| Grant number: | 11/17553-7 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |
| Effective date (Start): | December 01, 2011 |
| Effective date (End): | January 31, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics |
| Principal Investigator: | Nicola Amanda Conran Zorzetto |
| Grantee: | Vanessa Tonin Garrido |
| Home Institution: | Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia (HEMOCENTRO). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
| Associated research grant: | 08/57441-0 - Clinical, cellular and molecular alterations in hemoglobinopathies and other hereditary hemolytic anemias, AP.TEM |
| Associated scholarship(s): | 12/22043-0 - Evaluation of plasma levels of light and CD40L in sickle cell patients and during sickle cell crisis, BE.EP.DD |
Abstract Sickle Cell Anemia is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy resulting from a mutation of the beta-globin gene, leading to the production of hemoglobin S (HbS). During deoxygenation of erythrocytes, polymerization of Hb occurs, with consequent deformation, stiffening and weakening of red cells, resulting in Hemolytic Anemia, vaso-occlusive events and a chronic inflammatory condition with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. Platelets play an important role in vaso-occlusion processes; once activated they express and secrete mediators that induce an inflammatory response in leukocytes and endothelial cells. The mechanisms that induce the production of inflammatory mediators and the effect of these molecules in the inflammatory response are poorly understood. Therefore, the investigation of the involvement of cytokines derived from sickle platelets, activation of leukocytes and endothelial cells should provide a better indication of the role of platelets and their mediators in the pathophysiology of Sickle Cell Anemia and the vaso-occlusive process. As such, the purpose of this study is to investigate the production of platelet-derived light, the presence of this protein in the plasma of patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and also examine the involvement of light in platelet-mediated activation of endothelial cells and leukocytes. The results of this study are expected to further the understanding of the mechanisms of action of platelets and their inflammatory mediators in the inflammatory process observed in Sickle Cell Anemia. (AU) | |