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Adoptive Cell Transfer Incorporating Vaccination (ACTIV) Therapy For Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,950.00
Summary
We have made a breakthrough in a new treatment for cancer that can destroy large tumours in mice. The treatment involves a transfusion of white blood cells and an injection of a vaccine. In this project, we will seek to understand how the treatment works, and apply it to human white blood cells in preparation for a clinical trial in cancer patients.
Generating Stronger And Smarter T Cells For Cancer Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,332.00
Summary
White blood cells from cancer patients can be modified in the laboratory to react against tumours. These cells can then be given back to the patient, which can sometimes cause cancer regression. However, often the white blood cells lack strength, or they lack the ability to distinguish between tumour and normal tissues of the body. In this project we seek to make stronger and smarter white blood cells that can deliver a lethal hit against tumours without damaging essential organs of the body.
This project proposes to identify novel components and develop new inhibitors of an epigenetic pathway known to control the immune cells that cause allergic asthma. Our objective is to use these drugs to treat allergic disease.
The Role Of The Transcription Factor Blimp-1 In Tumour Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$642,674.00
Summary
Regulatory T (Treg) cells function by suppressing immune system activity, ensuring that our immune system does not mount a response against our own tissue. In cancer, Treg cells suppress anti-tumour immunity, facilitating tumour growth. Recently we have identified a group of active Treg cells that may be the key drivers of immune response regulation. Our work will examine the role of these active Treg cells in tumour immunity, opening the door to more effective targeting of Treg cells in cancer.
Delineating Aberrant Adaptive Immune Responses Due To Germline Mutations In The PI3K Signalling Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$975,476.00
Summary
Activation of immune cells is required to generate appropriate immune responses that protect is from disease caused by pathogens. The inability to receive the correct type of signals causes immunodeficiency. The PI3 kinase pathway is central to immune cell activation – and genetic errors in this pathwat compromise the functioning of immune cells. We will investigate the nature of these defects and pursue avenues of overcoming them using pharmacological inhibitors of the PI3K pathway.
Leptin As A Natural Regulator Of TFH Cell Differentiation And Vaccination Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,901.00
Summary
Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells constitute a CD4+ T cell subset that plays an instrumental role to support protective antibody responses in infection and vaccination. Although malnutrition is associated with poor vaccine responses and increased risks of infections, the mechanism is poorly understood. We will investigate the mechanism by which leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose cells, regulates Tfh cell function and vaccination response.
Sytemic And Mucosal Functional Antibodies In Protection Against HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$559,501.00
Summary
Only one human HIV vaccine has shown any level of protective efficacy. However the mechanisms behind how this vaccine was protective are still not fully understood. Additionally, HIV is primarily transmitted through mucosal sites, however very little is know about vaccine immune responses at these sites. Thus this proposal aims to further define the mechanisms of antibody protection against HIV at both systemic and mucosal locations, in order to guide future HIV vaccine design efforts.
Structural And Functional Investigation Of Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$546,966.00
Summary
Natural Killer (NK) cells are an important component of the immune response to cancer and infection. This project will define the molecular targets that are recognised by NK cells. This knowledge can then be used as a guide in the selection of bone marrow donors in the treatment of leukaemias as well as understanding how we fight infections.
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
PH-dependent, Antibody-mediated Enhancement Of Genital Chlamydial Infection: Implications For Vaccine Design ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,228.00
Summary
Antibody found in cervicovaginal secretions is predominantly of the IgG subclass. In the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract IgG antibodies against surface antigens on Chlamydia may actually enhance rather than prevent infection, due to uptake of IgG-coated bacteria by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which is found on the surface of epithelial cells in the reproductive tract. The proposed studies will determine the effects of chlamydial antibodies on the course of infection.