Vaccines that deposit memory T cells within the lung, gut and genital tract hold enormous therapeutic potential, as these mucosal surfaces are major portals of entry into the body for many viruses. However, the accumulation of large numbers of T cells within the mucosal tissue may increase the number of target cells for T cell trophic viruses (eg HIV) to infect. We will explore factors that result in the generation of mucosal memory T cells that are resistant to virus infection.
Characterization Of MAIT Cell Function And Frequency At The Rectal Mucosa And Gastrointestinal Tract During HIV/SIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This project focuses on determining how HIV infection alters the function of rare, unconventional immune cell populations in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells are not well described in humans or primate models of HIV infection, but we will determine whether these cells are depleted by HIV infection and whether there are interventions that can boost the function of these cells in order better fight HIV infection.
Long Lived, Virus Resistant Resident Memory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Vaccines that deposit memory T cells within the lung, gut and genital tract hold enormous therapeutic potential, as these mucosal surfaces are major portals of entry into the body for many viruses. However, the accumulation of large numbers of T cells within the mucosal tissue may increase the number of target cells for T cell trophic viruses (eg HIV) to infect. We will explore factors that are important in the generation of mucosal memory T cells that are also resistant to virus infection.
Cellular And Molecular Pathways Regulating Airway Mucosal Dendritic Cells During Onset Of Allergic Airways Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$491,065.00
Summary
Allergic airways inflammation (AAI), which leads to debilitating disease such as allergic asthma, is a condition medaited by the abnormal activity of the immune system towards essentially harmless inhlaed allergens. Two special cell types of the immmune system that are important in controlloing the onset and persistence of AAI are known as dendritic cells (DC) and T helper type 2 cells (Th2 cells). DC are located in all parts of the respiratory tract and are important in providing control signal ....Allergic airways inflammation (AAI), which leads to debilitating disease such as allergic asthma, is a condition medaited by the abnormal activity of the immune system towards essentially harmless inhlaed allergens. Two special cell types of the immmune system that are important in controlloing the onset and persistence of AAI are known as dendritic cells (DC) and T helper type 2 cells (Th2 cells). DC are located in all parts of the respiratory tract and are important in providing control signals to Th2 cells to become switched on and start to react to an inhaled allergen. Th2 cells then generate a variety of signals that initiate an cascade of immune responses towards the allergen that ultimately can lead to AAI and asthma if left unchecked, however this process remians relatively poorly understood. This project aims to examine how DC and Th2 interact, and at what level DC activity can be regulated so that unchecked Th2 immunity to harmless inhaled allergens can be controlled. The hope is to be able to identify new cellular and molecular pathways that can eventually become the target for new generations of preventative and therapeutic drugs.Read moreRead less
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
A Novel Strategy To Enhance T Cell-mediated Immunity To Vaccine Antigens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,592.00
Summary
Globally there are about 33 million people living with HIV. The disease has already resulted in 23 million deaths and 2.5 million people are newly infected each year. Similarly, TB kills nearly 2 million people every year and infects about 1% of the worldÍs population every year. A vaccine is the best and also likely the only long-term solution for HIV/TB disease prevention. This research proposal looks at novel strategies to increase the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as HIV/TB.
Understanding And Improving The Non-human Primate Model For Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine-induced Mucosal Immunity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$302,123.00
Summary
The overall aim of this project if to generate a more effective vaccination for HIV, using an animal model of the disease. We will test vaccination methods targeting immunity to the reproductive tract, in order to attack the virus where it is usually first encountered.
MAIT cells are a recently discovered type of lymphocyte that plays a unique and important role in the immune system. However, these cells vary widely in number between healthy individuals, for reasons that are unclear. This project is designed to understand the factors that control the development of MAIT cells as a step toward regulating their numbers and activity.
I am a Clinical Immunologist, Immunopathologist, clinical researcher and laboratory scientist exploring the interactions between T cell and viral infections. My area of particular interest is the mechanisms by which HIV infection subverts effective T cel