Insights from von Willebrand disease animal models

von Willebrand disease is a genetic bleeding disorder that arises from abno rmalities in von Willebrand factor, an adhesive glycoprotein involved in bo th primary hemostasis and coagulation. It is the most common inherited blee ding disorder in humans, and over the years several animal species have als o been described as suffering from this disease whether through a spontaneo us mutation (pigs, dogs) or a genetically engineered one (mouse). These dif ferent animal models are extremely useful in exploring the characteristics of von Willebrand disease and in testing new treatments. This review provid es an update of the various von Willebrand disease models and the contribut ion that these models can make to st better understanding of human von Will ebrand disease.