SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a activates the endothelium to release von Willebrand factor that promotes thrombosis
We demonstrate for the first time that SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a may be one of the pathogenic factors contributing to COVID-19-associated thrombosis by activating the vascular endothelium to release ultralarge VWF, which promotes platelet adhesion and agglutination, and thrombus formation. Thus, a strategy specifically targeting VWF-platelet interaction, such as recombinant a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats, 13 (ADAMTS-13) and/or caplacizumab, may be efficacious in reducing COVID-19-associated thrombosis and mortality.
Authors
- X. Long Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1680-5295)
- Jin‐Gu Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9477-6990)
- Malay Kumar Basu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8008-4042)
- Hangnoh Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0442-8330)
- Felice D’Agnillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4134-9490)
- Zhe Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5177-7798)
- Joyce van de Leemput (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1903-7295)
- Szumam Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2643-5048)
- Quan Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9776-2401)
- Xiaohu Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3864-8120)
- Shiwani Limbu
Institutions
- University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (US)
- Central South University (CN)
- Precision for Medicine (United States) (US)
- University of Kansas Medical Center (US)
- Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- Published
- 2025-05-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpth.2025.102947
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.40
Funders
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute