BAFF And Its Receptors:contribution And Therapeutic Potential In Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory reaction to cholesterol in blood vessels. Despite cholesterol-lowering statins, atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes remain a major cause of deaths. Studies of BAFF, a pro-inflammatory molecule can shed new light on the inflammation. As BAFF blockers are already in clinical trials to treat inflammatory diseases, our study has potential to lead to using BAFF blockers to treat human atherosclerosis.
Cardiac Fibrosis In Hypertensive Heart Disease: Cellular And Molecular Mechanism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,979.00
Summary
Cardiac fibrosis due to excess collagen accumulation in the heart is a major cause of heart failure associated with high blood pressure and greatly increases the risk of sudden death. At present there are no effective therapies to prevent cardiac fibrosis. Understanding how fibrosis develops and identifying the cells and factors responsible will lead to development of novel therapies for cardiac fibrosis.
B1a B Cells: Atheroprotective Mechanisms And Therapeutic Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,180.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis-related heart attacks and strokes remain leading causes of global deaths despite use of potent lipid-lowering drugs. Thus, another therapeutic option is urgently needed. Our laboratory found that B1a B cells protect against atherosclerosis. We will study the therapeutic efficacy of expanding B1a cells by different approaches in atherosclerosis. Our proposal for clinical translation is to reduce mortality from atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes.
Regulatory T Cells And Cardiac Fibrosis In Hypertensive Heart Disease: Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Of Suppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,316.00
Summary
Excessive accumulation of collagen in the heart, cardiac fibrosis is a major factor causing heart failure and sudden death. How collagen accumulation occurs in the heart still needs to be elucidated but recent studies in humans and animal models of cardiac fibrosis indicate a significant role for inflammation. The proposed studies are to address this issue and how to regulate inflammation in the heart to suppress cardiac fibrosis, using immune cells called regulatory T cells that suppress inflam ....Excessive accumulation of collagen in the heart, cardiac fibrosis is a major factor causing heart failure and sudden death. How collagen accumulation occurs in the heart still needs to be elucidated but recent studies in humans and animal models of cardiac fibrosis indicate a significant role for inflammation. The proposed studies are to address this issue and how to regulate inflammation in the heart to suppress cardiac fibrosis, using immune cells called regulatory T cells that suppress inflammation.Read moreRead less
Biophysical identification of natural human antibody targets. A natural human antibody, PAT-SM6, isolated using technology developed by the partner organisation (Patrys), offers promise as a therapy to reduce mortalities due to cancer, the leading cause of death in Australia. The novelty of the approach pioneered by Patrys is the direct production of human antibodies which avoids undesirable side effects associated with the use of antibodies containing non-human components. This project is to ....Biophysical identification of natural human antibody targets. A natural human antibody, PAT-SM6, isolated using technology developed by the partner organisation (Patrys), offers promise as a therapy to reduce mortalities due to cancer, the leading cause of death in Australia. The novelty of the approach pioneered by Patrys is the direct production of human antibodies which avoids undesirable side effects associated with the use of antibodies containing non-human components. This project is to discover the specificity of PAT-SM6 for proteins and protein complexes and how these interactions lead to tumour cell death. This work will enhance the effectiveness of human antibody therapies and help in the development of this fast growing area within the biotechnology industry in Australia.Read moreRead less