Redefining The Pro-thrombotic Mechanism Of Von Willebrand Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$750,005.00
Summary
Blood clotting is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. The blood protein, von Willebrand factor, is a critical player in blood clotting and impairment of its function is life threatening. We have discovered that there are three forms of VWF in human blood that have different functions in blood clotting. Characterisation of these different forms will likely lead to new blood clotting diagnostics and improved therapies.
Blood clotting is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. We have discovered that the protein, ERp5, is essential for normal blood clotting. Our preliminary findings indicate that ERp5 controls the function of blood platelets in clotting. Our overall aim is to elucidate how ERp5 regulates platelet function. It is crucial that we understand how ERp5 functions in blood clotting if we are to effectively target it in disease.