Mechanisms Of Infection Triggered Renal Vasculitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,900.00
Summary
Kidney disease, including glomerulonephritis, is an important cause of ill-health in Australia. Some forms of kidney inflammation are linked to infection, but we don�t understand why. This project explores products from bacteria, particularly S.aureus, to work out how bacterial infection affects a form of kidney inflammation - ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. It will establish how infection related signals activate local and immune cells, and define links between infection and the disease.
Inflammation of the kidneys is an important, yet poorly understood cause of kidney disease in Australia. This project will define the role of some of the immune cells, called Th17, that usually act to protect us from infection, but can turn rouge and may cause kidney damage.
Circulating Low -molecular Weight AGEs In The Development And Progression Of Diabetic Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$297,523.00
Summary
High levels of sugars seen in patients with diabetes leads to damage of many organs including the heart, the eyes and the kidneys. These high sugars cause damage through a number of mechanisms, one being the formation of advanced glycation end products or AGEs, formed by the irreversible reaction between proteins and glucose. This reaction leads to a change in the shape and function of AGE-modified molecules that progressively contributes to organ damage. AGEs also bind and activate specific rec ....High levels of sugars seen in patients with diabetes leads to damage of many organs including the heart, the eyes and the kidneys. These high sugars cause damage through a number of mechanisms, one being the formation of advanced glycation end products or AGEs, formed by the irreversible reaction between proteins and glucose. This reaction leads to a change in the shape and function of AGE-modified molecules that progressively contributes to organ damage. AGEs also bind and activate specific receptors that promote the damage and scarring of tissue. Where the glucose concentration is high, AGEs accumulate much more quickly. This is one reason why patients with good sugar control do better than those who are unable to control their blood sugars. The importance of this AGE pathway is illustrated by the fact that blocking the formation of AGEs is able to prevent kidney damage in animals with diabetes. In addition, exposure to AGEs can cause diabetes-like changes in the absence of high sugars. Our laboratory is a world leader in the study of the advanced glycation and methods blocking this process. The research proposed will investigate circulating levels of AGEs in experimental animals and patients with diabetes, and correlate them with the development and progression of complications of diabetesRead moreRead less
The Role Of Regulatory T Cells In Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,113.00
Summary
Inflammation of the kidneys is an important, yet poorly understood cause of kidney disease in Australia. As part of our endogenous defenses against inflammation, we have cells called regulatory T cells that dampen inflammation and are protective. This project will define the role of some of these cells and examine potential ways to use them do dampen kidney inflammation.