Characterisation of an in-vivo thrombosis animal model of the antiphospholipid syndrome using Beta 2-GPI KO mice [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Steven Krilis (Principal investigator)

Brief description The antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune condition characterised by the presence of thrombosis and recurrent miscarriage. The disorder is characterised by circulating antibodies which bind a protein in the blood known as Beta 2- Glycoprotein I. This protein has been thought to be important in controlling the clotting system in humans and other mammals. However, the experiments that have been designed to look at the function of this protein have looked at its function in the test tube. The exact role of Beta 2-GPI in the body, has not been determined. A way of looking at the function of this protein in the body would be if you eliminated the protein from an animal such as a mouse. By sophisticated molecular biology techniques we have been able to eliminate the gene for Beta 2-GPI in mice thus deriving mice that do not produce any Beta 2-GPI protein. These mice are called Beta 2-GPI knockout mice and are an ideal animal model to examine the function of Beta 2-GPI. Experiments outlined in this proposal will examine the role of Beta 2-GPI in clotting, atherosclerosis and the effect of production of antibodies to Beta 2-GPI in these animals. In addition, since current treatment of patients that have these antibodies consists of long term, sometimes lifelong, treatment with drugs that thin the blood which have potential side effects, we are investigating a novel treatment approach which is directed at eliminating the antibodies that bind Beta 2-GPI. If one could eliminate the antibody production to Beta 2-GPI by these patients there would not be a need for lifelong treatment with drugs such as heparin which thins the blood and there would thus be a reduction in the problems with these medications. To do this we have obtained a specialised chemically modified portion of Beta 2-GPI that has already been shown to work in preliminary experiments.

Funding Amount $AUD 467,310.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant