Dendritic Cells And CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein-delta (CEBP?) In Neuroinflammation And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,538.00
Summary
This projects aims to develop new treatments by finding the cells and chemicals that naturally stop inflammation in the central nervous system in diseases like MS. It also aims to test new treatments by delivering them to where this inflammation takes place. This targeted delivery should mean fewer side effects because the rest of the body is not exposed to the treatment. Hopefully this will reduce the impact of these diseases on the community, and reduce side effects for the patient.
Determining The Mechanisms Of Tolerance After Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation For Multiple Sclerosis – The Role Of CD39+ T Regulatory Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant offers relief for patients with aggressive forms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Here, we aim to understand how this therapy relieves symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients by studying the biology of CD39+ T regulatory cells. Understanding these immune-suppressing cells can lead to the development of new transplant procedures without chemotherapy and ultimately improve transplant outcomes for autoimmune disease patients.
Immune Tolerance In Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Following Transplant Of Bone Marrow Cells Genetically Encoding Autoantigen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,143.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases affect 5-6% of the population and include diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Our studies focus on examining a gene therapy approach together with bone marrow transplantation to treating autoimmune diseases. Using a model for multiple sclerosis we are finding promising results
Understanding Determinant Selection In Autoimmune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
Understanding what the immune system perceives during infection or in autoimmunity is key to the development of improved vaccines and therapies for a variety of human diseases. This proposal builds on leading research into the definition of targets of immunity in autoimmune diseases using cutting edge proteomic technologies. The proposal focuses on type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and will delineate candidate therapeutic molecules.
I am the leading scientist studying a factor named BAFF and discovered its role in autoimmunity. BAFF inhibitors are effective in late stage clinical trials treating lupus patients. Our new work shows that BAFF has other fascinating roles, in particular the ability to control effects from some microbes capable of activating autoimmune and inflammatory reactions. This new work is leading us to the development of an entirely new generation of therapeutics treating autoimmunity and inflammation.
Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15), CCAAT/enhancer Binding Protein Delta (CEBPD) And Neuroinflammtion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,270.00
Summary
I will develop new therapies for multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. I will also evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic uses for macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15) that was discovered in Australia. I will confirm its use in screening for bowel cancer. Also, I will look at using it in the indigenous and wider Australian community to improve health and close the gap in life expectancy. Finally, I will conduct trials of MIC-1/GDF15 therapy of obesity and inflammation.
In autoimmune diseases the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. Although we know that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of disease, identifying these genes and the environmental factors involved is very difficult. Furthermore, we have almost no idea how these factors interact with each other, something we need to understand in order to predict the risk of disease and reliably identify possible therapies. These are the aims of this fellowship.