Production Of Interferon Lambda By Dendritic Cell Subsets And Role In Adjuvant Effects Of Poly I:C
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,541.00
Summary
This proposal describes the identification of specific cells in mouse and humans that produce the anti-viral compound interferon-lambda. We propose to further characterise the mechanisms that induce interferon-lambda expression by these cell types and to decipher how this is controlled at the genetic level. We also aim to determine how the production of interferon lambda by these cell types can influence the immune response to viral infection.
Where It All Begins- Exploring Dendritic Cell Control Of Viral Infection And Cell Development In The Bone Marrow Of Mice And Man.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,335.00
Summary
The bone marrow (bm) is the birthplace of all blood cells that fight infection in the body. Dendritic cells (DC), essential for starting immune responses, are found in the bm but the exact types and their functions are unknown. I plan to investigate the DC types that reside in the bm and explore their role in inducing immune responses and in influencing the development of cells from the bm with potential attributable benefits for stem cell transplant and vaccine design.
Cytoplasmic DNA As A Danger Signal For Mammalian Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,661.00
Summary
DNA in mammalian cells is contained within a structure known as the nucleus. The presence of DNA outside the nucleus in the cytoplasm of the cell is a sure sign that something is wrong, and may indicate the presence of a viral invader. In this case, the cell initiates anti-viral responses, including production of anti-viral proteins and death of the infected cell to stop replication of the virus. Lack of proper control of these responses may contibute to the autoimmune disease lupus.
Argonaute Proteins In The Mammalian Antiviral Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Viruses are the most abundant infectious agents on earth, and the diseases caused by them are a constant threat and cause of mortality worldwide. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2006, RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that plants use to attack viruses. Humans possess all of the tools for RNAi, but whether it is used for antiviral defense is unknown. This study aims to uncover this immune process which will open new avenues to treat virus infections, such as influenza and HIV.
Understanding The Host Pathogen Relationships Of Hendra Virus In Bats, Horses And Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$648,339.00
Summary
We will examine why bats can be infected with Hendra Virus with no apparent symptoms, yet the virus causes severe disease in other mammals including humans. We will examine the innate immune response towards the virus in the natural host (fruit bats), horses and humans. In addition to the innate immune response we will also examine the adaptive immune response in bats and humans. We hope this information can be used to design new drugs or vaccines to Hendra Virus.
The Inflammasome In Host Defence And Autoinflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
Inflammation is one of the bodies first responses to infection. The inflammasome is a protein complex that activates pro-inflammatory cytokines as part of this process. We are investigating pathogens that activate a specific inflammasome complex, and also an inflammatory disease it may cause when activated accidentally, in the absence of infection. We are also investigating pathways that keep this inflammation in check, and how pathogens might hijack these anti-inflammatory pathways to promote i ....Inflammation is one of the bodies first responses to infection. The inflammasome is a protein complex that activates pro-inflammatory cytokines as part of this process. We are investigating pathogens that activate a specific inflammasome complex, and also an inflammatory disease it may cause when activated accidentally, in the absence of infection. We are also investigating pathways that keep this inflammation in check, and how pathogens might hijack these anti-inflammatory pathways to promote infection.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Immune And Inflammatory Responses By Short Chain Fatty Acids And GPR43
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$549,092.00
Summary
Innate immune mechanisms provide essential signals that determine the outcome of immune responses. The identity of these innate mechanisms may provide opportunities for manipulating immune responses, or controlling inflammatory responses. This proposal centers around a new and little-studied receptor, GPR43, which binds products of bacterial metabolism. This molecular pathway may explain how diet affect immune responses.
Recognition And Interaction Of Virus By The Innate Immune System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
The innate immune system acts rapidly to limit infection of invading pathogens. The interaction and recognition of pathogens such as viruses by the innate immune system, is of importance to understand why particular pathogens induce disease.
Dendritic Cells In Innate Immunity And Their Potential Clinical Manipulation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DC) are rare cells that are crucial in response to infection and surveillance of damaged tissues. We aim to understand the tools that are expressed by DC that allow them to sense pathogens and the functions of different DC types once a pathogen has been detected. The ultimate aim is to be able to understand and harness the functions of different DC so that we may directly target them upon demand to aid in the course of infection or potentially as tumour therapy.
Structural And Functional Characterisation Of The Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Family Of Natural Killer Cell Receptors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,070.00
Summary
Natural Killer (NK) cells are an important component of the immune response to cancer and infection. This project will define the molecular targets that are recognised by NK cells. This knowledge can then be used to guide in the selection of bone marrow donors in the treatment of leukemias as well as understanding how we fight off infections.