Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a smoking-induced lung disease that is the fourth leading cause of death in Australia. The immune system is highly likely to play an important role in the progression of this condition, because of the frequency of respiratory infections that occur. We will examine in detail the immune response of COPD patients, examining specific genes and proteins that are important in the defence against bacteria. Blood samples will be obtained from people with C ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a smoking-induced lung disease that is the fourth leading cause of death in Australia. The immune system is highly likely to play an important role in the progression of this condition, because of the frequency of respiratory infections that occur. We will examine in detail the immune response of COPD patients, examining specific genes and proteins that are important in the defence against bacteria. Blood samples will be obtained from people with COPD who are stable. We will then obtain further blood samples when there is a flare-up of the lung condition, and during recovery. We will compare the results from the blood samples, with variations in the genes that people carry. Information about individual differences in the body's response to infection would help us to better understand how COPD develops, and to initiate research on new methods of diagnosis and treatment of COPD.Read moreRead less
Pathophysiological Correlates In Smokers And Smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$283,500.00
Summary
Smoking-related chronic airway narrowing (COPD) is a common and major illness. Research on the characteristics of the actual pathological process in the airways in smokers and COPD using direct tissue sample is relatively new. Data is currently limited and rather contradictory. In this grant we will recruit a spectrum of smokers and COPD patients typical of those in the Australian community and will be undertaking a detailed analysis of the cellular and some vascular structural changes in the ai ....Smoking-related chronic airway narrowing (COPD) is a common and major illness. Research on the characteristics of the actual pathological process in the airways in smokers and COPD using direct tissue sample is relatively new. Data is currently limited and rather contradictory. In this grant we will recruit a spectrum of smokers and COPD patients typical of those in the Australian community and will be undertaking a detailed analysis of the cellular and some vascular structural changes in the airway wall. Both cellular and vascular changes will be related to the fixed and reversible component of airway obstruction. Reversible changes with smoking cessation will be studied. A very novel feature will be a preliminary assessment of the utility of proteomics for assessment of airway pathology.Read moreRead less
Centre Of Research Excellence In Pulmonary And Environmental Medicine.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,007,200.00
Summary
This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our ot ....This Centre will study inhalational lung diseases, ie diseases caused by substances such as asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens. Australia has of the highest incidences in the world of at least 2 of the diseases to be studied, asbestos- and allergen-induced lung diseases. These two alone are estimated to cost the Australian economy over $100 million -yr and $1 billion respectively in direct health costs plus loss of productivity and compensation. Furthermore COPD on of our other major areas of interest is the 4th leading cause of death in males and conservatively costs the economy over one billion dollars per year as well as being the leading cause of disability in the elderly. It is predicted that COPD will be the 4th most common disease worldwide by 2020. As such this area of study is important for Australia and internationally and any advances will deliver major economic and health benefits. We will study the role of blood and sputum tests in the diagnosis, monitoring, screening and management of lung diseases caused by asbestos, cigarette smoke, air pollutants and allergens ie. mesothelioma, asthma, COPD and lung cancer. We will apply modern DNA 'gene chip' methods to study the pathogenesis of these diseases and help us to identify new treatment targets. This will also be used to guide genetic searches for polymorphism's, spliced variants and DNA modification(epigentics) in COPD and lung cancer. Genetic studies of sensitivity to air pollution will be used to define at risk patients We will also evaluate how the method of cell death that occurs during some therapies eg. in cancer and allergy-asthma, might alter how the body responds and thus help us develop novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This research program should lead to new tests and treatments and at the same time promote the training of a new generation of young researchers in this field and so ensure that the work continues long termRead moreRead less
Dr Reid is a respiratory physician determining the relationships between bacterial pathogen behaviour and the host immune response in Cystic Fibrosis. The aim of his research is to use observations made in the clinical setting to develop novel therapeutics and identification of biomarkers that will be employed to pre-empt and better treat clinical disease with the ultimate aim of improving length and quality of life.
Restoring Skeletal Muscle In An Experimental Model Of COPD By Targeting The IGF-1-myostatin-macrophage Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,183.00
Summary
Most people think that the serious disabilities of COPD (emphysema) patients follows damage to their lungs but wasted muscles may be even more important. We can not regrow lung but we have found a way that might help regrow muscle. We plan to use stem cells to make one of the body's own cells called 'macrophages' and genetically engineer these cells to help deliver healing proteins directly into the muscle. Making muscle stronger will help COPD patients live longer and improve quality of life.
I am a clinical scientist conducting translational and implementation research to improve diagnosis, management and understanding of airway diseases including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchiectasis and persistent cough.
Response Of Human Airways To Deep Inflation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$281,037.00
Summary
The trachea and bronchi contain muscle that when it contracts narrows the air passages and makes it harder to breath. In healthy people taking a deep breath relaxes this airway muscle and improved breathing. However, in people who suffer from asthma and chronic airflow obstruction deep breaths do not have the normal relaxing actions on airway contraction. This study will use lung removed as part of surgery for lung cancer to study how the relaxing actions of deep breathing work in human airways.