Adipose Distribution, Hepatic Lipid Partitioning And Pathogenesis Of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,601.00
Summary
The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes has led to increase incidence of fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a form of liver damage that can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, approximately 30% people store fat poorly, resulting in increased waist circumference and higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and NASH. Animal studies are now underway to determine the switch which turns “good fat” to “bad fat”, to identify ways of preventing diabet ....The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes has led to increase incidence of fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a form of liver damage that can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, approximately 30% people store fat poorly, resulting in increased waist circumference and higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and NASH. Animal studies are now underway to determine the switch which turns “good fat” to “bad fat”, to identify ways of preventing diabetes, NASH and other adverse outcomes of obesity.Read moreRead less
Targeting The Sympathetic Nervous System To Reduce The Burden Of Fatty Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$728,152.00
Summary
The metabolic syndrome is characterised by abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and an increased risk of diabetes development. It is clear from our own observations that the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is important in the generation of obesity-related illness and, through its stimulation of the liver, plays an important role in the development of obesity-related liver disease. We will target the SNS in order to reduce the burden of obesity-related liver disease.
Virological Determinants Of Drug Resistance In Real-world Patients With Chronic HCV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,718.00
Summary
New treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are emerging. These drugs directly target key events in the viral life cycle. While these drugs are effective, the ability of HCV to mutate means that drug resistance can arise, leading to treatment failure. This is most likely in patients who do not respond to interferon-based therapy. This proposal will use new, highly sensitive sequencing approaches to identify the viral mutations and evolutionary pathways that lead to drug resistance.
Studies On The Pathogenesis And Treatment Outcomes Of Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
The global impact of hepatitis B and hepatitis C has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization. The Fellowship will support a research program that will use new technologies to answer a number of important questions concerning the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B and C, interferon treatment response for HCV, and antiviral drug resistance. The outcomes of the research will be timely, clinically relevant, and of great interest to the international community. The ultimate goal is t ....The global impact of hepatitis B and hepatitis C has recently been recognized by the World Health Organization. The Fellowship will support a research program that will use new technologies to answer a number of important questions concerning the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B and C, interferon treatment response for HCV, and antiviral drug resistance. The outcomes of the research will be timely, clinically relevant, and of great interest to the international community. The ultimate goal is to improve clinical outcomes for patients.Read moreRead less
Monocytes/macrophages In Chronic Liver Diseases: Cross-talk With Hepatocytes And Nonparenchymal Cells And Role In Progressive Liver Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,645.00
Summary
More than 170 million people world-wide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. Approximately 10-15% of chronically infected subjects develop cirrhosis with its attendant risks of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The objective of this important project is to examine the mechanisms by which monocytes and macrophages (cells of the immune system) enhance or impair the progression of liver disease and response to antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
ANTIVIRAL DRUG RESISTANT HBV: PATHOGENIC AND ONCOGENIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ALTERED VIRAL ENVELOPE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$509,284.00
Summary
We aim to investigate the consequences of long-term therapy for hepatitis B on liver cancer progression. We propose that antiviral therapy is associated with persistent expression and accumulation of potentially oncogenic surface proteins in the liver. This can dramatically alter the viral lifecycle, particularly the HBsAg secretion pathway, which can cause serious effects in the host hepatocyte biology, including promoting pathways to tumour formation.