Elucidating The Role And Potential For Therapeutic Targeting Of TLR7 In Emphysema And COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$925,780.00
Summary
Emphysema is a major cause of illness and death and there are no effective treatments. It is caused by smoking that damages the airways and air sacs but how this occurs is not well understood. We have found that a new factor, called Toll-like receptor 7, is involved in emphysema. In this study we will now characterise its roles in this disease, work out how it induces emphysema and test new inhibitors (antibodies) that we have developed as treatments.
Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Treat Skeletal Muscle Wasting In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,089,054.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. A significant proportion of COPD patients have skeletal muscle wasting and loss of strength which severely impacts on their quality of life and survival. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine how skeletal muscle wasting occurs in COPD and to then develop new medicines to treat skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunction in COPD.
FUNCTIONAL IMAGING OF THE BRAINSTEM AND CORTICAL SITES OF BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL IN HUMAN SUBJECTS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,498.00
Summary
Disturbances in cardiovascular control underpin many diseases yet little is known about how the brain controls the heart and blood vessels. This project uses brain imaging (fMRI) and concurrent nerve recording in awake human subjects to increase our understanding of how normal blood pressure is maintained and how different disease states influence this control.
Studies On The Effects Of Endogenous And Exogenous Opioids In Modulating Exercise-induced Dyspnoea In People With Moderate / Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Two Double-blind Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trials.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$197,086.00
Summary
There is evidence that morphine-like chemicals made by the body itself help reduce breathlessness. It is not clear whether this response is because of the effects of these morphine-like chemicals on the brain, in the lung or both. This study will help understand where these chemicals act to reduce breathlessness in people with emphysema during exercise. Subsequently, it will also help to understand whether small, regular doses of morphine safely further reduce breathlessness during exercise.
Enhancing Innate Immune Responses To Influenza In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,323.00
Summary
Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these c ....Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these cells and reduce the effects of infection.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Th22 Cells In Regulating Respiratory Immune Responses In Health And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,476.00
Summary
T cells that produce the cytokine IL-22 (Th22 cells) are found in infectious and inflammatory lung disease. However, the role of Th22 cells in promoting or preventing disease remains largely unknown. We have discovered how to grow Th22 cells and have generated a unique strain of IL-22 reporter mice, which will allow us to identify their role in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our investigations will provide new insights into therapeutic approaches for these diseases of the lung.
Defining The Roles And Targeting Interferon-epsilon As A New Therapy For Influenza In Asthma And COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$905,904.00
Summary
Influenza is a major cause of illness and death, especially in people with asthma and emphysema. There are issues with vaccines and current treatments are poorly effective. Effective treatments are urgently required. We have found a new immune factor, interferon-epsilon that is induced and used by influenza viruses to cause infection. We aim to understand how this occurs and to test new treatments for influenza that suppress interferon-epsilon, in healthy and susceptible individuals.
Exploiting Increased Autophagy In Bronchial Epithelial Cells: A New Therapeutic Approach For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,161.00
Summary
COPD is incurable, a leading cause of death, and new therapies are urgently needed. Autophagy is a cell response to cell stress conditions, however increased autophagy is harmful. We will investigate the association of increased autophagy with COPD and smoking and evaluate therapies that can reduce autophagy, including zinc-related drugs and novel antibiotics that have been modified to lose their anti-bacterial activity.
Characterising The Pro-inflammatory Role Of IL-36γ/IL-36R In Pathogen-induced Exacerbations Of Asthma And COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,768.00
Summary
Lung infections cause exacerbations in patients with asthma and COPD and these are difficult to treat and can be life-threatening. We have discovered that the cytokine pathway, IL-36?/IL-36R, is linked to the host response to bacterial and viral infections that induce exacerbations in these patients. Our studies will provide new insight into the role IL-36?/IL-36R in infection, disease exacerbation and determine the therapeutic benefit of blocking this pathway.
Testing The Lung Microbiome To Predict Risk Of Frequent Exacerbations In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$666,052.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease of global importance. Exacerbations, mostly due to respiratory infection, are complications that lead to significant illness. This study will characterise the communities of microbes in the lung, and use this information to predict frequency of exacerbations of COPD measured over 12 months.