Von Willebrand factor abnormalities in IgA nephropathy

Plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor (vWF) has been used as an index of endothelial dysfunction. Increased release of vWF from endothelial cells has been reported in several conditions, and there is also evidence that dysfunctioning endothelial cells synthesize defective molecules. In fact, unusually large vWF multimers have been described and related to the pathogenesis of some microangiopathic diseases. Abnormal levels of vWF have been reported in primary glomerulitis, but this was no referred to histological diagnosis. Furthermore, no qualitative vWF analysis was performed in these glomerulopathies. Therefore the aim of our study was to analyse quantitatively and qualitatively vWF in patients with IgA (IgAN) and non-IgA mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (PGN).