VWF and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: In summary, this study shows that neutrophil proteases, taken up or trapped within the GBM, can cleave VWF and thereby offer protection against disproportionate platelet-VWF thrombus formation in the glomerulus, a finding which may explain how the kidney is protected from microthrombi formation in the subendothelium during inflammation and also why some TTP patients do not exhibit severe renal damage in spite of the development of TMA in their kidneys.