Characterising CD36 mediated lipotoxicity and metabolic dysfunction in blood platelets
Blood platelets are cells that become sticky and clump together to form blood clots to stop us from bleeding after injury. However, platelets can also form dangerous blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. We know that people at risk of these diseases often have increased levels of fatty acids in their blood. Professor Khalid Naseem and his team have shown that platelets interact with fatty acid. The team has found that fatty acids bind to a molecule present on the outside of platelets called CD36. When this interaction takes place, platelets release chemicals that damage the blood vessels. Now they will further study how fatty acids and CD36 control platelet activity to understand how it damages blood vessels. By uncovering these processes, they hope understand more about how circulatory diseases develop. This might help to identify new therapeutic targets to prevent heart attacks and strokes in the future.
Project details
| Grant amount | £245,177 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 November 2019 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/18/81/34110 |
| Status | In Progress |
