Molecular Mechanisms In The Regulation Of Allergy And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,977,215.00
Summary
To understand the fundamental cellular and molecular processes that underpin the development of allergic disorders, viral infections of the respiratory tract and chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. There is particular interest in the role of immune cells, such T cells and granulocytes in these disorders, and in the processes that control their function. Understanding these processes will provide new insights into the immune system's role in health and disease, and help develop better ther ....To understand the fundamental cellular and molecular processes that underpin the development of allergic disorders, viral infections of the respiratory tract and chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung. There is particular interest in the role of immune cells, such T cells and granulocytes in these disorders, and in the processes that control their function. Understanding these processes will provide new insights into the immune system's role in health and disease, and help develop better therapies to treat inflammatory disorders.Read moreRead less
Proteinase Inhibitor 6: A Multifunctional Intracellular Serpin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,435.00
Summary
We have discovered and characterized an unusual protease inhibitor that is widely distributed in the body. We have shown that the inhibitor is present in immune cells that are responsible for fighting bacterial infection, and that its role is probably to protect these cells against a powerful endogenous protease produced to destroy ingested bacteria. The inhibitor probably has additonal roles because it is present in developing and adult brain, skin and other blood cells. In these tissues we hav ....We have discovered and characterized an unusual protease inhibitor that is widely distributed in the body. We have shown that the inhibitor is present in immune cells that are responsible for fighting bacterial infection, and that its role is probably to protect these cells against a powerful endogenous protease produced to destroy ingested bacteria. The inhibitor probably has additonal roles because it is present in developing and adult brain, skin and other blood cells. In these tissues we have evidence that inhibitor regulates other, unidentified, proteases. The purpose of this grant is to identify these proteases, and to elucidate the physiological significance of the inhibitor by studying mice that lack it.Read moreRead less