Antilock brake system in arteries protects against heart attack
(PHYSorg.com Chemistry)

Tübingen biochemists have discovered a natural mechanism of the body that can reduce the formation of dangerous blood clots, also known as thrombosis. So far, this antiblocking system has mainly been studied in mouse arteries. Initial studies with human cells have confirmed the results suggesting that this protective mechanism is highly likely to exist in humans as well. Thrombosis is a leading cause of death worldwide because it can block blood vessels causing heart attack or stroke. The newly discovered mechanism could help to improve therapeutic treatments. The study was conducted by a team of researchers including Dr. Lai Wen and Professor Robert Feil from the Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry of the University of Tübingen in collaboration with the University Hospital Tübingen and the Universities of Lübeck and Würzburg. Their results have now been published in the journal Nature Communications.