Role of coagulation factor XIII in fibrin clot structure and thrombosis

血管内的血栓形成是心脏病发作、中风和深静脉血栓形成的主要原因。这种凝块是由一种名为纤维蛋白的蛋白质组成的，这种蛋白质通过一种名为转谷氨酰胺酶(XIII)的酶进行交联。XIII因子在血栓结构和血栓形成中的作用尚不清楚。我们的研究旨在利用血栓形成的模型系统、工程蛋白和体内模型来发现血栓是如何受到XIII因子的调节的。这项研究将有助于更好地了解凝块稳定性的过程，并在未来有助于设计新的抗凝药物。

Clot formation within a blood vessel is the predominant cause of heart attacks, stroke and deep vein thrombosis. The clot is composed of a protein called fibrin which undergoes cross-linking by an enzyme called transglutaminase (factor XIII). The role of factor XIII in clot structure and thrombosis is not well understood. Our research is aimed at discovering how the thrombus is modulated by factor XIII, using model systems of clot formation, engineered proteins and in vivo models. This study will develop better understanding of processes involved in clot stability and in the future will help to design new anti-clotting drugs.