Posted: May 5, 2022
-Contributed by Abi Kasberg, PhD The immune checkpoint is a vital regulatory component that prevents the immune system from targeting healthy cells or developing autoimmunity. It does so via immunoreceptors that suppress T cell activity in mechanisms that protect normal, healthy cells from destruction. However, prolonged expression of immune checkpoint proteins can lead to T…
Posted: April 11, 2022
-Contributed by Abi Kasberg, PhD Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disease that clinically presents with extended bleeding times following wounds, surgeries, nosebleeds, or during menstruation. VWD affects approximately 0.1% of people and is considered to be the most common bleeding disorder (Keesler and Flood 2017). Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a multimer…
Posted: March 25, 2022
David L. McGlasson, MS, MLS(ASCP) Before reading this blog post, I invite the viewer to read the article by Abi Kasberg, PhD posted August 21, 2021 titled Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Clinical Trials: Targeting the needs left by current treatment options. It’s a great review of current methods to address ADAMTS13 deficiency and discusses the…
Posted: December 17, 2021
THE NEW NOVEL ANTICOAGULANTS XI(a) and XII(a). THE CONTACT FACTOR INHIBITORS: Battling thromboembolism. David L. McGlasson, MS, MLS(ASCP) INTRODUCTION Thromboembolism is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Treatment with anticoagulants is prescribed, but balancing bleeding and clotting has been a challenge. In the 1940s, unfractionated heparin (UFH) became available for use by intravenous or…