Persistent Particles And Monocyte/macrophage Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$356,232.00
Summary
The project studies how a type of white blood cell interacts with damaged tissue at a site of inflammation, such as an occluded vessel or a brain plaque, and also with immunological adjuvants. It is believed that the nature of the material to be removed is critical in determining the effect on the white blood cell such that it can stay longer at the site and cause more damage or stimulate more immunity, respectively. The ultimate goal is to understand the cellular biochemistry responsible to hel ....The project studies how a type of white blood cell interacts with damaged tissue at a site of inflammation, such as an occluded vessel or a brain plaque, and also with immunological adjuvants. It is believed that the nature of the material to be removed is critical in determining the effect on the white blood cell such that it can stay longer at the site and cause more damage or stimulate more immunity, respectively. The ultimate goal is to understand the cellular biochemistry responsible to help diseases, such as atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, and to improve the quality of human adjuvants.Read moreRead less
Procoagulant Expression In The Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,527.00
Summary
This study proposes to investigate how white blood cells contribute to clotting that occurs in patients with an immune disorder called the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. This condition is more common than is generally known, and accounts for about one fifth of clots in the legs and about one third of strokes that occur in young people. It is also a common cause of miscarriages. The study focuses on how activation of the immune system, and inflammation interact to make certain white blood cells expre ....This study proposes to investigate how white blood cells contribute to clotting that occurs in patients with an immune disorder called the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. This condition is more common than is generally known, and accounts for about one fifth of clots in the legs and about one third of strokes that occur in young people. It is also a common cause of miscarriages. The study focuses on how activation of the immune system, and inflammation interact to make certain white blood cells express a molecule called Tissue Factor, which initiates blood clots.Read moreRead less
Cell Migration And Granuloma Formation In The Expression Of Protective Immunity Against Tuberculosis In The Lung
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$212,036.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) remains an enormous problem worldwide and a continuing health problem in Australia. Most TB is not due to disease at the time of infection, but is a reactivation of dormant infection in people who have never eradicated the organisms. This study will investigate, in mice, how TB is initially contained within the lungs and how reactivation occurs. All mice infected with TB control the infection initially. T lymphocytes are activated and T cells and macrophages are recruited to th ....Tuberculosis (TB) remains an enormous problem worldwide and a continuing health problem in Australia. Most TB is not due to disease at the time of infection, but is a reactivation of dormant infection in people who have never eradicated the organisms. This study will investigate, in mice, how TB is initially contained within the lungs and how reactivation occurs. All mice infected with TB control the infection initially. T lymphocytes are activated and T cells and macrophages are recruited to the lung, migrate into lung tissue and surround infected lung macrophages forming granulomas. We have identified mice that progress to TB disease early after infection (early progressor strains) and another strain that progresses later (late progressors). In the early progressors, lymphocytes are not as efficiently recruited to the lung and do not form the tight granulomas seen in late progressor strains. We plan to make a detailed comparison of these two strains looking at differences in cell-membrane molecules and the soluble messenger molecules (cytokines and chemokines) that provide the signals that attract cells to the lung and direct them to surround infected lung macrophages. By comparing events in early and late progressor strains we will find which molecules are required for initial and long-term containment, and which events lead to breakdown of granulomas and reactivation of disease. In addition, we recently showed that one cytokine, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), is essential for cell migration through the lung. By comparing normal mice with mice deficient in TNF we will study the downstream effects regulated by TNF, particularly the chemokine messengers that direct cell movement into granulomas. By identifying the molecules and cells required to control TB we plan to design improved vaccines to prevent TB infection and improved treatments to prevent disease reactivation.Read moreRead less