New Mechanisms Regulating S100 Protein Function In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$813,929.00
Summary
This project will examine new ways which affect the major effector cells in allergic inflammation and asthma regulated by novel S100 protein mediators. We find a natural protein (S100A12) of the innate immune system, in cells in the lungs of patients with acute asthma. S100A12 activates mast cells to release mediators that trigger asthma attack. We will characterise the proteins with which this protein binds on the cell surface and and determine how this mediates their activation.
Enhancing Host Defence Against Intracellular Pathogens By Preventing INOS Interaction With A Negative Regulator, SSB-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,881.00
Summary
Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) gas by immune cells is a critical defence mechanism for the killing of intracellular pathogens. Production of NO within cells is regulated by the enzyme iNOS. We propose that preventing iNOS from interacting with its natural inhibitor protein (SSB-2) would allow enhanced and prolonged iNOS expression leading to increased NO and increased killing of pathogens such as the mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Leishmania parasite.