Inverse relationship between plasma von Willebrand factor and soluble P selectin in patients with type 1 but not type 2 von Willebrand disease

P selectin is a component of endothelial Wiebel‐Palade body membrane and platelet alpha granule membrane. Patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) have low plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF). To examine the relationship between plasma P selectin and VWF, both were measured by ELISA in 38 patients with VWD and 40 controls. The patient had lower VWF ( P < 0.001) but similar P selectin levels ( P = 0.458). In 24 type 1 VWD patients, VWF and P selectin correlated inversely ( P = 0.005) but in 14 type 2 VWD patients there was no correlation ( P = 0.997). These data imply major differences in VWF/P‐selectin regulation between types 1 and 2 VWD. Am. J. Hematol. 69:135–137, 2002.© 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.