Correlation between the ADAMTS13 levels and the granulocyte elastase digests of cross-linked fibrin (E-XDP) levels in plasma of patients with sepsis-induced DIC and the effect of granulocyte elastase on ADAMTS13 in vitro. Correlations between the activity levels of ADAMTS13 and the plasma levels of granulocyte-elastase digests of fibrin (E-XDP) (A) and between the antigen levels of ADAMTS13 and the plasma levels of granulocyte-elastase digests of fibrin (E-XDP) (B) in patients with sepsis-induced DIC are shown. Values were analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient by rank test. Recombinant ADAMTS13 was incubated with granulocyte elastase at 5 nM or 50 nM, and degradation of ADAMTS13 by granulocyte elastase was studied after the indicated time and analyzed as described in “Patients, materials, and methods” (C).