Epigenetic Regulation Of Lymphoid Cell Development And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,950.00
Summary
Inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma are caused by unregulated white blood cells called CD4 T cells. Why certain people develop hyperactive CD4 T cells is not clear but a understanding how CD4 T cells are regulated will help inform future therapies. Our research focuses on one enzyme called G9a that modifies proteins that control immune cell function. Our goal is to define the role of this enzyme in inflammation to aid in drug development.
The Role Of Cross-reactive T Cells In Severe Lung Disease Following Viral Respiratory Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,003,390.00
Summary
Why do some patients clinically deteriorate at a greater rate than others during acute respiratory viral infections despite similar or identical clinical management? One explanation is the reactivation immunity towards ubiquitous viruses that then go on to cross-react against the new respiratory pathogen leading to an overly aggressive and destructive response in the lung. We will examine this potential of existing anti-viral immune responses to exacerbate disease in lung transplantation, as suc
Targeting Caspase 8 In T-Cell Homeostasis And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,215,780.00
Summary
Chronic infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and tuberculosis impose a massive global health burden and new treatments are desperately needed. This proposal investigates a new approach to improve immune responses and clear chronic infections. Our multidisciplinary team will define the molecular and cellular biology underlying this approach and translate our findings by re-purposing a drug already approved for other indications in humans.
Transcriptional Regulation Of T Lymphocyte And Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
Differentation of lymphocytes is a fundamental process in protection against disease . A small number of proteins critically regulate the decisions the cells make in becoming effective antigen presenting cells (that stimulate other immune cells), effector cells (that kill pathogen infected cells) or memory cells (that are essential for protection against secondary infections). Understanding this process and its regulation is critical to therapeutic treatment of autoimmune and infectious disease.
Mechanisms Regulating Establishment Of Persistent Herpesvirus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$511,446.00
Summary
Herpesviruses are a major cause of disease worldwide and are amongst the most successful human pathogens, with some viruses infecting more than 80% of the world's population. This group of viruses persist and reactivate in hosts and induce immunosuppression.The control of herpesviruses infections thus represents an important clinical goal. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the induction of viral persistence and immunosuppression is a crucial step towards developing better therapies.
B Cell Survival And Responsiveness In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,584.00
Summary
I am an immunologist focused on identifying how B lymphocytes, the cells responsible for producing antibodies, survive and participate in immune responses within the body. I achieve this by using specially designed, genetically modified, mice that allow me to follow B lymphocytes within the body and identify their key genetic and external controls. My work is relevant to vaccine development as well as the control of certain autoimmune diseases and B lymphocyte cancers.
Influence Of TCR Signals From Contact With Self-MHC Ligands On Naive T Cell Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,658.00
Summary
A diverse repertoire of naive T cells constitutes a critical part of the adaptive immune system and protects hosts from various infections and cancer. T cells are stably maintained at a constant number in the periphery by mechanisms that are not clearly understood. This proposal will shed light on how the immune system preserves a diverse na�ve T cell pool able to respond against various foreign antigens, while preventing their harmful auto-reactivity to self antigens.
The Axis Of Bcl-2, Plasmacytoid DCs And Lupus As A Basis For Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$712,172.00
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects 1 in 1000 Australians, mostly women. Here the immune system goes awry and makes antibodies against the body’s own components including the body’s DNA. This leads to damage to many parts of the body including kidneys, joints, brain and heart. It is incurable. A particular immune cell controls the development of this disease and we have found this cell is selectively killed by an inexpensive drug, which we hope will be a better way of treating SLE.