Potential Role of High Molecular Weight Von Willebrand Factor Multimers in COVID-19 Hemorheological Abnormality

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, exhibits varying severity, with thromboembolic events prevalent in severe cases. Dysregulated von Willebrand factor (VWF), ADAMTS13, and abnormal blood rheology contribute to the hypercoagulable state of COVID-19. Employing computational biophysics approach, we utilized the Lattice Boltzmann Method to simulate blood plasma flow and modelled the deformable components using a coarse-grained spectrin link membrane model. The immersed boundary method (IBM) was used for the interactions between the fluid and solid phases. IBM also enabled the simulation of receptor-ligand interactions in deformable cells. Our findings demonstrate that uncleaved high molecular weight VWF multimers (HMW-VWF) tethered to the endothelium enhance platelet aggregation elevating viscosity. Understanding these mechanisms can aid developing effective treatments for COVID-19-related thrombotic complications.