Versiti - Veronica Flood, MD | Versiti Blood Research Institute

Veronica Flood, MD

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Veronica Flood, MD

Associate Medical Director, Investigator

Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Medical College of Wisconsin

Hematology Program Director
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Medical College of Wisconsin

Contact Information
  • 414-937-6834
  • 414-937-6834
  • Von Willebrand Factor Biology 

    My lab is interested in the interaction of von Willebrand factor (VWF) with platelets and with collagens in the vascular endothelium. VWF is a coagulation protein that is key in linking platelets (blood clotting cells) to the injured endothelium that lines blood vessels. Therefore, normal VWF requires the ability to interact with platelets (via platelet receptors GPIb and integrin αIIbβ3) and with vascular collagens (including types 1, 3, 4 and 6). In patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) these interactions may be decreased or absent.

    VWF and Collagen

    My current R01 grant focuses on type 4 collagen and its role in VWF and platelet interactions. We have generated a mouse model with defective VWF-collagen 4 binding and are currently studying the bleeding symptoms seen in these mice. We have previously shown that defects in collagen 4 binding are not uncommon in patients with types 1 and 2M VWD, and that these may predispose to increased bleeding compared to patients with normal collagen binding. Ongoing work concerns the effect of aberrant collagen binding on VWF function, platelet function, and bleeding phenotype.

    The Spectrum of Von Willebrand Disease

    As a clinician, I am fascinated by the variability in bleeding experienced by patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD). I also work with Bob Montgomery on the Zimmerman Program for the Molecular and Clinical Biology of VWD. We have enrolled a large number of patients with type 1 von Willebrand disease, and from this group have demonstrated that genetic variants in VWF are most common when the VWF level is below 30%. However, bleeding symptoms are highly variable and not necessarily well correlated with VWF levels. Ongoing research concerns the correlation of genotype and phenotype with bleeding symptoms in patients with VWD, with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis and treatment for affected patients.

    • NIH/NHLBI R01: Mechanism of VWF Interactions with Type 4 Collagen; 01/01/2016 - 12/31/2020

    Tricia Slobodianuk 
    Research Technologist

    Chad Skaer
    Research Technologist

    Refereed Journal Publications/Original Papers

    *first author a trainee.

    Books, Chapters & Reviews
    • Flood, V.H. Blueprints Q&A Step 2: Pediatrics. Blackwell Science; Malden, MA, 2002, contributor.
    • Flood, V.H. Blueprints Q&A Step 3: Pediatrics. Blackwell Science; Malden, MA, 2002, contributor.
    • Flood, V.H., Montgomery, R.R. Von Willebrand Disease: Biological Diagnosis. Textbook of Hemophilia, 2nd edition. Lee, C., Berntorp, E., Hoots, K., eds. Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford, UK, 2010. Revised chapter for 3rd edition submitted December 2012.
    • Flood, V.H., Recht, M. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Textbook of Clinical Pediatrics, 2nd edition. Elzouki, A.Y., ed. Springer; New York, NY, 2011.
    • Punzalan, R.C., Flood, V.H. Developmental Hemostasis. Textbook of Clinical Pediatrics, 2nd edition. Elzouki, A.Y., ed. Springer; New York, NY, 2011.
    • Flood, V.H., Gill, J.C., Friedman, K.D., Bellissimo, D.B., Haberichter, S.L., Montgomery, R.R. Von Willebrand Disease in the United States: A Perspective from Wisconsin. Semin Thromb Hemost, 37(5):528-534, 2011.
    • Berntorp, E., Fuchs, B., Makris, M., Montgomery R., Flood, V., O’Donnell, J.S., Federici, A.B., Lillicrap, D., James, P., Budde, U., Morfini, M., Petrini, P., Austin, S., Kannicht, C., Jiménez-Yuste, V., Lee, C. Third Åland Islands Conference on von Willebrand Disease, 26-28 September 2012: Meeting Report. Haemophilia, 19(Suppl 3): 1-18, 2013.
    • Flood, V.H. Perils, Problems, and Progress in Laboratory Diagnosis of Von Willebrand Disease. Semin Thromb Hemost, 40(1):41-48, 2014.
    • Flood, V.H., Montgomery, R.R. Von Willebrand Disease: Biological Diagnosis. Textbook of Hemophilia, 3rd edition. Lee, C., Berntorp, E., Hoots, K., eds. Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford, UK, 2014. (Revision of chapter from previous edition.)
    • Flood, V.H. New Insights into Genotype and Phenotype of von Willebrand Disease. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 2014(1):531-535, 2014.
    • *Roberts, J.C., Flood, V.H. Laboratory Diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease. International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, 37(Suppl 1): 11-17, 2015.
    • Di Paola, J., Montgomery, R.R., Gill, J.C., Flood, V.H. Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease. Nathan and Oski’s Hematology and Oncology of Infancy and Childhood, 8th edition. Orkin, S.H., Fisher, D.E., Ginsburg, D., Look, A.T., Lux, S.E., Nathan, D.G., eds. Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA, 2015.
    • Flood, V.H., Scott, J.P. Von Willebrand Disease. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 20th edition. Kleigman, R., Stanton, B., St. Geme III, J. Schor, N., eds. Elsevier; Philadelphia, PA, 2016.
    • Flood, V.H. Platelet-Derived VWF in the Stroke Spotlight. Blood 126(14):1640-1641, 2015.
       

    *first author a trainee.

     
    Thrombosis & Hemostasis
    We study the properties of blood that cause it to clot. Our findings help to treat diseases that cause blood clots or excessive bleeding.
     
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