Epithelial-Mesenchymal Cell Communication; Towards New Therapeutic Targets For Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$794,596.00
Summary
Fibrosis causes disability and death with millions of people affected each year. Current treatments are limited and there is a need to better understand the changes that drive fibrosis. In this study we will investigate how cells communicate to initiate and drive fibrosis. Using readily available drugs we will test new ways to alter cell communication to stop the disease and thus, develop a common and effective therapy that will change the future for people living with fibrosis.
The Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Chronic Lung Disease Is Due To Increased Airway Smooth Muscle
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$644,067.00
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem. It is becoming increasingly evident that vitamin D deficiency increases the severity of chronic lung disease. In this study we propose to examine a mechanism that we think clearly explains this association. These studies are critical to understanding how deficiencies in key nutrients can impact on chronic lung disease and will provide the data necessary to guide public health policy to reduce the burden of disease in the community.
Targeting An Epigenetic Silencing Pathway To Treat Allergic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Asthma affects around 11% of the Australian population and costs the health care system around $28 billion. Unfortunately there is still no cure and treatments have not changed for decades. This project aims to discover new drugs to treat asthma by re-wiring the cells of the immune system which cause the disease.
Regional Mechanisms Of Ventilator Induced Lung Injury: Insights From Dynamic Lung Imaging
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,323.00
Summary
Mortality rates due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are high (>30%). While ARDS requires mechanical ventilation as a lifesaving intervention, it is clear that mechanical ventilation itself can contribute to the high mortality rates. We will use a new lung imaging technology (CTXV) to visualize the damage that occurs to the lung as a result of mechanical ventilation in order to design better ventilation strategies and reduce mortality rates in these critically ill patients.
Lung cancer remains the biggest cause of cancer related deaths and chronic smoking is the major risk factor. We have recently demonstrated that a protein termed SAA contributes to damaging inflammation in chronic smokers that develop emphysema through activation of a receptor called FPR2. We will determine whether naturally derived products termed pro-resolving mediators that target this same FPR2 receptor will prove to be a novel and effective treatment for lung cancer.
Targeting Remodelling In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Asthma And Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,634.00
Summary
Lung diseases (emphysema, asthma & pulmonary fibrosis) are major burdens on Australian community and economy. Airway remodelling/wounding is a key feature of all these diseases. Patients experience severe breathlessness seriously impacting quality of life and frequently leading to death. We will assess the potential of new targets (including IL-33), & therapy in suppressing wounding in experimental models. This may lead to a new treatment to reverse or prevent lung diseases.
Restoring Skeletal Muscle In An Experimental Model Of COPD By Targeting The IGF-1-myostatin-macrophage Axis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,183.00
Summary
Most people think that the serious disabilities of COPD (emphysema) patients follows damage to their lungs but wasted muscles may be even more important. We can not regrow lung but we have found a way that might help regrow muscle. We plan to use stem cells to make one of the body's own cells called 'macrophages' and genetically engineer these cells to help deliver healing proteins directly into the muscle. Making muscle stronger will help COPD patients live longer and improve quality of life.
DEFINING SUBPOPULATIONS OF PATHOGENIC MACROPHAGES UNDERLYING LUNG DISEASES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,496.00
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that afflicts over 1 million people in Australia and adenocarcinoma is a common fatal lung cancer; both are typically caused by cigarette smoking, and macrophage-rich inflammation is a hallmark feature. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue and promote cancer development. Herein we will identify and profile macrophage subpopulations that are associated with lung inflammation and cancer to identify therapeutic targets that may y ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that afflicts over 1 million people in Australia and adenocarcinoma is a common fatal lung cancer; both are typically caused by cigarette smoking, and macrophage-rich inflammation is a hallmark feature. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue and promote cancer development. Herein we will identify and profile macrophage subpopulations that are associated with lung inflammation and cancer to identify therapeutic targets that may yield novel intervention strategies.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Simplified Management Strategy Versus Standard Care In Moderate To Severe OSA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,400.00
Summary
Currently breathing difficulties during sleep known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are undertreated in our community. This reflects an inability of the current diagnostic and treatment strategies to deal with the high clinical burden of OSA. As a result, in particular in rural and remote areas, many have long waits for treatment, or no access to therapy at all. The purpose of this project is to evaluate a simplified protocol for the management of OSA. This will be done using diagnostic devices ....Currently breathing difficulties during sleep known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are undertreated in our community. This reflects an inability of the current diagnostic and treatment strategies to deal with the high clinical burden of OSA. As a result, in particular in rural and remote areas, many have long waits for treatment, or no access to therapy at all. The purpose of this project is to evaluate a simplified protocol for the management of OSA. This will be done using diagnostic devices and treatment strategies that are more widely available than the current approaches to the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea. This will involve measurement of the numbers of falls in oxygen levels in a patient via a device to measure oxygen levels called an oximeter. These falls in oxygen levels correlate well with breath holding episodes during sleep characteristic of OSA. Treatment can be commenced in the patient's home depending on these results. We intend to compare these new approaches with the current best practice in OSA. If the outcomes are good these stategies could be applied to reduce the waiting times for to diagnose and manage OSA and make therapy more widely available throughout the community.Read moreRead less