Role of Myeloid Kruppel-like Factor 2 in Vascular Thrombosis

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The application outlines 5 years of mentored research with a formal career development plan under the guidance of Dr. Mukesh Jain, a recognized leader in transcriptional and vascular biology. The applicant, Dr. Lalitha Nayak, a clinical scientist with special interest in hemostasis and thrombosis will also be mentored by an Advisory Committee composed of highly successful, NIH-funded physician scientists at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) with expertise in her area of research. Although Kruppel-like zinc finger transcription factors play an important role in vascular and hematopoietic cell biology, the role of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in regulating thrombotic process in vivo is not defined. Nascent observations by the applicant suggest a critical role for myeloid KLF2 in vascular thrombosis. Utilizing a combination of murine models and molecular/cellular approaches, Dr. Nayak will study the role of myeloid transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in the molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions involved in the dynamic process of thrombosis, a major cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Further, Dr. Nayak will extend the studies to examine the antithrombotic effects noted with the widely used anti-myeloma agent, proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib. The specific aims of the proposal include: 1. To investigate the effect of altering myeloid KLF2 on thrombosis: We will use myeloid-specific KLF2 knockout and overexpression mouse lines to conduct vascular thrombosis and examine intercellular interactions during the thrombotic process. 2. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in KLF2's ability to regulate thrombosis: We will employ molecular approaches to elucidate the mechanistic basis of KLF2's ability to alter myeloid pro-thrombotic activity 3. To determine the importance of KLF2 for the antithrombotic effects noted with Bortezomib: We will examine the antithrombotic effect of Bortezomib in myeloid-KLF2 knockout mice to determine the dependency of Bortezomib on KLF2 to produce its antithrombotic effect. This plan is ideally carried out in the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI) at Case Western Reserve University with its distinguished record for training physician-scientists in a rich and collaborative environment. The mentored K08 award will directly advance her scientific development by protecting her effort toward her research project and career development plan. In addition, the career development goal of this project is to help Dr. Nayak transition into an independent investigator with her own laboratory and R01 funding.