von Willebrand factor mediates platelet adhesion to virally infected endothelial cells.

von Willebrand factor is an adhesive glycoprotein critical to normal hemostasis. It is stored in the Weibel-Palade body of endothelial cells and upon release may mediate platelet adhesion. Herpesvirus-infected endothelium is known to be prothrombotic and to support enhanced platelet adherence. We previously identified P-selectin as a monocyte receptor that is translocated from the Weibel-Palade body to the endothelial cell surface in response to the local generation of thrombin on herpesvirus infected cells. In this study, we show that viral injury to vascular endothelial cells induces secretion of von Willebrand factor which mediates enhanced platelet adhesion to these cells.