Are formyl peptide receptors involved in abnormal blood clotting?

Investigation of the functions of formyl peptide receptors in the regulation of thrombosis and haemostasis in pathophysiological conditions

Dr Sakthivel Vaiyapuri and his colleagues at the University of Reading are studying proteins called formyl peptide receptors (FPRs), which are found in small cells in the blood called platelets. Dr Vaiyapuri hopes to find out if targeting these proteins could prevent harmful blood clots from forming. Platelets prevent excessive bleeding after injury by forming clots. But in disease they become activated and form clots inside blood vessels, which can restrict the blood supply to the heart and brain and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Although current anti-platelet drugs help save lives, they can have side effects such as excessive bleeding, and do not work in everyone. As a result, we need to develop safer and more effective therapies. Dr Vaiyapuri has discovered that molecules released by bacteria, called formyl peptides, activate FPRs on the surface of immune cells, boosting the immune response against infection. Formyl peptides also seem to activate platelets and cause clots to form by attaching to FPR1 on the platelet. In this project, Dr Vaiyapuri and his team will determine the importance of FPRs in the control of platelet function and blood clotting. By better understanding blood clotting in health and disease, this research could reveal new ways to treat harmful blood clotting by targeting FPRs. Severe infection can result in uncontrolled blood clotting and Dr Vaiyapuri’s work could reveal more about the link between infection and abnormal blood clotting.