Investigating The Capacity Of The General Practitioner Workforce To Meet Ongoing HIV Primary Care Needs In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,552.00
Summary
The number of people living with HIV-AIDS in Australia is increasing and ageing, requiring an expert primary care workforce to provide HIV clinical care into the future. Yet the numbers of general practitioners training as s100 prescribers may be insufficient to replace those leaving to retire or change jobs. This study will provide critical and timely evidence for why and how GPs pursue or continue working in HIV medicine in different caseload and geographical settings across Australia.
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Long-term HIV infection leads to increased incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma, AIDS dementia complex, and immune dysfunctions. The HIV-1 Tat protein has been linked to disease progression. However, Tat is predominantly found in the cell nucleus while measurable levels in patient serum. This is not believed to be a passive event caused by dying cells. Here we will investigate how Tat is released by HIV-1 infected cells.
HOST CELL FACTORS INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF HIV-1 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,919.00
Summary
We have found that when human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects a cell, it uses functions of the host to better infect. At this point, we do not know the identity of the host cell factors involved. If we are able to identify the factors we might be able to specifically target them without affecting normal cell functions. This approach has the advantage that it minimises the opportunities for the virus to develop drug resitance, which is increasingly a problem with HIV.
Whole Human Genone Expression Analysis In CD4+ CD8+ T Cells And Monocytes At Various Stages Of HIV Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
HIV is an important global problem and what happens to human gene machinery at the level of different cell types upon contact with HIV remains unclear. We have a novel approach of analysing whole human genome expression in relation to HIV in diverse blood cell types. Identification and understanding of key genes will provide insights into how restoration of the host immune system could be achieved in the future in combating HIV infection and possible cure.
Consequences Of Disulfide Exchange In CD4 For Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,580.00
Summary
CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells res ....CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells respond to infection and how the HIV virus infects immune cells. Moreover, we have designed a small synthetic compound that blocks the redox chemistry in CD4 and prevents HIV infection in the test tube. We propose to investigate how the redox chemistry in CD4 controls the function of immune cells and infection by HIV.Read moreRead less
Impact Of HIV Infection And Treatment With Highly Active Retroviral Therapy On Reverse Cholesterol Transport
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,375.00
Summary
HIV has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The introduction of new treatment for HIV resulted in a dramatic improvement in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients, but paradoxically cardiovascular complications became more frequent and severe. It is not currently clear whether increased cardiovascular risk is due to long lasting HIV or due to the impact of therapy. In both cases a major complication of HIV and-or therapy is rapid development of a ....HIV has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The introduction of new treatment for HIV resulted in a dramatic improvement in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients, but paradoxically cardiovascular complications became more frequent and severe. It is not currently clear whether increased cardiovascular risk is due to long lasting HIV or due to the impact of therapy. In both cases a major complication of HIV and-or therapy is rapid development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the cause of more than half of heart diseases, which is a leading cause of death in Western societies. Atherosclerosis develops when cholesterol is deposited within artery walls, causing the formation of a fatty plaque and restricting blood flow. The mechanism behind the effect of HIV and its treatment on development of atherosclerosis is unknown. This project is designed to investigate how and why HIV infection and its treatment results in this increased risk of cardiovascular disease.Read moreRead less