Investigation Of Activating Signals Transmitted During Platelet Aggregation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,750.00
Summary
The blood platelet is a specialized adhesive cell that plays a critical role in the normal blood clotting process through its ability to rapidly adhere to sites of vascular damage. Upon injury to a blood vessel, platelets undergo a number of internal signalling process and strucural changes that allow them to rapidly adhere to the area of damage. Following this initial adhesion process, platelet-platelet interactions occur leading to the development of a stable blood clot. Our research studies a ....The blood platelet is a specialized adhesive cell that plays a critical role in the normal blood clotting process through its ability to rapidly adhere to sites of vascular damage. Upon injury to a blood vessel, platelets undergo a number of internal signalling process and strucural changes that allow them to rapidly adhere to the area of damage. Following this initial adhesion process, platelet-platelet interactions occur leading to the development of a stable blood clot. Our research studies are aimed at understanding more closely the factors that regulate platelet-platelet interactions during the course of blood clot formation, since this is an important determinant not only of normal clot formation, but also in the development of harmful blood clots (thrombi) associated with the onset of diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Our particular focus is on the way in which platelets communicate to one another during the course of platelet thrombus development. Particulary, we are interested in the role of calcium as a signal mediating platelet-platelet communication. We believe that the transmission of these calcium signals may be the key signaling mediator of blood clot formation and normal haemostasis.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Role For GPVI In Platelet Function And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,772.00
Summary
Blood cells play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are studying the role of platelets in blood clots following vessel injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells also contribute to diseases including thrombosis. We will examine how an important platelet receptor called GPVI promotes blood clot formation, and examine whether combining anticoagulant drugs with GPVI deficient platelets leads to a more effective anticlotting approach.
Investigation Of The Role Of The GPIb/V/IX-filamin-1 Interaction In Regulating Platelet Function In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,750.00
Summary
Platelets play an essential role in blood clotting and blod vessel repair. Upon injury to a blood vessel, platelets rapidly adhere to the area of damage where they undergo dramatic changes in their shape and internal structure that facilitates spreading over the area of injury and subsequent formation of a stable blood clot. Our research studies are aimed at understanding more closely the factors that regulate the adhesiveness of platelets, since this is an important determinant not only in norm ....Platelets play an essential role in blood clotting and blod vessel repair. Upon injury to a blood vessel, platelets rapidly adhere to the area of damage where they undergo dramatic changes in their shape and internal structure that facilitates spreading over the area of injury and subsequent formation of a stable blood clot. Our research studies are aimed at understanding more closely the factors that regulate the adhesiveness of platelets, since this is an important determinant not only in normal blood clot formation but also in the development of harmful blood clots (thrombosis) associated with the development of diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Our particular focus is on the interaction between adhesion receptors on the surface of the platelet and components of the intracellular platelet structure referred to as the cytoskeleton and how this interaction might regulate the reactivity of platelets and their ability to adhere to blood vessels. We believe this may be an important mechanism that regulates platelet adhesion and notmal blood clotting.Read moreRead less
The assessment of thrombosis requires the holistic evaluation of in-vivo coagulation including total clot formation. Unfortunately, current tests only evaluate the time to the start of clot formation. Experimental biomarkers such us thrombin generation, endothelial markers, microparticles and microRNA may provide a better framework for evaluating thrombotic risk. Translation of these markers to clinical use requires understanding of their expression in the normal population and assessment of the ....The assessment of thrombosis requires the holistic evaluation of in-vivo coagulation including total clot formation. Unfortunately, current tests only evaluate the time to the start of clot formation. Experimental biomarkers such us thrombin generation, endothelial markers, microparticles and microRNA may provide a better framework for evaluating thrombotic risk. Translation of these markers to clinical use requires understanding of their expression in the normal population and assessment of their ability to detect thrombotic disorders.Read moreRead less
Platelet Receptor Regulation In Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,536.00
Summary
In response to bleeding, blood platelets use receptors to form a thrombus (blood clot) and block further loss of blood and aid tissue repair. People treated with heparin prior to surgery, can form autoantibodies that attack platelets, leading to thombus and thrombocytopenia (dangerous loss of circulating platelets). This is a significant clinical problem that is difficult to diagnose. We will determine how platelet receptor shedding can aid the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.