Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia And Thrombosis: Better Understanding Of Pathogenesis And Improving Diagnosis And Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$653,137.00
Summary
Heparin, a widely used drug, can cause an adverse effect which results in a fall of the platelet count and the development of serious thrombosis. This drug complication is mediated by an immune mechanism. This proposal aims to provide a better understanding of the disease mechanism. It also aims to develop a new test that will improve the diagnosis, and to produce a novel drug that will effectively suppress the immune reaction and improve the treatment.
Seminal findings within our laboratory have demonstrated that disturbances of blood flow are an important trigger for blood clot formation, promoting heart attacks and stroke. Our studies have demonstrated that specialised blood cells, termed platelets, respond rapidly to local changes in blood flow in diseased blood vessels. In the present proposal we aim to identify the mechanisms by which platelets sense and respond to blood flow disturbances with the aim of identifying new approaches to prev ....Seminal findings within our laboratory have demonstrated that disturbances of blood flow are an important trigger for blood clot formation, promoting heart attacks and stroke. Our studies have demonstrated that specialised blood cells, termed platelets, respond rapidly to local changes in blood flow in diseased blood vessels. In the present proposal we aim to identify the mechanisms by which platelets sense and respond to blood flow disturbances with the aim of identifying new approaches to prevent disease-causing blood clots.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of A New Approach To Regulate Fibrin Clot Retraction And Arterial Thrombolysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,171.00
Summary
Pathological blood clots are removed in patients by administering clot dissolving drugs (fibrinolytics). However these drugs are quite often ineffective and cause bleeding. We have identified a new platelet-mediated pathway controlling contraction of blood clots, important for clot stability. In this proposal, we will examine the potential for inhibitors of this pathway to loosen blood clots, and facilitate the actions of fibrinolytics to promote clot dissolution.