Regulating Platelet Thrombus Formation By Inhibitory Co-receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$441,000.00
Summary
Platelets are a specialised adhesive cell essential for normal blood clotting. Following induction of blood vessel injury, platelets stick to sites of injury and activation mediate platelet spreading, aggregation and stable blood clot formation. Platelet adhesion to components of the blood vessel in flowing blood is central to blood clot formation. We are studying the role of inhibitory receptors that regulate the platelet adhesion phase on the blood vessel surface. We have knockout mice that la ....Platelets are a specialised adhesive cell essential for normal blood clotting. Following induction of blood vessel injury, platelets stick to sites of injury and activation mediate platelet spreading, aggregation and stable blood clot formation. Platelet adhesion to components of the blood vessel in flowing blood is central to blood clot formation. We are studying the role of inhibitory receptors that regulate the platelet adhesion phase on the blood vessel surface. We have knockout mice that lack a specific protein, Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1) that we can use to study its functional role in blood clot models. We are developing transgenic mice to examine the important structural domains in PECAM-1 that lead to regulation of blood clots. The knowledge gained from this work will help to improve our understanding of the regulatory processes which influence the formation of a stable blood clot. This information is relevant to many human diseases including heart attack and stroke.Read moreRead less
Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-like Receptors Regulate The Function Of The Major Cells Involved In Allergic Inflammation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,250.00
Summary
An important aspect of the immune system is its ability to maintain a delicate equilibrium between the extremes of reactivity and quiescence. A break in this equilibrium can lead to unchecked activation of immune cells or inability of these cells to mount an effective defence. Potential outcomes of the unchecked activation of cells are autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergic diseases such as asthma. A new family of cell surface proteins termed leukocyte immunoglobulin-like r ....An important aspect of the immune system is its ability to maintain a delicate equilibrium between the extremes of reactivity and quiescence. A break in this equilibrium can lead to unchecked activation of immune cells or inability of these cells to mount an effective defence. Potential outcomes of the unchecked activation of cells are autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergic diseases such as asthma. A new family of cell surface proteins termed leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIRs) has been shown to regulate immune cells by either increasing or decreasing their activity. In this project we will study the role of LIRs in regulating the activity of the major cells involved in allergy and asthma. This study would provide important insights to mechanism(s) of regulation of immune cell activation during protective immune responses such as the fight against infections and cancers and during pathological inflammations such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Understanding the role of the LIRs in the regulation of immune cell activation might lead to new therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the balance between the inhibitory and activating LIRs.Read moreRead less
We discovered, characterised and commercialised Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15) for human therapy. Its blood level predicts death from cancer, heart attack/stroke and other diseases. This study will add important information for understandg the actions of this important protein