Investigation Of A Novel Role For Factor XIII In Regulating The Adhesive Function Of Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$243,000.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are extremely important for the normal formation of blood clots and for the repair of injured blood vessels. We are studying the processes that allow platelets to stick to the site of vessel injury and to each other to form stable blood clots. If this process proceeds unchecked, harmful blood clots can form which block blood vessels and cause heart attacks and strokes. There are many factors, both inside and outside platelets, which control how bi ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are extremely important for the normal formation of blood clots and for the repair of injured blood vessels. We are studying the processes that allow platelets to stick to the site of vessel injury and to each other to form stable blood clots. If this process proceeds unchecked, harmful blood clots can form which block blood vessels and cause heart attacks and strokes. There are many factors, both inside and outside platelets, which control how big and how fast a blood clot grows and whether it becomes harmful enough to cause a blood vessel blockage. One of these factors is the level of platelet 'stickiness' or 'reactivity'. We are working towards a better understanding of how platelet reactivity is regulated. Specifically, we believe we have identified a new factor which keeps blood clots at a size that is not harmful to cause blood vessel blockade. This information will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease but also may help in the development of new therapies for the prevention of heart attack and stroke.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Mechanotransduction Mechanisms In Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,500.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that stop bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessel walls, forming blood clots. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to sites of vessel wall injury through the interaction between cell surface receptors and sticky materials (proteins) that become exposed to the blood flow when the vessel wall is ....Platelets are extremely important cells that stop bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessel walls, forming blood clots. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to sites of vessel wall injury through the interaction between cell surface receptors and sticky materials (proteins) that become exposed to the blood flow when the vessel wall is damaged. The stickiness of platelets is controlled by many proteins (and-or enzymes) inside these blood cells. These proteins transmit messages from platelet receptors on the surface into the cell interior, thereby controlling platelet behaviour. We are in the process of identifying several types of proteins-enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. The studies proposed in this application will provide better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained may utimately assist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Negative Signalling Mechanisms In Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,500.00
Summary
Platelets are specialised blood cells essential for normal blood clotting. We are studying the processes that control platelets sticking to the exposed vessel wall, to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury to stop bleeding. The same processes, when unchecked, could lead to the formation of harmful large blood clots that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain, resulting in heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall and each ot ....Platelets are specialised blood cells essential for normal blood clotting. We are studying the processes that control platelets sticking to the exposed vessel wall, to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury to stop bleeding. The same processes, when unchecked, could lead to the formation of harmful large blood clots that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain, resulting in heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall and each other through sticky proteins called receptors on the cell surface. Receptors are able to bind to their specific ligands such as von Willebrand factor (vWf) and collagen which become exposed following vessel wall damage. The interaction between the ligands and receptors will trigger many biochemical changes within platelets, called signal transduction, that control platelet stickiness. The aim of this research project is to investigate the signalling processes that are utilised by the major platelet receptor called integrin alpha IIb beta 3. We are particularly interested in identifying the negative signalling process utilised by this receptor to dampen the positive signals required for platelet stickiness, to achieve a balanced clotting process. The identification of these specific signalling pathways will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease, but also help develop potential new therapies for the prevention of heart diseases and strokes.Read moreRead less