Key to blood clotting discovered
07 June 2009
Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism that is key to regulating the way blood clots.
The team from Harvard University, writing in the journal Science, said the finding could help treat people who have blood-clotting disorders.
If blood clots too much, people can develop a potentially fatal thrombosis; too little and they can bleed to death.
UK experts said the research was important and could help develop new treatments for blood disorders.
This discovery should aid the creation of more effective medicines
Professor Jeremy Pearson, British Heart Foundation
A molecular messaging system has to maintain a balance between blood not clotting too much or too little.
The Harvard team identified an area on the von Willebrand factor (VWF) blood-clotting protein which contains a molecular sensor to regulate the size of the protein, important for it to work effectively.
VWF is vital to the body's circulation. It controls the balance between blood clotting and bleeding, and abnormalities affecting VWF can lead to health problems such as bleeding disorders and heart attacks.
Dr Wesley Wong, who worked on the research, said: "The human body has an incredible ability to heal from life's scrapes and bruises.
"A central aspect of this response to damage is the ability to bring bleeding to an end, a process known as haemostasis.
"Yet regulating haemostasis is a complex balancing act."
The team from Harvard University, writing in the journal Science, said the finding could help treat people who have blood-clotting disorders.
If blood clots too much, people can develop a potentially fatal thrombosis; too little and they can bleed to death.
UK experts said the research was important and could help develop new treatments for blood disorders.
This discovery should aid the creation of more effective medicines
Professor Jeremy Pearson, British Heart Foundation
A molecular messaging system has to maintain a balance between blood not clotting too much or too little.
The Harvard team identified an area on the von Willebrand factor (VWF) blood-clotting protein which contains a molecular sensor to regulate the size of the protein, important for it to work effectively.
VWF is vital to the body's circulation. It controls the balance between blood clotting and bleeding, and abnormalities affecting VWF can lead to health problems such as bleeding disorders and heart attacks.
Dr Wesley Wong, who worked on the research, said: "The human body has an incredible ability to heal from life's scrapes and bruises.
"A central aspect of this response to damage is the ability to bring bleeding to an end, a process known as haemostasis.
"Yet regulating haemostasis is a complex balancing act."
source: bbc.co/science & tech.
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