Investigation Of Novel Mechanisms Regulating Platelet Reactivity During Haemostasis And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$221,210.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are critical for normal blood clotting and blood vessel repair following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to the site of vessel injury and to each other to form a stable blood clot. These very processes, when unchecked, are responsible for the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Many factors control how big ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are critical for normal blood clotting and blood vessel repair following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to the site of vessel injury and to each other to form a stable blood clot. These very processes, when unchecked, are responsible for the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Many factors control how big and how rapidly a blood clot grows and whether it becomes harmful enough to lead to a heart attack or stroke. One of these factors is the level of platelet 'reactivity' or 'stickiness' . We are working towards a better understanding of how platelet reactivity is regulated and how this dictates the potential of a blood clot to become harmful. This knowledge will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease, but also help in the development of new therapies for the prevention of heart attack and stroke.Read moreRead less
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 Shear-sensitive Signalling Pathways In Human Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adh ....Platelets are extremely important cells that control bleeding by sticking to injured blood vessels to form a blood clot. Excessive clotting can lead to fatal vascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, defects in blood clotting can result in life threatening bleeding problems. Platelets stick to the wall of a blood vessel when receptors on the surface of these cells interact with materials (ligands) that are exposed when the vessel wall is injured. The stickiness or adhesive behaviour of platelets is controlled by many proteins (enzymes) which are contained inside these cells. These enzymes 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 enzymes which are responsible for controlling platelet stickiness. Our research will provide a better understanding of the complicated pathways regulating platelet stickiness and clot formation. The knowledge gained from these studies may ultimately asssist in the design of specific drugs for the prevention and-or treatment of heart attacks and strokes.Read moreRead less