Projects
Investigating the interplay between von Willebrand factor, platelets, and neutrophil extracellular traps in pathologies involving thrombosis of the microvasculature KU Leuven
White blood cells are essential for fighting infection using specific killing mechanisms. However, when these processes get activated in the absence of infection, this can cause disease. Similarly, von Willebrand factor (VWF), which serves as a sort of glue during blood clotting by sticking platelets (small blood cells) to damaged blood vessels, can also lead to disease when it gets released without injury. One of the ways that white blood ...
Towards long-term correction of severe von Willebrand disease via non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon gene therapy. KU Leuven
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, caused by defects in the von Willebrand factor (VWF). Under normal conditions, this factor is present in blood where it functions as a ‘glue’ that sticks blood cells (platelets) to damaged blood vessels, thereby preventing excessive blood loss. For the most severely affected patients (complete absence of VWF), there is currently only one single treatment option: ...
Endothelium-targeted gene therapy for von Willebrand disease using a hybrid adeno-transposon strategy KU Leuven
Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in man and is caused by defects in the von Willebrand factor (VWF). Under normal conditions, this factor is present in blood where it functions as a ‘glue’ that sticks blood cells (platelets) to damaged blood vessels, thereby preventing excessive blood loss. For the most severely affected patients (complete absence of VWF), there is currently only one single treatment ...
Fibrinolysis and proteolysis in bacterial spread and tissue destruction. KU Leuven
In this PhD project, we have studied the role of the host hemostatic system and its manipulation by S. aureus in the outcome of S. aureus infections.
It has long been known that most S. aureus strains produce staphylokinase. We have shown that staphylokinase-mediated fibrinolytic and proteolytic activity permit the local invasion of S. aureus in skin and soft tissue through degradation of fibrin and ...
Towards a novel therapy to treat bleeding after left ventricular assist device implantation in patients with heart failure. KU Leuven
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are successfully used to treat patients waiting for a donor heart or as an alternative for heart transplantation. LVADs are mechanical circulatory support devices, which pump blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. Although LVAD implantation improves the quality of life of advanced stage heart failure patients, bleeding complications are a serious side effect. Indeed, gastrointestinal bleeding is ...
Allosteric ADAMTS13 activation: elucidating long-range structural crosstalk bringing the enzyme in a preactivated state KU Leuven
ADAMTS13 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) provide a fascinating interplay to control bleeding and thrombosis. ADAMTS13 proteolyzes VWF to regulate its activity and prevent spontaneous microthrombi formation, whereas the devastating thrombotic disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, emerges from absent ADAMTS13 activity. Since both proteins circulate in folded, inactive forms, allosteric activation is required for VWF cleavage by ...