The glomerulus is the filtering component of the kidney. In many diseases, it can be the target of an inappropriate inflammatory response. As part of this response, white blood cells accumulate in the glomerulus where they cause damage. In this project, we make use of special microscopes to examine the glomerulus during an inflammatory response, with the aim of understanding the actions of leukocytes present in glomeruli and how they cause inflammation and damage the glomerulus.
Regulation Of Leukocyte Recruitment In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis and atherosclerosis, white blood cells enter affected tissues causing inflammation and tissue destruction. This research will investigate the processes whereby white blood cells enter affected tissues, particularly how they exit the circulation, and migrate throughout tissues during inflammatory responses. An improved understanding of this process may identify new ways of interfering with the disease process in various inflammatory diseases.
Role Of Tetraspanins In Integrin Function And Leukocyte Migration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$419,223.00
Summary
Cell migration is a very important component of the immune system. White blood cells, migrate from tissues to lymph nodes to initiate immune responses, and can migrate from blood to sites of inflammation to fight infection. This grant studies a type of protein called a tetraspanin that we believe controls white blood cell migration. Understanding the precise role of tetraspanins in this process will further our understanding of inflammation in disease processes.
Dissecting The Function Of Heparanase In Inflammatory Disease Using Genetic Tissue-specific Ablation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,848.00
Summary
This project aims to define the role of the enzyme heparanase in a number of important diseases, namely Inflammatory-autoimmune diseases such as multiple scelorosis and rheumatiod arthritis, and the growth and spread of cancer. Heparanase has been implicated for many years in promoting these diseases however its precise contribution has not beed defined. These studies will provide definitive information whether heparanase is a valid therapuetic target in these important disease settings.
Investigate The Role Of PAF And CD40 Ligand In Regulating The Proinflammatory Properties Of Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,270.00
Summary
The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlyin ....The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlying the function of both blood cell types is their ability to stick (or adhere) to each other. However the way in which they coordinate this adhesion is very complex. New information from our laboratory has demonstrated that the sticky behaviour of each cell type is spatially and temporally regulated, and may involve may factors both inside and outside of the cells themselves. Our studies aim to define the key components regulating the 'stickiness' of these blood cells, in order to undertand how they contribute to maintaining healthy vessel walls, but also how their stickiness may also contribute to the promotion of diseased vessels. This information will not only increase our knowledge of the factors that regulate blood clot formation, but may also assist in the development of new therapies to prevent and-or treat vessel disease.Read moreRead less
Conventional And Unconventional T Cells In Interstitial Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,531.00
Summary
Acute damage to the kidney is a common life-threatening condition. Recent studies have shown that less well-studied types of immune cells contribute to kidney damage. However, how these cells enter and injure the kidney is unknown. In this project we will use a special microscope to look into the blood vessels of the kidney and visualise the cells inside kidney blood vessels in order to uncover their behaviour as they respond to acute inflammatory insult to the kidney.
Monocytes On Patrol – Key Mediators Of Renal Injury In Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,888.00
Summary
The glomerulus is the filtering component of the kidney. In many diseases, it can be the target of an inappropriate inflammatory response. As part of this response, white blood cells accumulate in the glomerulus where they cause damage. In this project, we make use of special microscopes to examine the glomerulus during an inflammatory response, with the aim of understanding the actions of white blood cells present in glomeruli and how they cause inflammation and damage the glomerulus.
Understanding Leukocyte Function In Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and lupus, white blood cells accumulate in organs and cause injury. The focus of this project is to understand how white blood cells leave the bloodstream and enter tissues. In particular, this project examines their contribution to inflammatory diseases of the kidney. By understanding this process in greater detail, we may be able to design more specific therapies to combat these conditions.