Immune Recognition Of Upper Airway Microbiota In Early Life As A Determinant Of Respiratory Health In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,135,837.00
Summary
The study will investigate the impact of respiratory infections during infancy on lung & immune function & respiratory health between 3-7 years of age. Children were previously enrolled in a population based birth cohort study (ORChID study) which collected detailed information about the respiratory health during the first 2 years of life with daily respiratory diary & weekly nasal swab collection. In this study lung function & immune function will be assessed annually in the same children (3-7)
Anti-viral Immune Dysfunction In Severe Asthma Varies Across Inflammatory Phenotypes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$997,153.00
Summary
Common cold viruses often trigger asthma flare-ups , but have relatively minor effects on healthy people. Why this happens is not clear. We have identified two different ways in which the immune system can react badly to a common cold virus in people with asthma. In this study we will find out more about why the immune system does not react normally in a large group of people with severe asthma. This study will help us discover improved treatments that can be targeted to people with asthma.
Targeting An Epigenetic Silencing Pathway To Treat Allergic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Asthma affects around 11% of the Australian population and costs the health care system around $28 billion. Unfortunately there is still no cure and treatments have not changed for decades. This project aims to discover new drugs to treat asthma by re-wiring the cells of the immune system which cause the disease.
Functional Significance Of Subcellular Localisation Of Viral 3C Protease In Rhinovirus Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,513.00
Summary
Rhinovirus (RV) infections are the major cause of virus induced asthma attacks and common colds, causing significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence of asthma is increasing worldwide with new strategies urgently needed to reduce RV-associated disease. We have observed RV 3C protease in the nuclear compartment of infected host cells and propose to determine its significance in RV pathogenesis with relevance to asthma therapies.
The Mechanisms Of Infection Of Bronchial Epithelial Cells By Human And Avian Influenza Viruses In Chronic Airways Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,559.00
Summary
Influenza is an important infection that causes disease every year in the Australian population. People with lung disease are at particular risk to its effects. The ability of the virus to grow in birds and change its appearance to our immune system allows this virus to cause severe disease every year. We will examine the immune response to this virus in human cells, comparing this response to human and bird strains of the virus and see why subjects with lung disease are more susceptible.
Exposure Of Bronchial Epithelial Cells To Inflammatory Stimuli Impairs Their Innate Immune Response To Rhinovirus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,966.00
Summary
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common respiratory conditions in Australia, both of these conditions are characterised by acute attacks precipitated by respiratory virus infections. The most common trigger for these acute attacks is the usually innocuous common cold virus, rhinovirus. The reason for this susceptibility remains poorly understood. We have previously shown that the cells lining the airways of asthmatics are more susceptible to infection with rhi ....Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common respiratory conditions in Australia, both of these conditions are characterised by acute attacks precipitated by respiratory virus infections. The most common trigger for these acute attacks is the usually innocuous common cold virus, rhinovirus. The reason for this susceptibility remains poorly understood. We have previously shown that the cells lining the airways of asthmatics are more susceptible to infection with rhinovirus and fail to react to this infection effectively. We propose to further elucidate this defect and for the first time determine if it is also present in subjects with COPD. We will examine the airway cells of subjects with asthma and COPD and look for evidence of a defective immune response, relating this to the presence of persistent bacterial infection. We will then grow these and infect them with rhinovirus, carefully examining the mechanisms behind this impaired response to infection and then see if we can induce such impairment in these cells with chronic exposure to infection and inflammatory stimuli. Our laboratory is well placed to investigate these problems with an established track record in investigating patients with inflammatory airways disease and virus infection, unparalleled access to sufficient well characterised clinical samples and have demonstrated the ability to study virus epithelial cell interactions. This work will highlight those at risk of developing frequent debilitating exacerbations along with the reasons for this and identify areas to target novel therapeutic interventions.Read moreRead less
Mechanism/s Of Disease Caused By Respiratory Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,517.00
Summary
A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract ill ....A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract illness similar to RSV, but with an unknown etiology, suggests that HMPV may mediate similar clinical pathology. Nothing is currently known about the immune response to HMPV, or the association of these responses with lung disease. The objectives of this proposal are to elucidate the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and to investigate the use of a novel vaccine to protect against HMPV infection. Once this data is obtained, the study will provide the foundation for further research in the development of vaccines or therapeutic protocols to treat HMPV. It will also provide valuable information for understanding the disease in humans. Also,it is likely that HMPV, like hRSV, may prove to be an agent associated with long-term decreased pulmonary function and airflow limitation perhaps developing to asthma.Read moreRead less