Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Group

Research Overview

Our group pursues a broad range of projects that have the common focus of improving diagnosis and therapy of thrombotic and inflammatory diseases such as myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. A range of biotechnological methods are used, including recombinant protein design/production, generation of functionalised nanoparticles/lipsomes/microbubbles, cell culture, flow cytometry, flow chamber, microfluidics, intravital microscopy, ultrasound, MRI, PET, various fluorescence imaging systems and various animal models of thrombosis, atherosclerosis and inflammation.
Most recently, we have extended our research based on the successful application of our biotechnological tools for the targeting of activated platelets towards diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and cancer.
All of these projects have a strong translational orientation, which is facilitated by several laboratory members (physicians/cardiologists/haematologists) treating patients with cardiovascular and haematological diseases as well as cancer. Several of the research projects resulted in patents that are currently being further translated to ultimately improve the health of patients.

Work in the laboratory is particularly attractive for students and postdoctoral researchers who are interested in the development of advanced biotechnological tools for molecular imaging and novel therapeutics (e.g. nanoparticles and anti-inflammatory drugs for plaque stabilisation). The translational direction of the laboratory and the inclusion of patients in studies is highly attractive for physician scientists.

Research focus

  • Molecular imaging of thrombosis and inflammation using MRI, PET, ultrasound, FLECT, IVIS.
  • Novel recombinant therapeutics for thrombotic and inflammatory diseases.
  • Microfluidic flow chambers.
  • Intravital microscopy.
  • Flow cytometry.
  • Animal models of thrombosis and inflammation.
  • Production of recombinant proteins for diagnosis and therapy.
  • Diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction

Staff

Professor Karlheinz Peter & Dr Xiaowei Wang, Lab Heads
Dr Laura Bienvenu, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Yung-Chih (Ben) Chen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr James McFadyen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Jonathan Noonan, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Ilvana Ziko, Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Smriti Krishna, Postdoctoral Researcher
Ms Viktoria Rose Bongcaron, Research Assistant
Ms Prerna Sharma, Research Assistant
Ms Angela Huang, Research Assistant
Dr Himawan Fernando, PhD student
Dr Hannah Stevens, PhD student
Ms Najma Fithri, PhD student
Ms Julia Loseff-Silver, PhD student

Collaborators

Dr Sara Baratchi, Lab Head, RMIT
Prof Alex Bobik, Lab Head, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
Prof Harshal Nandurkar, Head of Haemtology, Alfred Hospital and Head of the Australian Centre of Blood Diseases
Prof Michael Parker, Lab Head and Director, Bio21
Prof Steffen Eisenhardt, Deputy Director and Lab Head, Plastic Surgery, University of Freiburg, Germany
Prof Elliot Chaikof, Surgeon-in-Chief, Chairman of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
Prof Mark Hulett, Head of the Department of Biochemisty and Genetics, La Trobe University
Dr Jacquie Orian, Lab Head, La Trobe University
Prof Philipp Diehl, Lab Head and Cardiology Consultant, University of Freiburg, Germany
Prof Constantin von zur Muehlen, Deputy Director, Department of Cardiology, University of Freiburg, Germany
A/Prof Dennis Wolf, Lab Head and Cardiology Consultant, University of Freiburg, Germany
Dr Nghia Truong, Researcher, Monash Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Prof Andreas Zirlik, Director of Cardiology, University of Graz, Germany

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
National Heart Foundation
Philantropic and commercial funding

Research Outcomes

Publications

O'Toole TE, Katagiri Y, Faull R, Peter K, Tamura R, Quaranta V, Loftus J, Shattil S, Ginsberg M. Integrin cytoplasmic domains mediate inside-out signal transduction. Journal of Cell Biology 1994; 124: 1047-59.

Peter K, O’Toole TE. Modulation of cell adhesion by changes in αLβ2 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18) cytoplasmic domain/cytoskeleton interaction. The Journal of Experimental Medicine 1995; 181: 315-26.

Peter K, Bode C. A deletion in the α subunit locks platelet integrin αIIbß3 into a high affinity state.

Blood, Coagulation and Fibrinolysis 1996; 7: 233-6.

Bode C, Nordt TK, Peter K, Smalling RW, Runge MS, Kübler W. Patency trials with reteplase (r-PA): what do they tell us? The American Journal of Cardiology 1996; 78: 16-9.

Peter K, Nawroth P, Conradt C, Nordt T, Weiss T, Boehme M, Wunsch A, Allenberg JR, Kübler W, Bode C. Circulating VCAM-1 correlates with the extent of human atherosclerosis, in contrast to circulating ICAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, and thrombomodulin. Arteriosclerosis and Vascular Biology 1997; 17: 505-12.

Nordt T, Kornas K, Peter K, Fujii S, Sobel BE, Kübler W, Bode C. Attenuation by gemfibrozil of expression of plasminogen activator type-1 induced by insulin or its precursors. Circulation 1997; 95: 677-83.

Peter K, Nordt T, Bode C. Construction of an activated, high affinity GP IIb/IIIa (αIIbβ3) integrin receptor and its use for the determination of the role of affinity and cytoskeletal anchorage in cell adhesion, cell migration and fibronectin matrix assembly. Fibrinolyis and Proteolysis 1997; 11: 193-6.

Peter K, Schwarz M, Ylänne J, Kohler B, Moser M, Nordt T, Salbach P, Kübler W, Bode C. Induction of fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation as a potential intrinsic property of various GP IIb/IIIa (αIIbβ3) inhibitors. Blood 1998; 92: 3240-9.

Nordt T, Moser M, Kohler B, Ruef J, Peter K, Kübler W, Bode C. Augmented platelet aggregation as predictor of reocclusion after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 1998; 80: 881-6.

Gries A, Bode C, Peter K, Herr A, Böhrer H, Motsch J, Martin E. Inhaled nitric oxide inhibits human platelet aggregation, P-selectin expression, and fibrinogen binding to human platelets in vitro and in vivo. Circulation 1998; 97: 1481-7.

Gries A, Bode C, Gross S, Peter K, Böhrer H, Martin E. The effect of intravenously administered magnesium on platelet function in patients after cardiac surgery. Anesthesia and Analgesia 1999; 88: 1213-9.

Peter K, Straub A, Kohler B, Volkmann M, Schwarz M, Kübler W, Bode C. Platelet activation as a potential mechanism of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor-induced thrombocytopenia. American Journal of Cardiology 1999; 84: 519-24.

Moser M, Nordt T, Peter K, Kohler B, Ruef J, Kübler W, Bode C. Platelet function during and after thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction with reteplase, alteplase or streptokinase.

Circulation 1999; 100: 1858-64.

Kääpa A, Peter K, Ylänne J. Effects of mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of the integrin β1 to talin binding and cell spreading. Experimental Cell Research 1999; 250: 524-34.

Peter K, Schwarz M, Conradt C, Nordt T, Moser M, Kübler W, Bode C. Heparin inhibits ligand binding to the leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). Circulation 1999; 100: 1533-9.

Ruef J, Nordt T, Peter K, Runge M, Kübler W, Bode C. A bispecific antifibrin-antiplatelet urokinase conjugate (BAAUC) induces enhanced clot lysis and inhibits platelet aggregation. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 1999; 82: 109-14.

Peter K, Kohler B, Straub A, Ruef J, Moser M, Nordt T, Olschewski M, Ohman ME, Kübler W, Bode C. Flow cytometric monitoring of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa blockade and platelet function in patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving reteplase, abciximab, and ticlopidine: continuous platelet inhibition by the combination of abciximab and ticlopidine. Circulation 2000; 102: 1490-6.

Nordt T, Peter K, Bode C, Sobel BE. Differential regulation by troglitazone of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in human hepatic and vascular cells. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2000; 85: 1563-8.

Peter K, Gräber J, Kipriyanov S, Welschof M, Runge M, Kübler W, Little M, Bode C. Construction and functional evaluation of a single-chain antibody fusion protein with fibrin targeting and thrombin inhibition after activation by factor Xa. Circulation 2000; 101: 1158-64.

Peter K, Schwarz M, Nordt T, Bode C. Intrinsic activating properties of GP IIb/IIIa blockers.

Thrombosis Research 2001; 103: S21-27.

Nordt T, Lutzi S, Ruef J, Peter K, Klar E, Kübler W, Sobel BE, Bode C. Attenuation by fibrates of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 expression in human arterial smooth muscle cells. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2001; 86: 1305-13.

Moser M, Ruef J, Peter K, Kohler B, Gulba D, Paterna N, Nordt T, Kübler W, Bode C. Ecarin clotting time but not aPTT correlates with PEG-hirudin plasma activity. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis 2001; 12: 165-9.

Jacobin MJ, Laroche-Traineau J, Little M, Keller A, Peter K, Welschof M, Nurden A, Clofent-Sanchez G. Human IgG monoclonal anti-alpha(IIb)beta(3)-binding fragments derived from immunized donors using phage display. Journal of Immunology 2002; 168: 2035-45.

Schwarz M, Nordt T, Bode C, Peter K. The GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor abciximab (c7E3) inhibits the binding of various ligands to the leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18, M2). Thrombosis Research 2002; 107: 121-8.

Bertram U, Moser M, Peter K, Kuecherer HF, Bekeredjian R, Straub A, Nordt TK, Bode C, Ruef J. Effects of different thrombolytic treatment regimen with abciximab and tirofiban on platelet aggregation and platelet-leukocyte interactions: a subgroup analysis from the GUSTO V and FASTER trials. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis 2002; 14: 197-203.

Nordt TK, Eschenfelder E, Peter K, Sobel BE, Bode C. Independence of growth factor induced plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) expression from the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2003; 90: 36-42.

Jacobin MJ, Robert R, Pouns O, Laroche-Traineau J, Nurden A, Peter K, Little M, Clofent- Sanchez G. Improving selection of αIIbβ3-binding phage antibodies with increased reactivity derived from immunized donors. Clinical Immunology 2003; 108: 199-210.

Peter K, Gupta A, Nordt T, Bauer S, Runge MS, Bode C. Construction and in vitro testing of a novel fab-hirudin-based fusion protein that targets fibrin and inhibits thrombin in a factor Xa-dependent manner. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2003; 42: 237-44.

Schuler P, Assefa D, Ylanne J, Bassler N, Ahrens I, Nordt T, Bode C, Peter K. Adhesion of monocytes to medical steel as used for vascular stents is mediated by the integrin receptor Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18; alphaM beta2) and can be inhibited by semiconductor coating. Cell Communication and Adhesion 2003; 10: 17-26.

Moser M, Bertram U, Peter K, Bode C, Ruef J. Abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban exhibit dose-dependent potencies to dissolve platelet aggregates. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2003; 41: 456-92.

Schwarz M, Katagiri Y, Kotani M, Bassler N, Loeffler C, Bode C, Peter K. Reversibility versus persistence of GPIIb/IIIa blocker-induced conformational change of GPIIb/IIIa (IIb3, CD41/CD61). Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2004; 308: 1002–11.

Hagemeyer C, Tomic I, Weirich U, Graeber J, Nordt T, Runge MS, Bode C, Peter K. Construction and characterization of a recombinant plasminogen activator composed of an anti-fibrin single-chain antibody and low molecular weight urokinase. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2004; 2: 597-603.

Grotz W, Siebig S, Olschewski M, Strey C, Peter K. Low-dose aspirin therapy is associated with improved allograft function and prolonged allograft survival after kidney transplantation. Transplantation 2004; 77: 1848-53.

Hagemeyer C, Tomic I, Jaminet P, Weirich U, Bassler N, Schwarz M, Runge MS, Bode C,

Peter K. Fibrin-targeted direct factor Xa inhibition: construction and characterization of a recombinant factor Xa inhibitor composed of an anti-fibrin single-chain antibody and tick anticoagulant peptide. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2004; 92: 47-53.

Kanse SM, Matz-Westphal R, Preissner KT, Peter K. Promotion of leukocyte adhesion by a novel interaction between vitronectin and the 2 integrin Mac-1 (M2, CD11b/CD18). Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2004; 24: 2251-6.

Schwarz M, Röttgen P, Takada Y, Le Gall F, Knackmuss S, Bassler N, Büttner C, Little M, Bode C, Peter K. Single-chain antibodies for the conformation-specific blockade of activated platelet integrin IIb3 designed by subtractive selection from naïve human phage libraries. FASEB Journal 2004; 18: 1704-6.

Peter K, Ahrens I, Schwarz M, Bode C, Ylanne J. Distinct roles of ligand affinity and cytoskeletal anchorage in IIb3 (GP IIb/IIIa)- mediated cell aggregation and adhesion. Platelets 2004; 15: 427-38.

Huber R, Nauck M, Basler N, Haas B, Mattern M, Luedtke R, Peter K. Effects of subtotal fasting on inflammatory status, plasmatic coagulation, fibrinolytic status and platelet activation: a controlled pilot study in healthy subjects. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 2005; 15: 212-8.

Ahrens I, Moran N, Aylward K, Meade G, Moser M, Assefa D, Fitzgerald D, Bode C,

Peter K. Evidence for a differential functional regulation of the two beta(3)-integrins alpha(V)beta(3) and alpha(IIb)beta(3). Experimental Cell Research 2006; 312: 925-37.

Schwarz M, Meade G, Stoll P, Ylanne J, Bassler N, Chen YC, Hagemeyer CE, Ahrens I, Moran N, Kenny D, Fitzgerald D, Bode C, Peter K. Conformation-specific blockade of the integrin GPIIb/IIIa: a novel antiplatelet strategy that selectively targets activated platelets.

Circulation Research 2006; 99: 25-33.

von zur Muehlen C, Peter K, Speer J, Beyersdorf F, Pache G, Bode C, Handke M.  Evidence of a steel phenomenon by a thoracic side branch of an internal mammary artery bypass. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 2006; 10: 1714-5.

von zur Muehlen C, von Elverfeldt D, Bassler N, Neudorfer I, Steitz B, Petri-Fink B, Hofmann H, Bode C, Peter K. Superparamagnetic iron oxide binding and uptake as imaged by magnetic resonance is mediated by the integrin receptor Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18): implications on imaging of atherosclerotic plaques. Atherosclerosis 2007; 193: 102-11.

Bassler N, Loeffler C, Mangin P, Yuan Y, Schwarz M, Hagemeyer CE, Eisenhardt SU, Ahrens I, Bode C, Jackson SP, Peter K. A mechanistic model for paradoxical platelet activation by ligand-mimetic alphaIIb beta3 (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonists. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2007; 3: 9-15.

Eisenhardt SU, Schwarz M, Schallner N, Soosairajah J, Bassler N, Huang D, Bode C,

Peter K. Generation of activation-specific human anti-alphaM/beta2 single-chain antibodies as potential diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents. Blood 2007; 109: 3521-8.

Straub A, Breuer M, Wendel HP, Peter K, Dietz K, Ziemer G. Critical temperature ranges of hypothermia-induced platelet activation: possible implications for cooling patients in cardiac surgery? Thrombosis and Hemostasis 2007; 97: 608-16.

Stoll P, Bassler N, Hagemeyer C, Eisenhardt U, Chih C, Schmidt R, Schwarz M, Ahrens I, Katagiri Y, Pannen B, Bode C, Peter K. Targeting ligand-induced binding sites on GPIIb/IIIa via single-chain antibody allows effective anticoagulation without bleeding time prolongation. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2007; 27: 1206-12.

Zirlik A, Maier C, Gerdes N, MacFarlane L, Soosairajah J, Bavendiek A, Ahrens I, Ernst S, Bassler N, Missiou A, Patko Z, Aika M; Schönbeck U, Bode C, Libby P, Peter K. CD40L mediates inflammation independently of CD40 by interaction with Mac-1. Circulation 2007; 115: 1571-80.

Zimmerli L, Schiffer E, Zürbig P, Good DM, Kellmann M, Mouls L, Pitt AR, Coon JJ, Schmieder RE, Peter K, Mischak H, Kolch W, Delles C, Dominiczak AF. Urinary proteomic biomarkers in coronary artery disease. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 2008; 7: 290-8.

Eisenhardt S, Schwarz M, Bassler N, Peter K. Subtractive single-chain antibody (scFv) phage-display: tailoring phage-display for high specificity against function-specific conformations of cell membrane molecules. Nature Protocols 2007; 2: 3063-73.

von zur Muhlen C, von Elverfeldt D, Choudhury RP, Ender J, Ahrens I, Schwarz M, Hennig J, Bode C, Peter K. A functionalized MR contrast agent selectively binds to GPIIb/IIIa on activated human platelets under flow conditions and is detectable at clinically relevant field strengths. Molecular Imaging 2008; 7: 59-67.

von zur Muhlen C*, Peter K*, Ali ZA, Schneider JE, McAteer MA, Neubauer S, Channon KM, Bode C, Choudhury RP. Visualization of activated platelets by targeted magnetic resonance imaging utilizing conformation-specific antibodies against glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Journal of Vascular Research 2009; 46: 6-14.

*equally contributing first authors.

Ahrens I, Ellwanger C, Smith BK, Bassler N, Chen YC, Neudorfer I, Ludwig A, Bode C,

Peter K. Selenium supplementation induces metalloproteinase-dependent L-selectin shedding from monocytes. Journal of Leukocyte Biology 2008; 83: 1388-95.

von zur Muhlen C*, Sibson NR*, Peter K*, Campbell SJ*, Wilainam P, Grau GE, Bode C, Choudhury RP, Anthony DC. A contrast agent recognizing activated platelets reveals murine cerebral malaria pathology undetectable by conventional MRI. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2008; 118: 1198-207.

*equally contributing first authors.

Woollard KJ, Suhartoyo A, Harris EE, Eisenhardt SU, Jackson SP, Peter K, Dart AM, Hickey MJ, Chin-Dusting JP. Pathophysiological levels of soluble P-selectin mediate adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium through Mac-1 activation. Circulation Research 2008; 103: 1128-38.

von zur Muhlen C, von Elverfeldt D, Moeller JA, Choudhury RP, Paul D, Haegemeyer CE, Olschewski M, Becker A, Neudorfer I, Bassler N, Schwarz M, Bode C, Peter K. Magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent targeted toward activated platelets allows in vivo detection of thrombosis and monitoring of thrombolysis. Circulation 2008; 118: 258-67.

Straub A, Wendel HP, Dietz K, Schiebold D, Peter K, Schoenwaelder SM, Ziemer G. Selective inhibition of the platelet phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110beta as promising new strategy for platelet protection during extracorporeal circulation. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2008; 99: 607-15.

von zur Muhlen C, Schiffer E, Zuerbig P, Kellmann M, Brasse M, Meert N, Vanholder RC, Dominiczak AF, Chen YC, Mischak H, Bode C, Peter K. Evaluation of urine proteome pattern analysis for its potential to reflect coronary artery atherosclerosis in symptomatic patients.

Journal of Proteome Research 2009; 8: 335-45.

Hu H, Straub A, Tian Z, Bassler N, Cheng J, Peter K. Celastrol, a triterpene extracted from tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F, inhibits platelet activation. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 2009; 54: 240-5.

Eisenhardt SU, Habersberger J, Murphy A, Chen YC, Woollard KJ, Bassler N, Qian H, von zur Muhlen C, Hagemeyer CE, Ahrens I, Chin-Dusting J, Bobik A, Peter K. Dissociation of pentameric to monomeric C-reactive protein on activated platelets localizes inflammation to atherosclerotic plaques. Circulation Research 2009; 105: 128-37.

Löffler C, Straub A, Bassler N, Pernice K, Beyersdorf F, Bode C, Siegenthaler MP,

Peter K. Evaluation of platelet activation in patients supported by the Jarvic 2000* high rotational speed impeller ventricular assist device. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2009; 137: 736-41.

Hagemeyer CE, Ahrens I, Bassler N, Dschachutaschwili N, Chen YC, Eisenhardt SU, Bode C,

Peter K. Genetic transfer of fusion proteins effectively inhibits VCAM-1-mediated cell adhesion and transmigration via inhibition of cytoskeletal anchorage. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2010; 14: 290-302.

Straub A, Smolich J, d’Udekem Y, Brizard C, Peter K*, Horton S*. Activation of platelets in young infants during cardiopulmonary bypass. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2010; 103: 466-9.

*equally contributing senior authors.

von zur Muhlen C, Fink-Petri A, Salaklang J, Paul D, Neudorfer I, Berti V, Merkle A, Peter K,

Bode C, von Elverfeldt D. Imaging monocytes with iron oxide nanoparticles targeted towards the monocyte integrin MAC-1 (CD11b/CD18) does not result in improved atherosclerotic plaque detection by in vivo MRI. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging 2010; 5: 268-75.

Delles C, Schiffer E, von zur Muhlen C, Peter K, Rossing P, Parving HH, Dymott JA, Neisius U, Zimmerli LU, Snell-Bergeon JK, Maahs DM, Schmieder RE, Mischak H, Dominiczak AF. Urinary proteomic diagnosis of coronary artery disease: identification and clinical validation in 623 individuals. Journal of Hypertension 2010; 28: 2316-22.

Eisenhardt SU, Habersberger J, Oliva K, Lancaster GI, Ayhan M, Woollard KJ, Bannasch H, Rice GE, Peter K. A proteomic analysis of C-reactive protein stimulated THP-1 monocytes. Proteome Science 2011; 9:1-9.

Kanellakis P, Agrotis A, Kyaw TS, Koulis C, Ahrens I, Mori S, Takahashi HK, Liu K, Peter K, Nishibori M, Bobik A. High-mobility group box protein 1 neutralization reduces development of diet-induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein e-deficient mice. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2011; 31: 313-9.

Heidt T*, Deininger F*, Peter K*, Goldschmidt J, Pethe A, Hagemeyer CE, Neudorfer I, Zirlik A, Weber WA, Bode C, Meyer PT, Behe M, von zur Muhlen C. Activated platelets in carotid artery thrombosis in mice can be selectively targeted with a radiolabeled single-chain antibody. PLoS One 2011; 6: e18446.

*equally contributing first authors.

Hu H, Armstrong PC, Khalil E, Chen YC, Straub A, Li M, Soosairajah J, Hagemeyer CE, Bassler N, Huang D, Ahrens I, Krippner G, Gardiner E, Peter K. GPVI and GPIbα mediate staphylococcal superantigen-like protein 5 (SSL5) induced platelet activation and direct toward glycans as potential inhibitors. PLoS One 2011; 6: e19190.

Straub A, Krajewski S, Hohmann JD, Westein E, Jia F, Bassler N, Selan C, Kurz J, Wendel HP, Dezfouli S, Yuan Y, Nandurkar H, Jackson S, Hickey MJ, Peter K. Evidence of platelet activation at medically used hypothermia and mechanistic data indicating ADP as a key mediator and therapeutic target. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2011; 31: 1607-16.

Fernando H, Bassler N, Haberberger J, Sheffield LJ, Sharma R, Dart AM, Peter K*, Shaw JA*.

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study to determine the effects of esomeprazole on inhibition of platelet function by clopidogrel. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 2011; 9: 1582-9.

*equally contributing senior authors.

Ta HT, Prabhu S, Leitner E, Jia F, von Elverfeldt D, Jackson KE, Heidt T, Nair AK, Pearce H, von zur Muhlen C, Wang X, Peter K*, Hagemeyer CE*. Enzymatic single-chain antibody tagging: a universal approach to targeted molecular imaging and cell homing in cardiovascular disease. Circulation Research 2011; 109: 365-73. (Cover page and feature article).

*equally contributing senior authors.

Ahrens I, Domeij H, Topcic D, Haviv I, Merivirta RM, Agrotis A, Leitner E, Jowett JB, Bode C, Lappas M, Peter K. Successful in vitro expansion and differentiation of cord blood derived CD34+ cells into early endothelial progenitor cells reveals highly differential gene expression.

PLoS One 2011; 6: e23210.

Topcic D, Kim W, Holien JK, Jia F, Armstrong PC, Hohmann JD, Straub A, Krippner G, Haller CA, Domeij H, Hagemeyer CE, Parker MW, Chaikof EL, Peter K. An activation-specific platelet inhibitor that can be turned on/off by medically used hypothermia. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2011; 31: 2015-23.

Strang F, Scheichl A, ChenYC, Wang X, Htun NM, Bassler N, Eisenhardt S, Habersberger J,

Peter K. Amyloid plaques dissociate pentameric to monomeric C-reactive-protein: a novel pathomechanism driving cortical inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease? Brain Pathology 2011; 22: 337-46.

Ahrens I, Domeij H, Eisenhardt SU, Topcic D, Albrecht M, Leitner E, Viitaniemi K, Jowett JB, Lappas M, Bode C, Haviv I, Peter K. Opposing effects of monomeric and pentameric C-reactive protein on endothelial progenitor cells. Basic Research in Cardiology 2011; 106: 879-95.

Duerschmied D, Meiner M, Peter K, Neudorfer I, Roming F, Zirlik A, Bode C, von Elverfeldt D, von zur Muhlen C. Molecular magnetic resonance imaging allows the detection of activated platelets in a new mouse model of coronary artery thrombosis. Investigative Radiology 2011; 46: 618-23.

Ahrens I, Habersberger J, Baumlin N, Qian H, Smith BK, Stasch JP, Bode C, Schmidt HH,

Peter K. Measuring oxidative burden and predicting pharmacological response in coronary artery disease patients with a novel direct activator of haem-free/oxidised sGC. Atherosclerosis 2011; 218: 431-4.

Wolf D, Hohmann JD, Wiedemann A, Bledzka K, Blankenbach H, Marchini T, Gutte K, Zeschky K, Bassler N, Hoppe N, Ortiz Rodriguez A, Herr N, Higendorf I, Stachon P, Willecke F, Duerrschmied D, von zur Muhlen C, Soloviev DA, Zhang L, Bode C, Plow EF, Libby P, Peter K*, Zirlik A*. Binding of CD40L to Mac-1’s I-domain involves the EQLKKSKTL motif and mediates leukocyte recruitment and atherosclerosis - but does not affect immunity and thrombosis in mice. Circulation Research 2011; 109: 1269-79. (Featured in an editorial).

*equally contributing senior authors.

von Elverfeldt D, Meißner M, Peter K, Paul D, Meixner F, Neudorfer I, Merkle A, Harloff A, Zirlik A, Schöllhorn J, Markl M, Hennig J, Bode C, von Zur Muhlen C. An approach towards molecular imaging of activated platelets allows imaging of symptomatic human carotid plaques in a new model of a tissue flow chamber. Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging 2012; 7: 204-13.

Krajewski S, Kurz J, Neumann B, Greiner TO, Stolz A, Balkau B, Peter K, Unertl K, Wendel HP, Straub A. Short-acting P2Y12 blockade to reduce platelet dysfunction and coagulopathy during experimental extracorporeal circulation and hypothermia. British Journal of Anaesthesia 2012; 108: 912-21.

Von Zur Muhlen C, Schiffer E, Sackmann C, Zürbig P, Neudorfer I, Zirlik A, Htun N, Iphöfer A, Jänsch L, Mischak H, Bode C, Chen YC*, Peter K*. Urine proteome analysis reflects atherosclerotic disease in an ApoE-/- mouse model and allows the discovery of new biomarkers in mouse and human atherosclerosis. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 2012; 11: M111.013847.

*equally contributing senior authors.

Diehl P, Fricke A, Sander L, Stamm J, Bassler N, Htun N, Helbing T, El-Osta A, Jowett JB,

Peter K. Microparticles: major transport vehicles for distinct miRNAs in circulation. Cardiovascular Research 2012; 93: 633-44. (Accompanied by an editorial).

Research Publications

Wolf D, Michel NA, Blankenbach H, Wiedemann A, Buscher K, Hohmann JD, Lim B, Bäuml M, Marki A, Mauler M, Duerschmied D, Fan Z, Winkels H, Sidler D, Diehl P, Zajonc D, Hilgendorf, Stachon P, Marchini T, Willecke F, Schell M, Sommer B, von zur Muhlen C, Reinöhl J, Gerhardt T, Plow EF, Yakubenko V, Libby P, Bode C, Ley K, Peter K*, Andreas Zirlik.* A ligand-specific blockade of the integrin Mac-1 selectivity targets pathologic inflammation while maintaining protective host-defense. Nature Communications 2018; 9: 525. *equally contributing senior authors.

Baratchi S, Zaldivia MTK, Wallert M, Loseff-Silver J, Al-Aryahi S, Zamani J, Thurgood P, Htun NM, Stu D, Duffy SJ, Walton A, Nguyen H, Jaworowski A, Khoshmanesh K, Peter K. TAVI represents an anti-inflammatory therapy via reduction of shear-stress induced, Piezo-1-mediated monocyte activation. Circulation 2020 [In press].

McFadyen JD, Stevens H, Peter K. The Emerging Threat of (Micro)Thrombosis in COVID-19 and Its Therapeutic Implications. Circulation Research 2020 [In press].

Research Projects


School Research Themes

Cardiometabolic



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact Head of Laboratory Professor Karlheinz Peter Peter

Department / Centre

Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health

Unit / Centre

Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Group

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