In his doctoral thesis, Eric Litjens argues that the protein integrin aIIbß3 is involved in the very earliest stage of coagulation, when blood platelets become attached to the vascular wall.
Integrin aIIbß3 binds to the Von Willebrand factor, which plays a key role in blood coagulation. This suggests that integrin aIIbß3 is involved in the initial contacts between vascular wall and blood platelet. Because it can still break free, the binding of the protein to the Von Willebrand factor is not permanent. As a result, Litjens believes it will be possible to target integrin aIIbß3 in the future with drugs that affect coagulation.
In a wound, blood platelet coagulation results in closing the hole in the vascular wall. Risk factors like smoking or a high cholesterol level increase the risk that coagulation happens spontaneously. The blockage of arteries resulting from this can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
Lintjes was awarded a PhD from Utrecht University on September 20. His thesis is called 'Integrin aIIbß3 regulation in platelets'.