Immunological Prevention Of Hydatid Disease And Cysticercosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,340.00
Summary
This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffectiv ....This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffective and there is an urgent need for new tools to help control transmission of these important diseases. Previous research has shown that the animal hosts of these parasites can be protected from infection by vaccination. Prevention of infection in the parasites' animal hosts has the effect of breaking the parasite life cycle and indirectly removes the source of infection for humans. This project will further develop an existing vaccine against hydatid disease, will develop a new vaccine against cysticercosis and will participate in initial international parasite control campaigns based on application of these vaccines.Read moreRead less
Secreted Exosome-like Vesicles From The Carcinogenic Liver Fluke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$771,543.00
Summary
Parasitic liver flukes secrete microscopic cell-like vesicles into the bile ducts when feeding on infected humans. These vesicles, called exosomes, are taken up by the cells lining the bile ducts and promote them to become pre-cancerous. We will characterise the contents of these fluke exosomes and identify the key molecules on their surfaces that can be used to prevent exosome uptake by cells and ultimately form the basis of a vaccine that prevents fluke infection and subsequent liver cancer.
Defining Immune Regulation And T Cell Responses During Chronic Infectious Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,062.00
Summary
Chronic infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and leishmaniasis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. They are all characterised by severe immune dysfunction. We will study a parasitic infection to identify important immune cell populations and molecules that promote chronic infectious disease. This knowledge will enable the development of better treatments and vaccines for range of infectious diseases that affect people in many parts of the world.
Mechanisms Of In Vivo Modulation Of Granulomatous Inflammation In Human Schistosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,598.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic disease responsible for up to 300,000 deaths annually. The cause are blood flukes that produce considerable disease severity, resulting from host inflammation against the parasite eggs lodging in the liver, giving rise to fibrosis, liver damage, enlarged spleen and death. The pathogenesis is regulated by molecules called cytokines and this project will unravel the mechanisms that regulate disease progression to the severe forms of chronic schistosomiasis.
Biological Function Of The Chemokine Receptor 6 Expression On B Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,500.00
Summary
The correct movement of cells is important for the defence of the body against micro-organisms. White blood cells have to arrive quickly at the site of an infection and information about this infection has to be spread. White blood cells that navigate the body are using molecules on their surface termed as receptors which help them to detect the scent of their target. One of these receptors is located on white blood cells that produce antibodies and enables these cells to migrate to appropriate ....The correct movement of cells is important for the defence of the body against micro-organisms. White blood cells have to arrive quickly at the site of an infection and information about this infection has to be spread. White blood cells that navigate the body are using molecules on their surface termed as receptors which help them to detect the scent of their target. One of these receptors is located on white blood cells that produce antibodies and enables these cells to migrate to appropriate tissues . We want to know more about the biological role of this receptor and its functions during the immune response to pathogens. It would be of significant importance to understand the impact of these cell surface receptors in detail because this could open the possibility to new therapies of infectious diseases and chronic inflammation.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Immune Mechanisms By Pathogen Cysteine Proteases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,676.00
Summary
To survive, parasites have evolved many strategies to control the human immune system. We have identified an enzyme secreted by parasites that can manipulate cells of the immune system, subsequently preventing the development of inflammatory responses. We will investigate the mechanism involved and determine whether this enzyme could be exploited for therapeutic purposes to switch off inflammation in autoimmune disease such as type-1 diabetes.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, there ....Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, thereby breaking the parasite life-cycle and preventing the diseases being passed to humans. Substantial preliminary research has been undertaken by the applicant, including completion of successful preliminary vaccine trials. This project will optimise the vaccines and complete initial field trials in countries with high rates of disease transmission.Read moreRead less