Integrin-growth Factor Interactions In The Development Of Airway Wall Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,300.00
Summary
Asthma is a clinically and socio-economically important disease with prevalence in the Australian population of approximately 13% for adults and approaching 25% for children. Currently, glucocorticoids (GCS) are first line prophylactic therapy for the disease. Despite a wide diversity of precipitating factors, the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain unclear. A marked thickening of the airway wall bought about by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a prominent pathological f ....Asthma is a clinically and socio-economically important disease with prevalence in the Australian population of approximately 13% for adults and approaching 25% for children. Currently, glucocorticoids (GCS) are first line prophylactic therapy for the disease. Despite a wide diversity of precipitating factors, the mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain unclear. A marked thickening of the airway wall bought about by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a prominent pathological feature but why this occurs and how it can be prevented is equally unclear. Recent studies have suggested that interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix influence the airways response to inflammation and modulate the effectiveness of currently available therapies. Indeed, there is mounting evidence to suggest that GCS fail to modulate and indeed in some cases even contribute to structural changes in the remodeled airway wall. The aim of this study is to assess the mechanisms by which cells and the extracellular matrix interact to promote remodelling of the airway wall and to determine whether this association influences the responsiveness to traditional asthma therapies.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Asthma And Lung Function In Australian Teenagers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,639.00
Summary
Asthma is a major health issue, which cause long term illnesses. The causes of asthma are unclear. This is possibly because asthma is not just one condition, but multiple conditions, each with separate risk factors. This project will search for specific forms of asthma and their causes, using a group of children that has been intensively studied since birth.
G-CSF: A Pathogenic Effector In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Its Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,551.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an incurable lung disease that is a huge global health burden, and new therapies are urgently needed. We have recently discovered a possible cause of COPD. This single factor also appears to drive other associated medical problems that are the biggest contributors to patient deterioration. Using advanced genetics, biochemistry and molecular methods we are searching for ways to turn our discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
The Central Role Of Connective Tissue Growth Factor In Remodelling Of Asthmatic Airways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,019.00
Summary
In the asthmatic airway an increase in the number of blood vessels can affect an asthmatic's ability to breathe. We have recently found that growth factors which can promote vessel growth are increased in the airways of asthmatics. We want to understand how these growth factors act together to possibly control the blood vessels and how their behaviour is different in the asthmatic airways compared to the nonasthmatic airways.
Prevention Of Pleural Adhesion Formation By Treatment With Growth Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,000.00
Summary
Damage to the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities and to cells covering the lungs and other internal organs by infection or surgery almost always results in the formation of adhesions. Adhesions are bridges of fibrous material between organs and the body wall. In the chest cavity they can prevent the effective drainage of fluids that build up during infection or after injury leading to deterioration of health and even death. In the abdominal cavity they are a major cause of intestinal obs ....Damage to the lining of the chest and abdominal cavities and to cells covering the lungs and other internal organs by infection or surgery almost always results in the formation of adhesions. Adhesions are bridges of fibrous material between organs and the body wall. In the chest cavity they can prevent the effective drainage of fluids that build up during infection or after injury leading to deterioration of health and even death. In the abdominal cavity they are a major cause of intestinal obstruction and female infertility. In Australia, adhesions affect 9,500 patients annually, accounting for 6% of all hospital readmissions at a cost of over $100 million. This project will use animal models to investigate the specific role of a growth factor called hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the healing of the cells lining the internal body cavity and its effect on inhibiting adhesion formation. Using genetically manipulated mice, drug delivery and gene therapy approaches, the effect of changing the levels of HGF in tissues lining the internal body cavities on repair and adhesion formation will be assessed and mechanisms of action elucidated . A better understanding of the way cells lining these cavities heal and the factors that can improve the healing process, may lead to the development of novel therapies to prevent adhesion formation, which will benefit all future patients with chest cavity infections and those who undergo thoracic and abdominal surgery.Read moreRead less
Examining The Early Origins Of Asthma And Chronic Respiratory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,768.00
Summary
Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease of childhood. Birth cohort studies show that early life environmental stressors may increase asthma risk. This study will examine the impact of multiple early-life stressors using a novel ‘exposome’ model in international birth cohort studies, to identify the most significant factors. This will allow for interventions in a planned Australian birth cohort study, leading to improved health for Australians.
Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Improve Stroke Outcomes In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,069,574.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Patients with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and this is even higher in the weeks following a lung viral infection. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD are at increased risk for stroke and then develop novel treatments to prevent or reduce stroke in COPD patients.
Health Impacts Of Sleep Apnea In Australian Men- A Longitudinal Population Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,056.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is very common, seen in 60-70% of men over 40 years old. OSA is linked to a number of serious conditions, e.g. heart disease and diabetes. However, we don't know which men are at risk of long term complications from OSA. Our aim is to follow-up men from a community sample of 1000 men who had sleep studies in 2010 to help identify who is at risk of poor health from OSA.
This Practitioner Fellowship will aim to improve outcomes in people with lung cancer. The clinical studies will focus on: 1. Using low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer at a very early stage. 2. Molecular tests to diagnose lung cancer earlier, and provide information that will be useful for deciding treatment 3. Using advanced techniques to diagnose small opacities in the lung
The Interaction Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Cardiovascular Risk Factors On Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,263,050.00
Summary
Cardiovascular (CV) disease and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are common causes of morbidity and mortality. OSA is an independent risk factor for CV disease but little is known about which patients with OSA are likely to develop CV disease, and the interaction between OSA and other CV risk factors. We seek to better understand this interaction by exploring which of 4,100 well characterised patients in the West Australian Sleep Health Study (WASHS) 2005-2010 have developed CV disease.