Multimer analysis of VWF in conditioned media. (A) High-resolution multimer analysis (3% agarose gels) and (C) schematic representation of multimer composition. Dimers (D) and tetramers (T) are indicated together with sub-band composition in accordance with the schematic representation.^30,31  D_I-III and T_I-V (subscript Roman numerals) indicate polymers containing combinations of wild-type VWF (pro- or mature VWF). D_1-3 and T_1-5 (Italics, subscript Arabic numerals) indicate polymers containing deleted VWF (mature). A dotted line flanks the fast-migrating and smeared bands containing heterotetramers. The similar extent of the deleted and propeptide region causes comigration of bands with different subunit composition. Comigrating proteins are indicated in the same line (scheme), and comigrating bands (D_I + D₃, T_III + T₅) are indicated by the sum of specific dimers or tetramers. A total of 1 ng (left and center panels) and 0.25 ng (right panel) of protein were loaded in each lane, based on VWF:Ag concentration in media. Accordingly, the gel in the right panel was overexposed. (B) Multimer analysis in 1.8% agarose gels. Equal volumes of media (15 μL) were loaded in each lane to highlight both quantitative and qualitative differences among samples. The relative molar amounts of each vector and siRNA are reported in the tables. N (normal plasma from an healthy person with normal values of VWF) was diluted 1/200.