Dendritic Cells And CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein-delta (CEBP?) In Neuroinflammation And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,538.00
Summary
This projects aims to develop new treatments by finding the cells and chemicals that naturally stop inflammation in the central nervous system in diseases like MS. It also aims to test new treatments by delivering them to where this inflammation takes place. This targeted delivery should mean fewer side effects because the rest of the body is not exposed to the treatment. Hopefully this will reduce the impact of these diseases on the community, and reduce side effects for the patient.
The Development Of Selective And Potent Kv1.3 Ion Channel Blockers For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$233,187.00
Summary
Building on the well-established path of developing drugs from Nature, the amplification of some unusual qualities of a naturally-occurring substance, khellinone, could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Designed variants of khellinone are known to be very effective at preventing the destructive impact of the body's own T cells on the central nervous system that occurs in autoimmune disease.
Determining The Mechanisms Of Tolerance After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation For Multiple Sclerosis – The Role Of CD39+ T Regulatory Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant offers relief for patients with aggressive forms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Here, we aim to understand how this therapy relieves symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients by studying the biology of CD39+ T regulatory cells. Understanding these immune-suppressing cells can lead to the development of new transplant procedures without chemotherapy and ultimately improve transplant outcomes for autoimmune disease patients.
Investigations In Multiple Sclerosis Patients With Coexistent Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,100.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurological disease affecting over one million people around the world. MS is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which a person's own immune cells start to attack components of the brain and spinal cord. However, it is thought that the same components are not attacked in all patients, and that the pathway that leads to MS varies from one person to another. Therefore, in order to develop successful treatment strategies for MS, it will be ....Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurological disease affecting over one million people around the world. MS is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which a person's own immune cells start to attack components of the brain and spinal cord. However, it is thought that the same components are not attacked in all patients, and that the pathway that leads to MS varies from one person to another. Therefore, in order to develop successful treatment strategies for MS, it will be necessary to look for patterns in the clinical symptoms and signs and other features of a person's MS that may give clues as to which particular pathway is leading to disease in that person. Some people who develop MS also develop other autoimmune diseases, or have these other diseases before they develop MS, or have other family members who have other autoimmune diseases. We have recently found that people who have the same combination of coexistent MS and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) show similar clinical signs of MS, and tend to have damage (lesions) to the same areas of their nervous system. This suggests that these people may have the same underlying pathways leading to the development of MS, and that they may be a very informative group in which to look for immune or genetic abnormalities that might explain why they develop MS. This project will investigate people who have both MS and AITD and other members of their families to see if we can work out what the links are between having the same combination of autoimmune diseases and developing lesions in particular parts of the nervous system. It will provide information on the pathways that lead to the development of MS, and information obtained from this study may eventually be of use in developing more specific therapeutic agents, by tailoring therapies to specific people with MS, depending on the clinical and immunological profile of that person.Read moreRead less
Immune Tolerance In Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Following Transplant Of Bone Marrow Cells Genetically Encoding Autoantigen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,143.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases affect 5-6% of the population and include diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Our studies focus on examining a gene therapy approach together with bone marrow transplantation to treating autoimmune diseases. Using a model for multiple sclerosis we are finding promising results
Understanding Determinant Selection In Autoimmune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
Understanding what the immune system perceives during infection or in autoimmunity is key to the development of improved vaccines and therapies for a variety of human diseases. This proposal builds on leading research into the definition of targets of immunity in autoimmune diseases using cutting edge proteomic technologies. The proposal focuses on type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and will delineate candidate therapeutic molecules.
I am the leading scientist studying a factor named BAFF and discovered its role in autoimmunity. BAFF inhibitors are effective in late stage clinical trials treating lupus patients. Our new work shows that BAFF has other fascinating roles, in particular the ability to control effects from some microbes capable of activating autoimmune and inflammatory reactions. This new work is leading us to the development of an entirely new generation of therapeutics treating autoimmunity and inflammation.
Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15), CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein Delta (CEBPD) And Neuroinflammtion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
I will develop new therapies for multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. I will also evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic uses for macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15) that was discovered in Australia. I will confirm its use in screening for bowel cancer. Also, I will look at using it in the indigenous and wider Australian community to improve health and close the gap in life expectancy. Finally, I will conduct trials of MIC-1/GDF15 therapy of obesity and inflammation.