Human CD4+ T-cell Epitope-based Therapeutic For Peanut Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,121.00
Summary
Peanut allergy affects ~2% of the population and peanuts are the major cause of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy usually appears in infancy and persists indefinitely. At present, unlike grass pollen allergy, there is no preventative treatment. Using blood cells from peanut-allergic patients, we will identify the components of major peanut allergens to use in _allergy shots� to develop tolerance on peanut exposure without risking anaphylaxis.
The Significance Of Aeroallergens In Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,331.00
Summary
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic condition that causes difficulty swallowing food and chest discomfort.Current diagnostic methods are inaccurate, and treatments are not curative. This project aims to clarify the role of promising new diagnostic techniques and to delineate the significance of aeroallergens (e.g. pollens) with a view to improving the treatment of eosinophilc esophagitis in the future. It is possible that simply avoiding pollens or treating hayfever in the future may be all ....Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic condition that causes difficulty swallowing food and chest discomfort.Current diagnostic methods are inaccurate, and treatments are not curative. This project aims to clarify the role of promising new diagnostic techniques and to delineate the significance of aeroallergens (e.g. pollens) with a view to improving the treatment of eosinophilc esophagitis in the future. It is possible that simply avoiding pollens or treating hayfever in the future may be all that is required to manage this condition.Read moreRead less
Phase I/IIa Trials Of A Novel T-cell Epitope-based Peptide Therapy For Peanut Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,440,000.00
Summary
Peanut allergy affects ~2% of the population and is the major cause of food triggered deaths from anaphylaxis. Typically peanut allergy is lifelong. Currently there is no specific treatment. Our vast experience in immunology for house dust mite and grass immunotherapy allowed us to identify critical components of peanut proteins needed as a safe vaccine to build tolerance to peanut foods. Now we will progress this novel and revolutionary vaccine through early phase clinical trials.
Development Of An In Vitro Immunodiagnostic Test For Serum IgE Specific To The Major Pollen Allergen, Pas N 1, Of The Subtropical Bahia Grass
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,435.00
Summary
Treatment of grass pollen allergy by immunotherapy reduces the risk of asthma but most reagents for diagnosis and treatment are based on cool climate grasses. We will develop a more specific diagnostic blood test for people with hay fever and allergic asthma triggered by subtropical Bahia grass pollen. This test based on the major allergen of Bahia grass pollen, Pas n 1, will help people who need improved accuracy of diagnosis and more effective treatment outcomes for hay fever and allergic asth ....Treatment of grass pollen allergy by immunotherapy reduces the risk of asthma but most reagents for diagnosis and treatment are based on cool climate grasses. We will develop a more specific diagnostic blood test for people with hay fever and allergic asthma triggered by subtropical Bahia grass pollen. This test based on the major allergen of Bahia grass pollen, Pas n 1, will help people who need improved accuracy of diagnosis and more effective treatment outcomes for hay fever and allergic asthma.Read moreRead less
Exploration Of Exposures Associated With Bedding That Are Risks For Childhood Allergy And Asthma Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,500.00
Summary
Asthma prevalence in Australia has doubled in the last 20 years, with 1 in 4 children now affected. House dust mites are probably the single most important allergen associated with asthma. The prevalence of mite allergy is linked to exposure, and such allergy when combined with high exposure, is a potent risk factor for asthma exacerbations. The current international advice for managing mite-allergic asthma, strongly advocates the use of bedding encasings as the best way to reduce exposure. Howe ....Asthma prevalence in Australia has doubled in the last 20 years, with 1 in 4 children now affected. House dust mites are probably the single most important allergen associated with asthma. The prevalence of mite allergy is linked to exposure, and such allergy when combined with high exposure, is a potent risk factor for asthma exacerbations. The current international advice for managing mite-allergic asthma, strongly advocates the use of bedding encasings as the best way to reduce exposure. However, three recent major trials using encasings and a meta-analysis of earlier trials all fail to show a clinical benefit. One of the applicants (ET) recently showed, using expertise in measuring personal exposure, that these encasings, as used, fail to significantly reduce aeroallergen exposure. By contrast, 3 recent Australian studies, involving the applicants, AK, ALP and NG showed that feather bedding compared to synthetic bedding, was strongly protective for asthma - the opposite of public advice. The suggested mechanisms involve reduced exposure to mite allergens, or altered exposure to bacterial endotoxin, but persuasive experimental support is lacking. We also propose a novel hypothesis that feather exposure may induce allergic 'tolerance'. Currently there is a lack of certainty about valid approaches to prevent asthma, and the Global Initiative for Asthma has described the need to understand mechanisms and improve interventions as urgent. This project is an ideal opportunity to combine the expertise of the CIA (ET) in measuring airborne exposures (mite, endotoxin, proteins) with that of the others who have expertise in children's asthma, and who are already involved in two large clinical trails involving different bedding and allergen avoidance. Our measurements of these bedding exposures and their clinical outcomes will provide, for the first time, a quantitative basis to refine public health allergen-based interventions to prevent and manage asthma.Read moreRead less
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,905,420.00
Summary
Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in t ....Allergic disorders including asthma are amongst the most prevalent diseases in Australia afflicting up to 25% of the population and costing the Australian Government in excess of $600 million annually. This program aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation, focusing on the cross-talk between scavenger cells at airway surfaces and circulating cells of the immune system. These studies will combine sophisticated mouse models of airway inflammation in the laboratory with clinical investigation and analysis of human tissue. Understanding these processes will translate into better treatments for patients suffering from life-threatening allergy and asthma.Read moreRead less
Regulatory Roles Of Mast Cells In Cutaneous Dermatitis In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,965.00
Summary
Allergic conditions that can affect the skin, such as contact dermatitis or eczema are common amongst Australians. Although not life threatening, these common skin conditions can cause considerable physical diability and be expensive to treat. The major focus of our research is to define how dermal mast cells can be modulated to help limit the tissue changes and damage associated with these skin conditions, and ultimately develop improved treatments in the future.