Asia-Pacific Pneumococcal Disease Control In The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of childhood death worldwide. PCV is a vaccine that prevents pneumonia but it is costly; and causes an increase in disease from strains which are not in the vaccine. Our CRE will address 2 outstanding issues: when to switch from a 3 to 2 dose PCV schedule to make it more affordable; and create new understanding of the non-vaccine strains’ impact on disease in low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
A Dendritic Cell Subset Targeting Approach For Defining Immune Function And Tailoring Immunotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,753.00
Summary
Dendritic cells are important sentinel cells of the immune system that orchestrate our immune responses against invading pathogens. There are different types of dendritic cells and they perform different jobs. We have a series of antibodies that can recognise markers on the surface of different dendritic cells populations. We can use these antibodies as homing devices to deliver foreign material to individual dendritic cell subpopulations and thereby manipulate the type of immune response genera ....Dendritic cells are important sentinel cells of the immune system that orchestrate our immune responses against invading pathogens. There are different types of dendritic cells and they perform different jobs. We have a series of antibodies that can recognise markers on the surface of different dendritic cells populations. We can use these antibodies as homing devices to deliver foreign material to individual dendritic cell subpopulations and thereby manipulate the type of immune response generated. Effectively, we aim to tailor immune responses to fight a particular bacteria, virus, parasite, or even cancer cells. The current proposal will extend the number of antibodies we test for their ability to generate tailored immunity. We will examine a number of new molecules for their ability to shuttle foreign material to dendritic cells and their ability to stimulate immune responses. Next, we will test these homing devices as vaccines and their ability to prevent or treat cancer. Our aim is to develop a robust, highly efficient, generic, vaccination approach for cancer immunotherapy.Read moreRead less
Leptin As A Natural Regulator Of TFH Cell Differentiation And Vaccination Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,901.00
Summary
Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells constitute a CD4+ T cell subset that plays an instrumental role to support protective antibody responses in infection and vaccination. Although malnutrition is associated with poor vaccine responses and increased risks of infections, the mechanism is poorly understood. We will investigate the mechanism by which leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose cells, regulates Tfh cell function and vaccination response.
A Multi-protein Vaccine Targeting The Oral Pathogens Associated With Chronic Periodontitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$717,692.00
Summary
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with specific bacteria leading to the destruction of the toothÍs supporting tissues and ultimately tooth loss and is a major public health problem in all societies. Our research is focused on designing a vaccine that targets the major bacteria associated with periodontitis. We aim to produce a triple antigen vaccine and investigate the applicability of a vaccine administered under the tongue as an alternative to needle injections.
Understanding Immune Responses To Severe Influenza Virus Infection And Vaccination In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
During influenza virus infection, people acquire robust and long-lasting immunity. However, current influenza vaccines elicit only transient immunity. I will define optimal responses in different immune cell types after natural infection versus vaccination; understand why some people fail to generate protective antibodies to the vaccine; and identify key biomarkers aimed at reducing influenza disease impact in high risk groups. This work will improve future influenza vaccination regimens.
Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.
A Dendritic Cell Subset Targeting Approach For Generating Humoral Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$678,492.00
Summary
Potent vaccination might be achieved by using monoclonal antibodies as magic bullets to target vaccines to special cells in the body. We show that targeting these special cells by using monoclonal antibodies that recognise Clec9A is effective, perhaps because it brings several different immune cells together so that they orchestrate very efficient immune responses. This application investigates how targeting Clec9A allows strong vaccination so that we can apply this to new generation vaccines.
PH-dependent, Antibody-mediated Enhancement Of Genital Chlamydial Infection: Implications For Vaccine Design ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,228.00
Summary
Antibody found in cervicovaginal secretions is predominantly of the IgG subclass. In the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract IgG antibodies against surface antigens on Chlamydia may actually enhance rather than prevent infection, due to uptake of IgG-coated bacteria by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which is found on the surface of epithelial cells in the reproductive tract. The proposed studies will determine the effects of chlamydial antibodies on the course of infection.
Pneumococcal disease is one of the biggest killers of children under 5 years of age worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are highly effective at reducing pneumococcal disease however the duration of protection and the immune factors involved is unknown, particularly when fewer than the recommended number of doses are used. My fellowship aims to examine the key immune factors that provide long-term protection following pneumococcal vaccination.