Automated Detection and Analysis of Exocytosis
Published on: September 11, 2021
Regulation of Weibel-Palade body exocytosis
Charles J Lowenstein1, Craig N Morrell, Munekazu Yamakuchi
1Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. clowenst@jhmi.edu
Abstract:
Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are endothelial granules that store von Willebrand factor (VWF), P-selectin, and other vascular modulators. Endothelial cells secrete WPBs in response to vascular injury, releasing VWF, which triggers platelet rolling, and externalizing P-selectin, which activates leukocyte trafficking. Endothelial exocytosis is one of the earliest responses to vascular damage and plays a pivotal role in thrombosis and inflammation. This review examines the regulation of WPB exocytosis-the exocytic machinery, activators, and inhibitors of exocytosis-and speculates about the development of novel anti-exocytic drugs.
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