Targeting Venous Thrombus Matrix Proteins to Modulate Venous Endothelium Function

Unresolved chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to post thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Currently, there are no direct therapies for PTS prevention. Targeting a non-anticoagulant pathway may provide a safe therapy for preventing thrombosis induced vein wall injury. The thrombus matrix and its interaction with the vein wall endothelium may impact thrombus structure as well as vein wall injury. Laminin and the a6b1 integrin are suspected to be key players in thrombus matrix maturation. We therefore hypothesize that drugs targeting a6b1 integrin might impact thrombotic and fibrotic pathways on venous endothelial cells (VECs).