Staff Profile:Dr Sakthivel Vaiyapuri

Name:

Dr Sakthi Vaiyapuri

Job Title:

Warden, Mackinder Hall

Responsibilities:

Areas of Interest:

Our research interests are mainly focussed on the understanding of the orchestrated functions of adhesive molecules in the regulation of cellular interactions and responses during the development of inflammatory diseases. Platelets (small circulating blood cells) are involved in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. However, their inappropriate activation under pathological conditions leads to thrombosis, which can cause major life threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Although platelets play an important role in the maintenance of haemostasis and thrombosis, they are known to be critically involved in the development of inflammatory responses. Therefore, our research group is currently investigating the orchestrated functions of adhesive molecules and inflammatory receptors such as formyl peptide and toll-like receptors present on the surface of blood cells such as platelets, monocytes and neutrophils in the regulation of multicellular interactions and their complex functions during inflammatory responses.

As well as this, we are also interested in understanding the pathophysiological functions of snake venom proteins in order to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to snakebites. Since viper venom components are haemotoxic in nature and target the blood coagulation system, we are able to inter-relate the venom proteins with the coagulation system to understand their mechanisms of action. Indeed, we have purified several toxic venom proteins including a snaclec, rhinocetin from the venom of Bitis gabonica rhinoceros that was characterised to be a selective inhibitor of integrin α2β1 on the surface of platelets and endothelial cells. We are currently involved in the expression and molecular characterisation of snake venom proteins from plant-based bioreactors and are exploring the therapeutic applications of chemical-based inhibitors as an alternative option for treating snakebites.

Research groups / Centres:

Publications:

Y

Jump to: 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

Number of items: 25.

2017

• Vallance, T. , Zeuner, M.-T. , Williams, H., Widera, D. and Vaiyapuri, S. (2017) Toll-like receptor 4 signalling and its impact on platelet function, thrombosis, and haemostasis. Mediators of inflammation. ISSN 0962-9351 (In Press)
• Williams, H. F., Vaiyapuri, R., Gajjeraman, P., Hutchinson, G., Gibbins, J. M., Bicknell, A. B. and Vaiyapuri, S. (2017) Challenges in diagnosing and treating snakebites in a rural population of Tamil Nadu, India: the views of clinicians. Toxicon, 130. pp. 44-46. ISSN 0041-0101 doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.02.025
• Zeuner, M.-T., Vallance, T., Vaiyapuri, S., Cottrell, G. S. and Widera, D. (2017) Development and characterisation of a novel NF-κB reporter cell line for investigation of neuroinflammation. Mediators of inflammation, 2017. 6209865. ISSN 0962-9351 doi: 10.1155/2017/6209865
• Ravishankar, D., Salamah, M., Attina, A., Pothi, R., Vallance, T. M., Javed, M., Williams, H. F., Alzahrani, E. M. S., Kabova, E., Vaiyapuri, R., Shankland, K., Gibbins, J., Strohfeldt, K., Greco, F., Osborn, H. M. I. and Vaiyapuri, S. (2017) Ruthenium-conjugated chrysin analogues modulate platelet activity, thrombus formation and haemostasis with enhanced efficacy. Scientific Reports, 7. 5738. ISSN 2045-2322 doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-05936-3

2016

• Moraes, L. A., Unsworth, A. J., Vaiyapuri, S., Ali, M. S., Sasikumar, P., Sage, T., Flora, G. D., Bye, A. P., Kriek, N., Dorchies, E., Molendi-Coste, O., Dombrowicz, D., Staels, B., Bishop-Bailey, D. and Gibbins, J. M. (2016) Farnesoid X Receptor and its ligands inhibit the function of platelets. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 36 (12). pp. 2324-2333. ISSN 1524-4636 doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.116.308093
• Crescente, M., Pluthero , F. G., Li, L., Lo, R. W., Walsh, T. G., Schenk, M. P., Holbrook, L. M., Loureiro, S., Ali, M. S., Vaiyapuri, S., Falet, H., Jones, I. M., Poole, A. W., Kahr, W. H. A. and Gibbins, J. M. (2016) Intracellular trafficking, localization, and mobilization of platelet-borne thiol isomerases. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 36 (6). pp. 1164-1173. ISSN 1079-5642 doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.116.307461

2015

• Mazet, F., Dunster, J. L., Jones, C. I., Vaiyapuri, S., Tindall, M. J., Fry, M. J. and Gibbins, J. M. (2015) A high-density immunoblotting methodology for quantification of total protein levels and phosphorylation modifications. Scientific Reports, 5. 16995. ISSN 2045-2322 doi: 10.1038/srep16995
• Bye, A. P., Unsworth, A. J., Vaiyapuri, S., Stainer, A. R., Fry, M. J. and Gibbins, J. M. (2015) Ibrutinib inhibits platelet integrin αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling and thrombus stability but not adhesion to collagen. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 35 (11). pp. 2326-2335. ISSN 1524-4636 doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.115.306130
• Vaiyapuri, S., Roweth, H., Ali, M., Unsworth, A., Stainer, A., Flora , G., Crescente, M., Jones, C., Moraes, L. and Gibbins, J. (2015) Pharmacological actions of nobiletin in the modulation of platelet function. British Journal of Pharmacology, 172 (16). pp. 4133-4145. ISSN 0007-1188 doi: 10.1111/bph.13191
• Vaiyapuri, S., Sunagar, K., Gibbins, J., Jackson, T. N. W., Reeks, T. and Fry, B. G. (2015) Kallikrein enzymes. In: Fry, B. (ed.) Venomous reptiles and their toxins: evolution, pathophysiology and biodiscovery. Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 267-280. ISBN 9780199309399
• Vaiyapuri, S., Flora, G. D. and Gibbins, J. M. (2015) Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels in the regulation of haemostasis and thrombosis. Biochemical Society Transactions, 43 (3). pp. 489-494. ISSN 1470-8752 doi: 10.1042/BST20150055
• Vaiyapuri, S., Sage, T., Rana, R. H., Schenk, M. P., Ali, M. S., Unsworth, A. J., Jones, C. I., Stainer, A. R., Kriek, N. K., Moraes, L. A. and Gibbins, J. (2015) EphB2 regulates contact-dependent and independent signalling to control platelet function. Blood, 125 (4). pp. 720-730. ISSN 0006-4971 doi: 10.1182/blood-2014-06-585083

2014

• Jones, C. I., Sage, T., Moraes, L. A., Vaiyapuri, S., Hussain, U., Tucker, K. L., Barrett, N. E. and Gibbins, J. M. (2014) Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 inhibits platelet response to thrombin and von Willebrand factor by regulating the internalization of glycoprotein Ib via AKT/glycogen synthase kinase-3/dynamin and integrin αIIbβ3. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 34 (9). pp. 1968-1976. ISSN 1079-5642 doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.114.304097
• Lewin, M. R., Samuel, S. P., Wexler, D. S., Bickler, P., Vaiyapuri, S. and Mensh, B. D. (2014) Early treatment with intranasal neostigmine reduces mortality in a mouse model of Naja naja (Indian Cobra) envenomation. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2014. 131835. ISSN 1687-9686 doi: 10.1155/2014/131835

2013

• Vaiyapuri, S., Ali, M. S., Moraes, L. A., Sage, T., Lewis, K. R., Jones, C. I. and Gibbins, J. M. (2013) Tangeretin regulates platelet function through inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-Kinase and cyclic nucleotide signaling. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33 (12). pp. 2740-2749. ISSN 1079-5642 doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.113.301988
• Vaiyapuri, S., Vaiyapuri, R., Ashokan, R., Ramasamy, K., Nattamaisundar, K., Jeyaraj, A., Chandran, V., Gajjeraman, P., Baksh, M. F., Gibbins, J. M. and Hutchinson, E. G. (2013) Snakebite and its socio-economic impact on the rural population of Tamil Nadu, India. PLoS ONE, 8 (11). e80090. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080090
• Moraes, L. A., Vaiyapuri, S., Sasikumar, P., Ali, M. S., Kriek, N. K., Sage, T. and Gibbins, J. M. (2013) Antithrombotic actions of statins involve PECAM-1 signalling. Blood, 122 (18). pp. 3188-3196. ISSN 0006-4971 doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-04-491845
• Vaiyapuri, S., Moraes, L. A., Sage, T., Ali, M. S., Lewis, K. R., Mayhaut-Smith, M. P., Oviedo-Orta, E., Simon, A. M. and Gibbins, J. M. (2013) Connexin40 regulates platelet function. Nature Communications, 4. pp. 2564-2572. ISSN 2041-1723 doi: 10.1038/ncomms3564

2012

• Vaiyapuri, S., Thiyagarajan, N., Hutchinson, E. G. and Gibbins, J. M. (2012) Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of viper venom serine proteases. Bioinformation, 8 (16). pp. 763-772. ISSN 0973-2063
• Vaiyapuri, S., Hutchinson, E. G., Ali, M. S., Dannoura, A., Stanley, R. G., Harrison, R. A., Bicknell, A. B. and Gibbins, J. M. (2012) Rhinocetin, a venom-derived integrin-specific antagonist inhibits collagen-induced platelet and endothelial cell functions. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 287 (31). pp. 26235-26244. ISSN 1083-351X doi: 10.1074/jbc.M112.381483
• Vaiyapuri, S., Jones, C. I., Sasikumar, P., Moraes, L. A., Munger, S. J., Wright, J. R., Ali, M. S., Sage, T., Kaiser, W. J., Tucker, K. L., Stain, C. J., Bye, A. P., Jones, S., Oviedo-Orta, E., Simon, A. M., Mahaut-Smith, M. P. and Gibbins, J. M. (2012) Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels underpin hemostasis and thrombosis. Circulation, 125 (20). pp. 2479-2491. ISSN 0009-7322 doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.101246
• Elashry, M. I., Collins-Hooper, H., Vaiyapuri, S. and Patel, K. (2012) Characterisation of connective tissue from the hypertrophic skeletal muscle of myostatin null mice. Journal of Anatomy, 220 (6). pp. 603-611. ISSN 0021-8782 doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01503.x

2011

• Vaiyapuri, S., Wagstaff, S. C., Harrison, R. A., Gibbins, J. M. and Hutchinson, G. (2011) Evolutionary analysis of novel serine proteases in the venom gland transcriptome of Bitis gabonica rhinoceros. PLoS ONE, 6 (6). e21532. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021532

2010

• Vaiyapuri, S., Wagstaff, S. C., Watson, K. A., Harrison, R. A., Gibbins, J. M. and Hutchinson, E. G. (2010) Purification and functional characterisation of rhiminopeptidase A, a novel aminopeptidase from the venom of Bitis gabonica rhinoceros. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4 (8). e796. ISSN 1935-2735 doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000796
• Vaiyapuri, S., Harrison, R. A., Bicknell, A., Gibbins, J. M. and Hutchinson, E. G. (2010) Purification and functional characterisation of Rhinocerase, a novel serine protease from the venom of Bitis gabonica rhinoceros. PLoS ONE, 5 (3). e9687. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009687

This list was generated on Thu Oct 19 04:24:26 2017 BST.

Current Group Members

• Dr Radhika Pothi - Research Technician & Lab manager
• Dr Divya Ravishankar - Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Ms Maryam Salamah - PhD
• Ms Eman Alzahrani - PhD
• Mr Harry Williams - PhD
• Mr Kahdr Alatawi - PhD
• Mr Thomas Vallance - PhD
• Ms Angela Akimbaev - Research Technician

Research Funding

• University of Reading (2016) 2020 Research Fellowship, £5000 (PI)
• British Heart Foundation (2016) PhD Studentship, £107,299 (PI)
• Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (2016) PhD Studentship, £150,000 (PI)
• The Wellcome Trust (2016) Seed Award in Science, £98,333 (PI)
• British Heart Foundation (2016) Project Grant, £170,397 (PI)
• Saudi Arabian Embassy (2016) PhD Studentship, £150,000 (PI)
• University of Reading (2016) UROP Summer placement award, £1320 (PI)
• The Physiological Society (2015) Research Grant, £9936 (PI)
• The Royal Society (2015) Research Grant, £14,999 (PI)
• University of Reading (2015) UROP Summer placement award, £1320 (PI)
• Saudi Arabian Embassy (2015) PhD Studentship, £138,000 (PI)

Membership in Professional Bodies

• American Heart Association
• International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
• British Society for Cardiovascular Research
• British Society for Haematology
• The Physiological Society

Major Awards and Achievements

2016: 2020 Research Fellowship from the University of Reading

2016: 'Research Inspired Teaching Excellence Award' by the Reading University Students' Union

2016: 'Best Undergraduate Dissertation Award' for the Faculty of Life sciences for 'Muhammad Javed' for his MPharm research project in our laboratory

2015: 'Best UROP Project award' for Health Research Theme at the University of Reading for 'Ghalib Masood' for his summer project in our laboratory.

2014: Research Travel Grant from the University of Reading.

2014: Travel Award from the American Heart Association.

2014: Best Cover Art Award of 2013 at ATVB Conference in Toronto.

2013: Best Research Output Award for the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Reading.

2013: Travel award from British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis.

2010: ICMR Research Development Award, University of Reading.

2007: Leonard Sutton Scholarship Award for research assistantship, University of Reading.

2007: Special research award from the Felix Trust, London.

2002: Gnanam Endowment Fellowship for Research at University of Madras, Chennai, India.

2000: 'Best Student Award' received at Thanthai Hans Roever College, Tamil Nadu, India.

Impact, Enterprise and Outreach

Snakebite brings social and financial burden among Indian farmers - an article published in 'Rural 21', 03; 2016.

Snakebite Antivenom Development Is Stuck in the 19^th Century. What's Next? - an article published in 'Scientific American' on 17^th November 2015.

Indian's snakebite victims could be offered lifesaving low-cost nasal spray - an article published in 'The Guardian' on 18th July 2014.

Cheap nasal spray may save snakebite victims - an article published in 'SciDevNet' on 17th July 2014.

Universal antidote for snakebite: Experimental trial represents promising step toward - an article published in 'ScienceDaily' on 28th May 2014.

The Killers Underfoot - an article published in 'The New York Times' on 12th April 2014.

Snakebite deaths register rattling surge, finds study - an article published in 'The Times of India' on 12th March 2014.

Clot breakthrough - an article published in an UK newspaper, 'Chronicle' on 10th October 2013.

Food Hospital - Effects of onions in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases- participated in a TV Show for 'Channel 4' in October 2012.

Blood cell breakthrough could help treat heart disease - an article published in 'The Operation Theatre Journal', May 2012: Issue 260; 2.

Blood cell breakthrough could help treat heart disease - an article published in an UK newspaper, 'Reading Post' on 22nd May 2012.

Snakes alive-working with deadly venom - an article published in an UK newspaper, 'Reading Post' on 21st March 2007.

Researching For A Bright Future - an article published in the University of Reading alumni magazine in 2006.

Local Collaborators

• Professor Jonathan Gibbins, School of Biological Sciences
• Professor Ketan Patel, School of Biological Sciences
• Professor Ben Whalley, School of Pharmacy
• Professor Gary Stephens, School of Pharmacy
• Professor Helen Osborn, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Alistair McNeish, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Darius Widera, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Katrina Bicknell, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Katja Strohfeldt, School of Pharmacy
• Dr Andrew Bicknell, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr Keith Foster, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr Michael Fry, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr David Leake, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr Kim Watson, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr Chris Jones, School of Biological Sciences
• Dr Fazil Baksh, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

National Collaborators

• Dr Robert Harrison, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
• Professor Martyn Mahaut-Smith, University of Leicester, UK
• Professor Mauro Perretti, William Harvey Research Institute, London, UK

International Collaborators

• Dr Matthew Lewin, California Academy of Sciences, USA
• Dr Stephen Paul Samuel, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• Dr Alexander Simon, University of Arizona, USA
• Dr Leonardo Moraes, National University of Singapore, Singapore
• Dr Prabu Gajjeraman, Karpagam University, India