Cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with numbers on the rise. It is a serious complication of a number of disease states, including sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited autosomal recessive disorder, resulting from a single amino acid substitution in the haemoglobin β chain. Upon deoxygenation, the haemoglobin β chain polymerizes, causing the characteristic crescent-shaped (sickled) red blood cells (RBCs), rendering RBCs prone to haemolysis, leading to the release of cell-free haemoglobin and heme in the circulation, where they catalyse the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and cell injury.1,2 The loss of deformability of sickled RBCs and their ability to interact with the vascular endothelium results in the major clinical hallmarks of SCD: haemolytic anaemia, vascular endothelial dysfunction and vaso-occlusion. These hallmarks all contribute to the increased risk for ischemic injury in SCD. However, the underlying pathways promoting the procoagulant and prothrombotic phenotype responsible for the recurring ischemic injuries in SCD (especially in the brain) are still unknown. We have shown that the causes for the prothrombotic SCD phenotype may relate to a well-established link between thrombosis and inflammation in that systemic inflammation can beget local thrombosis, and thrombosis can amplify inflammation.3,4
Although the molecular origin of SCD in the haemoglobin β chain of RBCs is clear, the mechanisms that contribute to the complex systemic manifestation and severe outcome of the disease have not been fully elucidated. Moreover, the underlying pathways promoting the procoagulant and prothrombotic phenotype responsible for the recurring ischemic injuries in SCD (especially in the brain) are still unknown. This PhD project will build on the solid foundation of our previous findings focussing on accelerated cerebral microvascular thrombosis associated with SCD,3,4 to further investigate and understand the fundamental role of neutrophils and platelets in the thrombo-inflammatory phenotype associated with SCD. In addition, data generated here will help to identify potential novel disease biomarkers for future clinical trials, providing both mechanism of action and proof of efficacy in accepted and validated in models relevant to the clinical condition.
Training/techniques to be provided
The student will be trained in several in vivo skills including animal handling and maintenance, animal anaesthesia and surgical models. The candidate will be trained using novel in vivo imaging techniques such as intravital microscopy and IVIS. The student will be trained in a number of in vitro methodologies which may include histology, immunohistology, electron microscopy, immune cell functional assays (e.g. chemotaxis, transmigration, granule release assays, NETosis), molecular biology, flow cytometry and flow chamber systems. The candidate may also be working with clinical samples to help answer the scientific questions and to translate in vivo findings to the clinic. The student will have the opportunity to collaborate and work with a number of groups based both in the UK and globally.
This PhD project will be supervised by Professor Felicity Gavins. If you are interested in applying for this PhD project or if you prefer a one-year MPhil on a similar topic, contact Professor Gavins to discuss your interest and discover whether if you would be suitable.
Entry Requirements
Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area / subject (e.g. physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences). Candidates with experience in in-vivo pharmacology and immune-histochemistry are encouraged to apply. The duration of this PhD project is three years.
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