Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Based Immunity To Influenza
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$677,938.00
Summary
Pandemic influenza causes widespread disease, death and panic. Producing vaccines to new strains takes time. There is a need to produce vaccines that provide partial protection against unknown strains. We identified a type of anti-influenza antibody in people with prior influenza infection that may assist in reducing disease from new influenza strains. We will study these antibodies, understanding how effective they against influenza, with a view to making improved anti-influenza vaccines.
Understanding Influenza-specific T Cell Immunity In The Indigenous Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,112.00
Summary
Hospitalisation and death rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population. There is an urgent need for one-shot universal vaccine that protects against seasonal and pandemic strains. T cells recognising conserved viral regions can elicit such protection. As T cells are restricted by proteins called HLAs, variable between different ethnicities, we will define T cell regions and their HLA restrictions in the Indigenous population to propose strategies for universal T cell-based protecti ....Hospitalisation and death rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population. There is an urgent need for one-shot universal vaccine that protects against seasonal and pandemic strains. T cells recognising conserved viral regions can elicit such protection. As T cells are restricted by proteins called HLAs, variable between different ethnicities, we will define T cell regions and their HLA restrictions in the Indigenous population to propose strategies for universal T cell-based protective immunity and vaccine design against influenza.Read moreRead less
Suppressor Of Cytokine Signalling (SOCS4) Is A Critical Regulator Of The Anti-viral Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,912.00
Summary
The SOCS proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signalling and immune cell development and function. SOCS4 is the last remaining SOCS protein for which there is no described function or intracellular target. We intend to use well-defined acute and chronic viral disease models, and investigate the role of SOCS4 in infection in order to unravel its function. We will also search for its binding partners and intracellular targets, and determine the signalling pathways regulated by SOCS4.
Understanding Immunity To Influenza Viruses In The Indigenous Population
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,512.00
Summary
Hospitalization rates and mortality from influenza are greatly increased in the Indigenous Australian population. As current vaccines are highly strain-specific, there is an urgent need for a one-shot universal vaccine that protects this vulnerable group against seasonal and pandemic influenza. Immunity provided by T cells is long-lasting, cross-protective and can prevent severe disease. Our findings will inform the design of effective T cell-based influenza vaccines for Indigenous populations.
Understanding The Parameters Of Innate Immune Activation That Govern Protection During Influenza Virus And Secondary Bacterial Infection: Development Of A TLR2-based Antimicrobial Agent.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$462,420.00
Summary
Lower respiratory infections are the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. We have discovered a compound that reduces the impact and disease caused by viral and bacterial infections. This study will develop the prophylactic capabilities of this agent against transmission of influenza virus A and development of secondary bacterial disease. In addition, we will identify the mechanism of action for this compound, and its utility as a broad-spectrum intervention measure against viral and bact ....Lower respiratory infections are the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. We have discovered a compound that reduces the impact and disease caused by viral and bacterial infections. This study will develop the prophylactic capabilities of this agent against transmission of influenza virus A and development of secondary bacterial disease. In addition, we will identify the mechanism of action for this compound, and its utility as a broad-spectrum intervention measure against viral and bacterial infections.Read moreRead less
The development of better ways to prevent and treat influenza infection will be a major step forward in lessening the impact of the virus in communities worldwide. We have assembled a research team of seven groups who will determine the ways in which the effects of influenza can be mitigated through an understanding of the factors which lead to severe disease, and how these can be lessened by novel vaccination and treatment strategies.