21,000 Australians receive kidney replacement therapy and many more die of kidney failure as a result of kidney fibrosis. TGF-?, a growth factor causing kidney fibrosis, is also anti-inflammatory and promotes healing. We aim to prove that targeting downstream messengers (Foxo/?-catenin) of TGF-? will prevent fibrosis while promoting TGF-?’s anti-inflammatory and healing actions. A successful outcome will lead to a novel cure for preventing kidney failure and failure of other organs.
The Role Of TGFB1 In The Pathophysiology Of Late Stage Schizophrenia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,961.00
Summary
Schizophrenia is triggered in people with a genetic predisposition by as yet unknown environmental factors. Having shown that changes in gene expression in the brains of people with schizophrenia vary as the disease progresses, this application seeks to understand the changes in a pathway regulated by transforming growth factor ?1 that occur late in the progression of the illness. Understanding the changes in this important pathway could affect how people with schizophrenia are treated as their ....Schizophrenia is triggered in people with a genetic predisposition by as yet unknown environmental factors. Having shown that changes in gene expression in the brains of people with schizophrenia vary as the disease progresses, this application seeks to understand the changes in a pathway regulated by transforming growth factor ?1 that occur late in the progression of the illness. Understanding the changes in this important pathway could affect how people with schizophrenia are treated as their disorder progresses.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Potential Of Transforming Growth Factor-beta Proteins For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Female Infertility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$942,961.00
Summary
We discovered and manufactured a growth factor produced uniquely by the egg. We named this growth factor cumulin. It is a powerful regulator of ovarian function and egg quality. This project will study the basic mechanisms of how cumulin works in the ovary. We will then develop an assay to measure it as a biomarker of human egg quality and quantity. New approaches in fertility preservation for cancer survivors will be developed using cumulin.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta As A Causal Factor In Human Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$634,359.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common painful degenerative disease of the joints, which constitutes a major and growing public health problem, and for which there are no effective therapies. Our exciting recent research in the mouse has found that TGFb over-activity in the bone has a critical causal role in OA pathogenesis. Because TGFb silencing in bone could provide an entirely new way to slow the progression of OA, we propose to investigate this pathway in human OA.
Differentiation Of Pro-fibrotic From Anti-inflammatory Effects Of TGF-? In Kidney Fibrosis By Targeting ?-catenin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,019.00
Summary
More than 2500 Australians commence kidney replacement therapy each year and many more die of kidney failure as a result of kidney fibrosis. TGF-?, a growth factor causing kidney fibrosis, is also anti-inflammatory. Our project aims to prove that targeting a downstream messenger (?-catenin) of TGF-? will prevent kidney fibrosis while leaving TGF-?’s anti-inflammatory actions untouched. A successful outcome will lead to a novel cure for preventing kidney fibrosis and fibrosis of other organs.
Interactions Between IL-15 And TGF-beta Signalling Pathways Reveal Novel Therapeutic Strategies To Boost Anti-cancer Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,425.00
Summary
This project will determine if new immune inhibitory checkpoints can be synergistically targeted with BRAFV600E inhibition to reactivate and allow NK cells to maximise their anti-tumour immune functions and prevent cancer spread. It is a completely novel approach that will allow for the more rational design of melanoma treatments that targets NK cells following surgery and local radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
In various kidney diseases including the most common cause of end stage kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for kidney failure will greatly assist in defining new therapeutic targets in order to develop new treatments and therapies. The studies described in this proposal highlight the involvement of a novel class of small RNA molecules, and provide us with a novel approach to tackle this disease.
Activation Of GDF9 Regulates Human Folliculogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,690.00
Summary
GDF9 is a key regulator of fertility in female mammals, as it controls the process of folliculogenesis. In this grant, we will demonstrate the importance of GDF9 in human folliculogenesis, determine the mechanisms that activate GDF9 and show why aberrant GDF9 activation leads to ovarian disorders. Collectively, the outcomes of this proposal will increase our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that regulate ovarian folliculogenesis and provide new avenues to manipulate this process.
SARA: Delineating Its Association With The Onset And Development Of Liver Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,972.00
Summary
Liver disease, a significant burden on society, affects many in the prime of their life. Scarring of the liver is a response to injury due to many factors including alcohol, viruses, obesity, and fatty-liver disease. We have identified a protein associated with liver injury. In this project we will perform a systematic analysis to understand the role of this protein in injury progression. Ultimately we intend to develop tools to prevent and treat liver injury.
Physiological Consequences Of The Loss Of Inhibin Activity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,035.00
Summary
Inhibin A and B are essential factors in mammalian reproduction, negatively regulating pituitary production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Interestingly, declines in inhibin levels at menopause correlate with a rapid decrease in bone and muscle mass. We propose that inhibin A and B have important physiological roles in the stimulation of bone and muscle growth, and that inhibins could be utilised to treat postmenopausal complications, including osteoporosis and sarcopenia.