Interleukin Signalling In CD4+ T Cell Differentiation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,919.00
Summary
Our bodies rely on the production of antibodies to fight infection. The cytokine IL-21 is produced by immune cells called T follicular helper (Tfh) cells that help B cells make antibodies. Tfh cells, in turn, are controlled by regulatory (Tfr) cells. Our findings demonstrate that IL-21 supports Tfh cells and limits Tfr cells, thus favoring antibody production and long term immunity. Using genomic and cellular approaches, the mechanism(s) underlying these observations will be explored.
The Structure And Composition Of The T-cell Receptor-CD3 Complex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,644.00
Summary
Our research will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of how foreign viruses and pathogens trigger the immune system. Gaining a greater understanding of these central events will facilitate the design of novel therapies to treat immune associated disorders such as transplant rejection, autoimmune disease and some cancers.
Characterisation And Development Of Type-2 NKT Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$853,885.00
Summary
Humans defend themselves from foreign pathogens by mounting a protective immune response. Type-2 NKT cells recognise foreign lipid molecules and play a key role in immunity. This project is designed to understand to how Type-2 NKT cells develop within the body, how they recognise lipid molecules and how they carry out their immune functions. This work will have important implications in understanding the role of NKT cells in human health and disease.
Following The T Cell Repertoire Over The Human Life Course
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$473,159.00
Summary
T cells are critical to human health being our second and last line against infectious disease and cancer. However, we know very little about how this important immune compartment operates on a top-down scale. This project will use new technology to resolve this immune compartment to high detail. We will then use this new method to track the T cell compartment from the first years of life and across years of adult life to see how this vital immune compartment evolves along the human life course.
The Role Of NOD Proteins In T Cell Development And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,590.00
Summary
The long-term goal of this project is to understand the role of NOD proteins in the T cell branch of the immune system. Distorted T cell responses can lead to over-activation and autoimmunity, or host susceptibility to microbial infection. This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of NOD proteins in chronic inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, where altered NOD signaling may generate intrinsic T cell defects, in addition to altered microbial sensing and host protection by the in ....The long-term goal of this project is to understand the role of NOD proteins in the T cell branch of the immune system. Distorted T cell responses can lead to over-activation and autoimmunity, or host susceptibility to microbial infection. This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of NOD proteins in chronic inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, where altered NOD signaling may generate intrinsic T cell defects, in addition to altered microbial sensing and host protection by the innate immune system.Read moreRead less
Stimulation Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Specific Cytolytic Effector Function Using Allogeneic Cell Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,648.00
Summary
A preventative HIV vaccine is not currently available. Stimulation of the bodies own immune cells (T-cells) may be associated with better protection against the virus, and we have recently discovered that T-cells already present in humans are frequently stimulated by foreign (allogeneic) cells. Therefore we aim to determine if “vaccination” with allogeneic cells could stimulate a HIV specific immune response in humans. These results could have important implications for HIV vaccine design.
Role Of The CD8-Heparan Sulfate Interaction In CD8+ T Cell Development And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,135.00
Summary
The immune system can recognise a large array of foreign pathogens without reacting to self-components. For this to occur T cells, the main mediators of immunity, must be made to tolerate self-molecules as they develop in the thymus. We have identified a novel interaction between a molecule called CD8 on T cells and a complex carbohydrate called heparan-sulfate, which helps auto-reactive T cells to be eliminates in the thymus. The aim of this project is to further investigate this phenomenon.
Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.
The Mechanisms Of Epithelial Cell Survival That Govern Thymus Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,967.00
Summary
The thymus is an organ dedicated to the production of crucial immune cells, called T lymphocytes. Cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, destroy thymic function and impair immune recovery in patients. We aim to uncover molecular processes that govern the life and death decisions of cells in the thymus. Our goal is to then use this information to develop treatments to protect this critical organ from damage and improve immune recovery following radiation or chemotherapy.
Understanding The Multistep Pathogenesis Of T-cell Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,992.00
Summary
Lmo2 is a transcription factor whose overexpression is a common cause of T-cell leukaemia. This project seeks to identify downstream targets of Lmo2 that cause T-cell leukemia. In addition, the origins and effects of secondary mutations that collaborate with Lmo2 in causing T-cell leukaemia will be determined. This will improve our understanding of how T-cell leukaemia develops and provide new molecular targets for therapy.