The role of vitronectin (Vn) in thrombosis is currently controversial; both inhibitory and
supportive roles have been reported. To monitor directly the function of Vn in thrombotic
events at the site of vascular injury, we studied Vn‐deficient (Vn–/–) and wild‐type (WT)
control mice with two real‐time intravital microscopy thrombosis models. In the mesenteric
arteriole model, vessel injury was induced by ferric chloride. We observed unstable thrombi
and a significantly greater number of emboli in Vn–/–mice. Vessel occlusion was also …