The Role Of BAFF, Its Receptor TACI And Toll-like Receptors In Autoimmunity And Tolerance.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$486,824.00
Summary
There are 2 types of immune cells, innate cells reacting broadly against microbial elements, and adaptive cells educated to remember pathogens and provide improved immune responses. Most treatments against lupus target the adaptive cells with mixed success. We have discovered a new mechanism driving lupus at the level of innate immunity. This proposal will identify molecular players driving this unappreciated form of lupus and validate new therapeutic targets.
Enhancing Host Defence Against Intracellular Pathogens By Preventing INOS Interaction With A Negative Regulator, SSB-2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,881.00
Summary
Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) gas by immune cells is a critical defence mechanism for the killing of intracellular pathogens. Production of NO within cells is regulated by the enzyme iNOS. We propose that preventing iNOS from interacting with its natural inhibitor protein (SSB-2) would allow enhanced and prolonged iNOS expression leading to increased NO and increased killing of pathogens such as the mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Leishmania parasite.