How enzymes called thiol isomerases help blood clots form
Thiol Isomerases and Oxidant Stress in Thrombus Formation
This project tests whether oxidant-driven changes in thiol isomerase proteins cause blood clots and whether blocking them could reduce thrombosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326715 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, this project is trying to figure out how oxidant-driven changes in a family of proteins called thiol isomerases make clots form in blood vessels. The team will use lab studies in cells and animal models, special chemical probes to track oxidized cysteines, and proteomics to identify which blood and vessel proteins are modified. The group has already used a PDI blocker in a phase II trial in cancer patients and now wants to define the exact biochemical steps that let these enzymes drive clotting. Pinpointing these steps could guide development of new drugs to prevent dangerous clots with fewer bleeding side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had or are at high risk for harmful blood clots—such as cancer-associated thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, or stroke—would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without clotting problems or whose conditions are unrelated to thrombus formation are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets to prevent or treat harmful blood clots more safely.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and an early-phase human trial of a PDI inhibitor have shown promise in reducing thrombosis, but the precise mechanisms remain novel and unresolved.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flaumenhaft, Robert C — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Flaumenhaft, Robert C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.