THE ROLE OF THE HEPATOCYTE HEDGEHOG PATHWAY IN PROGRESSIVE LIVER INJURY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,876.00
Summary
This research plan investigates the role of a pathway, known as the Hedgehog pathway, in the development of liver disease which can result in end-stage scarring known as cirrhosis and even lead to liver cancer (known as Hepatocellular carcinoma). Hepatocellular carcinoma is the globally the third most common cause of cancer death and our research will help to better understand how liver injury develops and how this then leads to liver cancer.
Proatherogenic CD4 NKT Cells And Atherosclerosis: Molecular Mechanisms And Therapeutic Strategies For Suppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,348.00
Summary
Immune cells called CD4+ iNKT cells are known to be activated by lipids which initiate development of atherosclerosis, a disorder of blood vessels which is responsible for most heart attacks and strokes. We aim to investigate how these cells contribute to the development of this important blood vessel disoder and examine potential ways of inhibiting their activation to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
G-CSF: A Pathogenic Effector In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Its Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,551.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an incurable lung disease that is a huge global health burden, and new therapies are urgently needed. We have recently discovered a possible cause of COPD. This single factor also appears to drive other associated medical problems that are the biggest contributors to patient deterioration. Using advanced genetics, biochemistry and molecular methods we are searching for ways to turn our discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
After infection with viruses, parasites and bacteria the protein SerpinB2 becomes very abundant in macrophages, which are white blood cells involved in inflammation. Unfortunately, what this protein is doing is very unclear. We have found that macrophage SerpinB2 dampens the responses of other immune cells. This grant aims to determine how this is achieved and thereby help resolve the role of this protein in a number of diseases such as cancer, lupus, asthma and pre-eclampsia.
The Role Of MicroRNAs As New Anti-inflammatory Targets For The Treatment Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,655.00
Summary
Asthma is a significant health and economic burden to our society and its prevalence has increased over the last 25 years. New ways of treating asthma are urgently required as current therapeutics treat the symptoms and not the cause of the disease. Asthma is widely thought to be due to the abnormal accumulation of white blood cells (inflammation) in the lungs of diseased individuals. In this project we are exploring new advanced ways to inhibit inflammation and the development of disease.
Role Of IL-3 In Allergic Inflammation: Modulation Of Basophils, Mast Cells, Eosinophils And Remodelling In Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,380.00
Summary
Asthma is an important disease in the Australian community. We will investigate how the underlying inflammation in this disease is controlled and will focus our studies on a hormone-like regulator of the immune system called interleukin-3. Our hypothesis is that interleukin-3 regulates basophils, mast cells and remodelling of the airways which are central features of asthma. This study will give a better understanding of how the inflammation is caused and information for new drug targets.
The Role Of MicroRNAs In The Regulation Of Antiviral And Inflammatory Responses During Experimental Rhinovirus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,096.00
Summary
Asthma exacerbations due to viral infections are a major health and economic burden to our society. Treatment of asthma exacerbations focuses on reducing the symptoms rather than the cause of the disease. Virus-induced asthma exacerbation are widely thought to be due to an abnormal influx of white blood cells into the lungs (inflammation) and an altered anti-viral responses. In this project we will explore novel strategies to inhibit inflammation and to promote the anti-viral response.
Mechanisms And Treatment Of Early Life Chlamydial Infection And Associated Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$616,195.00
Summary
Asthma is a serious respiratory disease that results from certain immune responses to allergens and there are no cures. Immune responses and lung structure may be permanently altered by respiratory chlamydial infection early in life that leads to reduced lung function and asthma but how this occurs is unknown. In this project we will determine how early life infections affect immune responses, lung function and asthma and test novel treatments and preventions for infection-associated asthma.