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Project

The role of PEAR1 (Platelet Endothelial Aggregation Receptor1) for endothelial cell.

The aim of this project is to unravel the function of PEAR1 (Platelet Endothelial Aggregation Receptor1) in the endothelial cell and its role in the (patho)physiology of endothelial cell activation. Endothelial dysfunction is an important hallmark of both the early and the late stages of cardiovascular disease. The receptor-ligand interactions and the signalling pathways in the activated endothelium are incompletely understood. PEAR1 was identified in 2005, but it’s role in endothelial and platelet biology was yet unknown4. Whereas platelet PEAR1 appears to be involved in the activation of platelets, the function of endothelial PEAR1 is completely unknown and has not been studied yet. The expression of PEAR1 in endothelial cells has already been confirmed in the host laboratory. Using endothelial cell cultures and cell perfusion studies, the role of PEAR1 in endothelial cells will be investigated. Does PEAR1 play a role in the regulation of the inflammatory responses or the haemostatic and anticoagulant function of the endothelium? Does PEAR1 contribute to plateletleukocyte- endothelium interactions? What is the effect of eliminating the expression of PEAR1? Are PEAR1 polymorphisms of relevance to ischemic cardiovascular disease? Collectively, these studies should provide a molecular basis for the action of PEAR1 in the endothelium and for its importance in cardiovascular pathology.

Date:1 Oct 2011 →  18 Nov 2015
Keywords:Ischemic cardiovascular disease, Endothelial dysfunction, PEAR1 (Platelet Endothelial Aggregation
Disciplines:Cardiac and vascular medicine
Project type:PhD project