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Airway Inflammation In Allergic Aspergillosis: Characterisation, Immunologic Mechanisms And Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,562.00
Summary
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that commonly occurs in our community. In some people with asthma, this fungus causes the asthma to become severe and chronic. It may also be associated with a severe form of lung destruction called bronchiectasis. There is little known about the chemicals produced by the body which contribute to inflammation in this condition. Similarly, it is not known why only some people with asthma develop an allergic disease to this fungus. In this project we will examine ....Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that commonly occurs in our community. In some people with asthma, this fungus causes the asthma to become severe and chronic. It may also be associated with a severe form of lung destruction called bronchiectasis. There is little known about the chemicals produced by the body which contribute to inflammation in this condition. Similarly, it is not known why only some people with asthma develop an allergic disease to this fungus. In this project we will examine 2 important inflammation chemicals (called cytokines) to examine what their role is in aspergillus associated allergy. We will also examine 2 genetic markers to establish whether these predispose to people developing allergy to aspergillus. The treatment of aspergillus lung disease is also problematic. In this project we will examine whether a new medication called itraconazole is effective in removing this fungus from the airway and improving asthma.Read moreRead less
Mast Cell Proteases Suppress Respiratory Viral Infections And Alleric Inflammation Of The Airways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,532.00
Summary
Severe RSV infection and asthma accounts for poor quality of life in our community and current treatments have limited effects. Although the factors regulating these disorders are poorly understood, mast cells (MCs) may play important roles. We have shown MC protease-6 protects against viral infection. Here we will identify how MC and their factors are involved in the control of severe respiratory infections and allergic disease of the lung, and identify potential new ways to treat these conditi ....Severe RSV infection and asthma accounts for poor quality of life in our community and current treatments have limited effects. Although the factors regulating these disorders are poorly understood, mast cells (MCs) may play important roles. We have shown MC protease-6 protects against viral infection. Here we will identify how MC and their factors are involved in the control of severe respiratory infections and allergic disease of the lung, and identify potential new ways to treat these conditions.Read moreRead less
Predictors And Consequences Of Allergies That Impact On Children Getting A Healthy Start To Life:a Prospective Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,559.00
Summary
Allergic diseases prevent Australian children getting a healthy start to life by causing long term illnesses. This group of diseases includes asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergies. Half of all Australian children are born into families with a history of these conditions and these children are at increased risk. Some of these children develop allergies while the others do not. It is also known that allergic conditions change over time, but we have no information on causes of these changes. ....Allergic diseases prevent Australian children getting a healthy start to life by causing long term illnesses. This group of diseases includes asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergies. Half of all Australian children are born into families with a history of these conditions and these children are at increased risk. Some of these children develop allergies while the others do not. It is also known that allergic conditions change over time, but we have no information on causes of these changes. For example some infants with eczema continue to have eczema or develop hay fever and asthma, while others do not. The aim of this study is to determine what factors cause allergies and what factors influence these changes. This will provide evidence to guide health policy and clinical practice. Looking at the different conditions in family members over time is a good way to answer these types of questions, because parents and siblings share similar exposures, but not all the same genes. This helps to disentangle the effects of the environment and genes. The Melbourne Atopic Cohort Study (MACS) is amongst the world�s major studies on the development of allergies. MACS commenced in 1991-94 by recruiting 620 babies prior to birth. Only infants born into families with a history of allergic disease were included. MACS is unique because all family members and the home environment were assessed at the time of birth of the child. These children have been followed regularly over the first ten years of their life. The MACS now provides a unique opportunity to conduct a family study that can examine genes, childhood environment and individual risk factors for allergies. This will also allow exploration of the impact of allergies on families and the health care system, and how we can reduce that impact. Such information will provide evidence to guide health care policy and clinical practice. Also, the current study will provide a platform for future studies to investigate the progression of allergies in this family cohort. This will be the world's only longitudinal family follow-up of allergies that spans all of childhood. It will assist in reducing the impact of these common conditions, and the findings will be original and significant not only in Australia but also internationally.Read moreRead less
AusPollen: Implementation Of A Standardized National Pollen Alert System For Better Management Of Allergic Respiratory Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,442.00
Summary
In Australia, grass pollen is the main outdoor trigger for hay fever and allergic asthma. This AusPollen project will build and evaluate our first standardised pollen monitoring network. Pollen alerts and healthcare information will be delivered to patients and doctors via websites and Apps. The AusPollen program was initiated with The Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Asthma Australia, Stallergenes, the Bureau of Meteorology CSIRO and MeteoSwiss.
Targeting MicroRNA (miRNA) As A Unified Therapeutic Approach To The Treatment Of Asthma And Allergic Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$675,030.00
Summary
Approximately 30% of our community suffers from allergic inflammation (asthma/rhinitis/dermatitis) that results in poor quality of life. The factors regulating these disorders are poorly understood and current treatments only target the symptoms and not the cause of disease. MicroRNA control gene expression and are emerging as potential regulators of inflammation. This project will identify the role of microRNA in the regulation of allergic diseases and their potential as new therapeutic targets ....Approximately 30% of our community suffers from allergic inflammation (asthma/rhinitis/dermatitis) that results in poor quality of life. The factors regulating these disorders are poorly understood and current treatments only target the symptoms and not the cause of disease. MicroRNA control gene expression and are emerging as potential regulators of inflammation. This project will identify the role of microRNA in the regulation of allergic diseases and their potential as new therapeutic targets.Read moreRead less
Determining The Role Of Vitamin D In The Development Of Asthma And Allergic Diseases In High Risk Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,127.00
Summary
Allergic diseases like asthma, eczema and hay-fever, prevent our children from getting a healthy start to life, and we don’t know how to prevent these conditions. Vitamin D levels may be critical in the development of childhood asthma and allergies, and they can be easily modified! Using a group of 620 children who we have followed for 20 years, we will identify the role of vitamin D levels in the development of allergic conditions, and factors that modify these relationships.
A Population-based Family Study Of Filaggrin Mutations And Allergic Disease Risk In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$308,584.00
Summary
It is biologically plausible that the association of known environmental risk factors for asthma may be different for genetically susceptible individuals. Few studies have examined the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. that have not considered genetic susceptibility are estimating an average risk of asthma across all genotypes in the population which may not be relevant for a particular sub-group.
The Efficacy And Safety Of Acupuncture For Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Prospective, Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,732.00
Summary
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is a common condition with high prevalence in Australia, being most pronounced during spring and early summer when pollen counts are highest. There is no proven cure for hay fever. Many hay fever sufferers seek alternative therapies such as acupuncture. We propose to undertake a rigorous study, using well-established clinical trial methodology, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of hay fever.