| Grant number: | 17/11601-6 |
| Support type: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct) |
| Effective date (Start): | July 01, 2017 |
| Effective date (End): | November 30, 2020 |
| Field of knowledge: | Health Sciences - Medicine |
| Principal Investigator: | Nicola Amanda Conran Zorzetto |
| Grantee: | Fernanda Camila Zauli Fabris |
| Home Institution: | Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia (HEMOCENTRO). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
| Associated research grant: | 14/00984-3 - Red blood cell disorders: pathophysiology and new therapeutic approaches, AP.TEM |
Abstract Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is characterized by a single mutation in the ²-globin gene, resulting in abnormal hemoglobin (HbS), which polymerizes under low oxygen concentrations. In situations of low oxygen concentrations, hemoglobin polymerizes and red blood cells assume an elongated sickle-like shape, in an event known as sickling. Angiogenesis is the process of vessel formation from pre-existing vessels. There is evidence that platelets serve as reservoirs of angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factors. SCD patients, in general, exhibit high levels of angiogenic factors, indicating a pro-angiogenic status in these subjects and preliminary studies show that platelets from SCD patients circulate in an activated state in the bloodstream. Thus, the objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of platelets from SCD patients on the different stages of angiogenesis, namely proliferation, apoptosis, migration and formation of capillary like structures, using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). Additionally, a possible role for platelets in neovascularization in vivo will be studied, using matrigel plug experiments in sickle-cell mice. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role of platelets in the angiogenic process in SCD, thus contributing to a better understanding of angiogenesis and its implications for SCD. (AU) | |