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While many cases of asthma are mild, severe cases require extensive health care resources and are virtually unresponsive to conventional treatment. This project will investigate whether specific compounds released from the airway are able to cause lung damage and airway abnormalities similar to that in severe asthma. We will investigate whether these changes are responsive to conventional therapy and investigate a potential treatment for regaining this responsiveness in severe asthma.
Targeting IL-33 In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Asthma And Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Lung diseases (emphysema, severe asthma & pulmonary fibrosis) are major burdens on Australian community and economy. Airway 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 a new target (IL-33), & therapy (anti-IL-33) in suppressing wounding in experimental models and human tissues. This may lead to a new treatment to reverse and/or prevent lung diseases.
Therapeutic Potential Of The IL-3-IL-5-GM-CSF Common Beta Receptor To Treat Upper And Lower Allergic Airway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,442.00
Summary
This research aims to develop new treatments for allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, which remain significant public health problems in Australia. We will develop new therapies with the potential to completely suppress acute and chronic allergic disease targeting a common receptor protein that controls multiple facets of allergic inflammation. We will test antibodies intended to treat human asthma using a novel mouse strain expressing the human form of this receptor.
The Role Of Long Non-coding RNA In Regulating Lung Immunity And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung, asthma and COPD, account for significant morbidity and poor quality of life in our community. Respiratory infection is one of the major causes of exacerbation and affects 50-80% of both asthma and COPD patients admitted to hospital. These groups of patients are steroid resistance and difficult to manage. Our aim is to identify novel molecules important in regulating inflammation and to target them therapeutically to treat these patients.
Characterisation Of A Novel Signaling Network That Translates Early-life Respiratory Infection Into Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Bacterial and viral respiratory infections in early-life cause permanent damage to the lungs and reduce lung function in later life. They may also increase the risk of developing asthma and emphysema. These are substantial health problems in Australia. My project aims to identify how infections cause these effects. This will enable me to identify new therapeutic targets and develop new therapies for the prevention of chronic lung diseases.
The Early Life Origin Of Airway Smooth Muscle Thickening In Asthma Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,198.00
Summary
Previous studies have shown that fetal growth restriction (FGR) in the womb is associated with asthma in children; however the reason remains unknown. Thickening of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the primary structural abnormality in asthma. A model of FGR caused by low oxygen in the womb will be used to determine if associations between FGR and asthma involve an early life increase in ASM. That ASM may be increased from birth is a novel hypothesis which challenges conventional thinking.
How The Immune Response Can Affect Influenza Virus And Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,964.00
Summary
A strong immune response is essential for protection against viral infections. However, in some circumstances a strong immune response against viruses can actually further aggravate disease. In addition, an anti-viral immune response can trigger asthma attacks in allergic individuals. This research thus seeks to understand and therefore mitigate the potentially detrimental role of inflammation in influenza virus infections and asthma.