Recognition Of Lipid Antigens By CD1d-restricted Type-2 NKT Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,684.00
Summary
Protection against infection depends on T cells, which recognise and target foreign molecules called antigens via a specialized antigen receptor known as a T cell receptor (TCR). This project focuses on a specialised population of T cells called Natural Killer T (NKT) cells that recognise lipid antigens. The work outlined in this grant will increase our understanding of how different TCRs can recognise diverse lipid antigens thus providing insight into the role of NKT cells in the immune system.
Elucidating The Mechanism Of IL-2 Cytokine/antibody Mediated Transplantation Tolerance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,429.00
Summary
Organ transplantation is a life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure. However, patients must take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection, a lifetime of which increases the risk of infection and cancer. An alternative to drugs is to manipulate the immune system from within. We discovered a way to boost the immune ‘regulators’ so that they stifle the graft-destroying response. We are optimising this approach with the aim of transplanting organs without long-term immunosuppression.
Influence Of TCR Signals From Contact With Self-MHC Ligands On Naive T Cell Survival
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,658.00
Summary
A diverse repertoire of naive T cells constitutes a critical part of the adaptive immune system and protects hosts from various infections and cancer. T cells are stably maintained at a constant number in the periphery by mechanisms that are not clearly understood. This proposal will shed light on how the immune system preserves a diverse na�ve T cell pool able to respond against various foreign antigens, while preventing their harmful auto-reactivity to self antigens.
CCR9 Expressing T Helper Cells In Immunity And Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,571.00
Summary
We have identified a unique subset of immune cells in autoimmune lesions named Tccr9 cells. You find these cells in the gut, but when the body shifts into disease mode, Tccr9 cells disseminate to the accessory organs of the digestive system. Understanding the relationship between gut Tccr9 cells and the Tccr9 cells that contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity is the focus of this research proposal.