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A Randomised Controlled Trial To Prevent Eczema, Food Allergy And Sensitisation Using A Skin Barrier Improvement Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$878,163.00
Summary
In this world first study, we will test if building the infant skin barrier by using daily regular skin care treatment can reduce the incidence of eczema. If successful, this trial will alter infant skin care practices and reduce the burden of allergic diseases in our community. Furthermore, as infants with eczema having a poor skin barrier, which possibly increases their risk of developing sensitisation, we will test if this intervention reduces the risk of food allergy.
Targeting MiRNA To Inhibit Leukocyte Differentiation: A Novel Anti-inflammatory Approach For The Treatment Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,386.00
Summary
In asthma, the symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction in the lung and the production of inflammatory cells whose maturation is guided by tiny molecules called “microRNAs”. The critical microRNAs will be identified and strategies to block their function developed and tested for their ability to inhibit allergic inflammation to evaluate this approach as a new treatment for asthma.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Steroid Resistant Inflammatory Pathways In Mouse Models Of Asthma: Potential New Treatment Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,694.00
Summary
Steroids are used to treat asthma but some patients are resistant to therapy, and there is no effective treatment. Such patients suffer greater morbidity and mortality, and the heath care cost for clinical management is a significant economic burden. In this project we will obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate steroid-resistant components of disease, which control inflammation and narrowing of the airway. These studies will be central to the development of new therapies.
Phenotypic And Functional Characterisation Of CD4 T Helper 22 Cells And Their Role In The Regulation Of Chronic Allergic Disease Of The Lung And Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,061.00
Summary
Allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma and allergic dermatitis are major health problems in our community that lead to poor quality of life. These diseases are induced by activation of immune cells known as T helper (Th) lymphocytes. Recently Th22 cells have been identified in patients with allergic diseases. In this study we will, for the first time, characterise these cells and determine their role in the processes that lead to chronic inflammation in asthma and allergic dermatitis.
A New And Effective Approach To Reversal Of Allergic Airways Inflammation By Turning Off Allergic Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,514.00
Summary
Inflammatory diseases like asthma develop from misdirected immune responses. The ultimate goal of therapeutic strategies is to remove or inactivate the cells that cause inflammation while leaving other cells, for example, those required for protection from infectious diseases and tumours, unaffected. Here we propose to test a new way of turning off the inappropriate immune reaction with the goal of preventing or reversing asthma.
Inhibition Of IFN-?/? By Human Metapneumovirus And The Induction Of Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$605,251.00
Summary
The newly isolated human metapneumovirus (hMPV) causes significant respiratory illness in infants, young children and the elderly. The virus can persist long-term and may predispose individuals to chronic lung disease. This proposal aims to determine the mechanisms by which hMPV infection causes respiratory disease, with a view to improving treatments and preventing disease.
Determining The Role Of Vitamin D In The Development Of Asthma And Allergic Diseases In High Risk Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,127.00
Summary
Allergic diseases like asthma, eczema and hay-fever, prevent our children from getting a healthy start to life, and we don’t know how to prevent these conditions. Vitamin D levels may be critical in the development of childhood asthma and allergies, and they can be easily modified! Using a group of 620 children who we have followed for 20 years, we will identify the role of vitamin D levels in the development of allergic conditions, and factors that modify these relationships.
Regulation Of Skin Inflammation By Mechanosensor YAP
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,566.00
Summary
Atopic diseases are a significant public health burden in the developed world. The economic cost of care and reduced quality of life for asthmatics necessitates that greater action and resources be directed toward the treatment and prevention of the atopic march. This project aims to identify molecular regulators of this disease process which may identify novel targets for therapy and early intervention.
Transition From Childhood To Adult Asthma: Predicting Persistent And Adult-onset Asthma In Young Adults In The Raine Longitudinal Birth Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,018,496.00
Summary
While many children grow out of their asthma a significant number continue to have asthma in later life. The Raine community birth cohort has followed newborn infants from birth and has contributed to our understanding of how asthma develops throughout childhood. The proposed project aims to assess those factors that contribute to the persistence of asthma throughout childhood in into early adult life in the as well as investigate the predictors of adult onset asthma at 23 years of age.
Asthma is a National Health Priority in Australia. This project follows the major international study of asthma and allergic diseases in adults. We will re-examine people who have taken part in previous studies in Melbourne. The project also surveys people of the same age currently living in the same area. Participants complete a short postal questionnaire. In the follow-up group, responders complete a more extensive questionnaire and come to our laboratory for clinical assessments.