Understanding how integrin proteins regulate cells that line the blood vessels

The roles of the collagen binding integrins in the regulation of endothelial cell function and behaviour (Ms Emma Hunter)

Supervised by Professor Richard Farndale, the PhD student is investigating the behaviour of endothelial cells that line the inside of a blood vessel. These cells control how leaky a blood vessel is, preventing blood loss but allowing nutrients and waste products to diffuse into and out of tissues. Endothelial cells attach to collagen within the blood vessel wall via proteins on the cell surface called integrins. Understanding how collagen and integrins interact and control endothelial cell behaviour could reveal how they become damaged in heart and circulatory disease. Professor Farndale’s research team will explore how integrins control endothelial cell behaviour using synthetic collagen fragments they make in the lab. In this project, the PhD student will specifically look at how collagen-binding integrins regulate endothelial cell attachment, growth, movement and death. They will investigate which integrins are important to bind to collagen surfaces such as those within the vessel wall. They will also determine how these integrins and collagen fragments control the sprouting of new blood vessels, an important process in heart and blood vessel repair and for restoring blood supply after arteries become blocked. Understanding more about the role of collagen-binding integrins in controlling endothelial cell behaviour may reveal new ways to treat heart and circulatory disease.