Two papers featuring the results of research conducted in the laboratory of X. Long Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., related to the pathogenesis and novel therapeutics for immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) are published recently.
The first, "Clinical Factors and Biomarkers Predicting Outcome in Patients with Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura" was featured in Haematologica, the journal of the European Haematology Association, online on August 23, 2018. Elizabeth Staley, M.D., Ph.D., Hemostasis Fellow of pathology, was first author on the paper, along with colleagues Wenjing Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Instructor, Pathology; Nicole Kocher, Researcher, TTP Lab; Lucy Zheng, senior of Indian Springs School, Huy Pham, M.D., M.P.H., and Robin Lorenz, M.D., Ph.D., former Assistant Professor and Professor of Pathology, respectively, Lance Williams, Associate Professor of Pathology, Marisa Marques, Ph.D., Professor, and X. Long Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Division Director, Laboratory Medicine.
The second, "Transfusion of platelets loaded with recombinant ADAMTS13 is efficacious for inhibiting arterial thrombosis in mice and in human," was published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology (ATVB), on September 13, 2018. First author Mohammed Abdelgawwad, M.D., Ph.D., a graduate student of pathobiology theme at UAB. Other contributors include Wenjing Cao, M.D., Ph.D., Nicole Kocher, B.S., Lance Williams, M.D., Liang Zheng, Ph.D. and X. Long Zheng, M.D., Ph.D.The findings suggest that transfusion of recombinant ADAMTS13-loaded platelets may be a novel and potentially effective therapeutic approach for arterial thrombosis, including congenital and immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Haematologica and ATVB are top journals in the field of Hematology, with an impact factor of 9.09 and 6.6, respectively.
The Zheng Lab is interested in understanding the biological mechanisms of iTTP, which is caused by a deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13, the enzyme responsible for cleaving von Willebrand factor (VWF). Dr. Zheng was among the first group of investigators who discovered and cloned the ADAMTS13 enzyme. The Zheng Lab has made many seminal contributions to the understanding of the structure-function relationship and regulation of ADAMTS13, by working to develop novel tools for the diagnosis and treatment of TTP.
Each year the Zheng Lab hosts the TTP Fair and Education Day, an event designed to create a conversation and a community between those affected by the disorder and the physicians and researchers who are working to improve the available treatments, outcomes, and recovery time. Visit the event website to learn more.