Investigate the Role of Ectoenzymes in Regulating the Haemostatic Function of Human Platelets

血小板是在血液中发现的细胞，对于受伤后止血是必不可少的。这些细胞附着在血管壁上，形成血栓，堵塞受损的血管。类似的过程涉及有害血液凝块的形成，这些血栓阻塞心脏或大脑中的血管，分别导致心脏病发作和中风。血小板通过一种名为受体的蛋白质附着在血管壁上，受体位于血小板表面。我们正在研究自然调节这些受体的过程，从而调节血小板的粘附性。我们发现，一组同样位于血小板表面的酶可以移除这些受体，从而限制这些细胞附着在血管上形成血栓的能力。解开这些过程不仅有助于我们了解血栓在健康和疾病中的形成，也有助于潜在地开发预防心脏病和中风的新疗法。

Platelets are cells found in the blood that are essential for stopping bleeding after injury. These cells stick to the blood vessel wall and initiate the formation of a blood clot which plugs the injured blood vessel. Similiar processes are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots that block blood vessels in the heart or brain, causing heart attacks and stroks, respectively. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through proteins called receptors, which are located on the platelet surface. We are investigating the processes that naturally regulate these receptors and therefore modulate the adhesive properties of platelets. We have found that a group of enzymes, also located on the platelet surface, remove these receptors, thereby limiting the ability of these cells to stick to blood vessels and form clots. Unravelling these processes will not only help with our understanding of clot formation in health and disease, but also with the potential development of new therapies for the prevention of heart disease and stroke.