Sickle Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited gene defect that causes hemoglobin to clump and deform red blood cells, leading to anemia, hemolysis, and vascular occlusions that affect multiple organs. Moreover, sickle shaped red blood cells stick to blood vessel walls thereby slowing or stopping blood flow and the cells lining the blood vessel walls can abnormally express adhesion molecules or proteins that trigger blood coagulation and inflammation in this patients. Dr. Shet’s research aims to better understand the different factors initiating and propagating venous thrombosis in sickle cell disease. To achieve this, in vitro coagulation assays, flow cytometry, and biochemical assays, as well as animal studies (predominantly murine models of SCD) are used to study the mechanisms of coagulation activation and inflammation in SCD. The laboratory also performs translational research exploring the effect of investigational drugs as modifiers of thrombotic risk in SCD patients and SCD mice.