Do mast cells worsen deep vein thrombosis?

The role of mast cells in deep vein thrombosis

Mast cells form an important part of our immune system, but may worsen or play a part in the onset of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT*). In DVT, mast cells appear to cause the blood vessel lining endothelial cells to encourage the formation of clots. Dr Alexander Brill from the University of Birmingham has been awarded a 3-year grant totalling £223,000 to look into the role of mast cells in DVT. Dr Brill’s previous research has shown that mice lacking mast cells had complete protection from DVT and less clot-forming activity by the endothelial cells. He is looking to build on this important early work, characterising further the role of mast cells in the development of DVT in mice. *DVT – where blood clots block blood flow in veins – can be catastrophic and life-threatening. Current ways to prevent or treat DVT can have unwanted side effects such as bleeding and so a complication-free approach is needed. Medicines that target the mast cells in patients with DVT could one day offer an effective and safe approach to tackling these blood clots.