Research Interests:

We are interested in the role of monocyte tissue factor expression in thrombosis. Tissue factor is the major trigger of the coagulation cascade, and monocytes are the only blood cells able to express tissue factor. Monocytes express tissue factor in response to various stimuli, such as endotoxin and inflammatory cytokines. The possibility that aberrant tissue factor expression may play a role in the initiation of thrombosis has just begun to receive attention.

Homocysteine has been recognized as an important risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and for thrombosis, including venous thrombosis. We are particularly interested in the possibility that the pathogenic effects of homocysteine may be due in part to the induction of tissue factor expression by monocytes. We have observed that physiologically relevant concentrations of homocysteine induce the expression of procoagulant activity by monocytes, and that this procoagulant activity is due to tissue factor. We are actively exploring the mechanisms of this effect and its pertinence in patient populations with elevated plasma homocysteine levels.

Selected Publications:

1. Khajuria A, Houston DS: Induction of monocyte tissue factor expression by homocysteine: evidence for a non-oxidant mechanism. Blood, 96:966-972, 2000. PMID 10910911
2. Houston DS, Carson CW, Esmon CT: Endothelial Cells and Extracellular Calmodulin Inhibit Monocyte TNF Release and Augment Neutrophil Elastase Release. Journal of Biological Chemistry 272:11778-11785, 1997. PMID 9115233
3. Rubinger M, Houston DS, Schwetz N, Woloschuk DMM, Israels SJ, Johnston JB: Continuous infusion of porcine Factor VIII in the management of patients with Factor VIII inhibitors. American Journal of Hematology 56:112-118, 1997. PMID 9326353
4. Woloschuk DMM, Rubinger M, Israels SJ, Houston DS, Schwetz N, Johnston JB: In-vitro stability of procine factor VIII (Hyate:C®). Haemophilia, 3:21-23, 1997.
   

PubMed Listed Publications