Interaction of platelet-decorated VWF strings with leukocytes and infected red blood cells in vitro. Interaction of platelet-decorated VWF strings with leukocytes and infected red blood cells in vitro. (A) Leukocytes (purple circles) interact with platelet-decorated VWF strings in vitro in the absence of ADAMTS13,51 which results in rolling of leukocytes over the VWF string, suggesting that VWF strings in the absence of ADAMTS13 can contribute to inflammation. (B) Red blood cells infected with the malaria parasite P falciparum (red circles) adhere to platelet-decorated VWF strings via the platelet receptor CD36 in vitro in the absence of ADAMTS13.85 This mechanism might explain binding of infected red blood cells to the brain endothelium in cerebral malaria. Karen De Ceunynck et al. Blood 2013;121:270-277 ©2013 by American Society of Hematology