Improved Gene Therapy Strategies For Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,517.00
Summary
Many people develop problems with the blood vessels in the lungs, which then leads to a narrowing of these vessels and consequently a back-pressure strain on the heart. These disorders can arise from inherited diseases of the blood vessels themselves, or from accquired lung disease (for example due to smoking or chronic infections). At present there are few treatments which have any benefits for these patients and many must undergo lung or heart-lung transplantation. This project is desigened bo ....Many people develop problems with the blood vessels in the lungs, which then leads to a narrowing of these vessels and consequently a back-pressure strain on the heart. These disorders can arise from inherited diseases of the blood vessels themselves, or from accquired lung disease (for example due to smoking or chronic infections). At present there are few treatments which have any benefits for these patients and many must undergo lung or heart-lung transplantation. This project is desigened both to find out new information about the disease process that affects the lung blood vessels and to offer a strategy for new treatments. The project will use a crippled form of the cold virus to deliver genes to the lining of the lung blood vessels, then see what impact that has on the pressure within the vessels and the ways in which they respond to certain stresses. These studies will be carried out using laboratory animals. If successful, it may be possible to eventually design such viruses to deliver genes which have a helpful therapeutic impact on the disease in patients.Read moreRead less
Breathing In Chronic Heart Failure: Is There Novel Pulmonary Compensation?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,021.00
Summary
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a growing modern epidemic and therefore a costly health burden in Australia. Not only is it associated with a high mortality rate, symptoms of CHF are a major cause of patient suffering. Shortness of breath and exercise intolerance are both indicators of a link between CHF and lung function. There are a number of different ways in which CHF may be impacting on breathing and in this project we will be utilising an animal model to examine some of them. Firstly, the l ....Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a growing modern epidemic and therefore a costly health burden in Australia. Not only is it associated with a high mortality rate, symptoms of CHF are a major cause of patient suffering. Shortness of breath and exercise intolerance are both indicators of a link between CHF and lung function. There are a number of different ways in which CHF may be impacting on breathing and in this project we will be utilising an animal model to examine some of them. Firstly, the lung secretes a substance called surfactant which assists in normal breathing by decreasing surface tension in the lung. Previous studies in our laboratory have suggested an increase in surfactant production during CHF. In this project we will further examine this process to see if increased surfactant can aid breathing by decreasing surface tension during CHF. Secondly, we will examine the contribution made by the chest wall, increased heart size, lung volume and blood pressure during CHF on breathing. Thirdly, one of the problems thought to inhibit breathing in CHF patients is an increase in fluid in the lungs. The final stage of this project will examine the trasport of fluid into and out of the lung during CHF. This project will not only increase our understanding of the processes affecting breathing in response to CHF, but will also provide information for the development of potential therapeutic targets.Read moreRead less
Effects Of Modification Of Dietary Sodium Intake On Endothelial Function In Obese Subjects
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,920.00
Summary
The effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure are well known. The damaging direct effects of salt on blood vessels is less well known. This study will clarify whether reducing salt to the amount recommended by Australian health authorities for 6 weeks has a beneficial effect on blood vessels. It builds on an earlier 2 week study which demonstrated that reducing salt intake had a beneficial effect on blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to show whether this benefit is maintained in a ....The effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure are well known. The damaging direct effects of salt on blood vessels is less well known. This study will clarify whether reducing salt to the amount recommended by Australian health authorities for 6 weeks has a beneficial effect on blood vessels. It builds on an earlier 2 week study which demonstrated that reducing salt intake had a beneficial effect on blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to show whether this benefit is maintained in a longer study over 6 weeks.Read moreRead less
Cytokine And Macrophage Determinants Of Pulmonary Inflammation During Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$455,899.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) infects 33% of the world, causing over 2 million deaths per year. TB disease causes damaging lung pathology and new therapies to treat the infection and moderate inflammation are urgently required. TNF is essential for immunity to TB, acting to modulate inflammation. This grant will determine how soluble and membrane- bound TNF regulate the cellular and cytokine control of TB pathology and may lead to new therapies to limit inflammation in TB and other inflammatory diseases.
Too few blood platelets leads to fatal haemorrhage, and patients with low platelet counts require transfusions to prevent bleeding. We have recently discovered the key to keeping platelets alive, and now propose the critical experiments which will teach us how to manipulate it and allow platelets to live longer. Our team leads the world in this field. If successful we expect to improve blood bank platelet storage, and boost the supply of platelets available to patients in need of transfusion.