De Novo Mutations And The Pathogenesis Of Childhood-onset Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,406,510.00
Summary
This project aims to reveal the gene abnormalities that cause devastating autoimmune diseases to develop in some children, such as Type 1 diabetes, juvenile arthritis and autoimmune destruction of blood cells. The project will use new technologies to identify alterations in the DNA sequence of a child compared to either of their parents, and to test suspicious DNA alterations in laboratory mice in order to understand the gene effects and evaluate new treatments.
Analysis Of Human CD4+ T-cell Responses To Epitopes Formed By Peptide Fusion In The Pathogenesis Of Type 1 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,239,989.00
Summary
Type 1 diabetes is caused by immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-secreting beta cells. Recently we discovered new targets ‘seen’ by the immune system that may explain why the immune system causes type 1 diabetes. Here we will determine if responses to these targets cause type 1 diabetes. This is important because it tests a new idea and our results will have a major impact on efforts to develop new therapies for type 1 diabetes an other autoimmune diseases.
The Role Of The T Cell Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase In Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$654,725.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, Crohns disease & rheumatoid arthritis collectively affect ~5% of Australians & are associated with the immune system attacking the body’s organs as if they were a foreign infection. Genetic studies in humans & animal studies point towards the enzyme TCPTP being important in the prevention of autoimmunity. This proposal will define the molecular & cellular pathways by which TCPTP prevents autoimmunity.
The Molecular Basis Of Human CD4+ T-cell Responses In Autoimmune Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$656,498.00
Summary
Over 120,000 Australians currently suffer from type 1 diabetes. This incurable disease typically strikes in childhood or adolescence and is caused by the immune system destroying the cells which make insulin. This project aims to determine how and why the insulin producing cells are recognized by the immune system. Eventually this work will lead to new vacccines to prevent the immune system from destroying the insulin producing cells.