Analysis Of Killer T Cell Geometry During An Anti-tumour Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Cancer is a major health problem around the world. Currently used treatment options of cancer have the drawback that they also damage healthy tissues. This limits the dosages that can be administered, frequently resulting in treatment failure. Anti-tumour killer T cells are a naturally occurring cell type that can cause tumour regression. In the present proposal, we explore how the efficiency of these cell-types can be further enhanced to induce rejection of progressing tumours.
Investigating The Mechanism And Consequences Of Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Detachment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,180.00
Summary
Killer cells are white blood cells that destroy cancerous cells. To move to their next target they must quickly detach from a dying target. Failure of detachment results in excessive inflammation and tumour escape. This project will discover the detachment signals required to ‘release’ a locked-on killer cell. This will lead to a deeper understanding of immune pathology and new ways of treating cancer.
Studies On The Role Of The MIP-3beta/SLC System In The Priming Phase Of The Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Response.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,250.00
Summary
Generation of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) is important for defence against viruses and cancer cells. However, when activated inappropriately, CTLs can contribute to diseases such as diabetes as well as transplant rejection. We intend to study the role of several recently-discovered proteins in this process. The outcome of this work may lead to the development of molecules that control CTL generation more specifically than existing therapeutics. Such inhibitors would potentially be useful in the tre ....Generation of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) is important for defence against viruses and cancer cells. However, when activated inappropriately, CTLs can contribute to diseases such as diabetes as well as transplant rejection. We intend to study the role of several recently-discovered proteins in this process. The outcome of this work may lead to the development of molecules that control CTL generation more specifically than existing therapeutics. Such inhibitors would potentially be useful in the treatment of a range of human diseases.Read moreRead less
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Synapse Formation And Serial Killing: When Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,688.00
Summary
Killer T cells are a specialised group of immune cells, which destroy cancerous and infected cells. When killer T cells find a target, they attach and secrete toxic molecules. It then detaches from the dying target, so that it may go on to kill other cells. If it doesn’t detach properly, it remains bound to the target cell and results in an improper immune response. This proposal will investigate how the killer cell detaches, which is essential for an efficient immune response.