VITAL: Vaccine Immunomodulation Throughout The Aging Lifespan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$795,117.00
Summary
The elderly respond less well to vaccines than their younger counterparts. Flu is particularly dangerous to the elderly. In this proposal we will determine the likely immune mechanism undelying this difference, as well as specifically address the urgent issue of whether prior injection with a whooping cough vaccine makes Flu vaccines less likely to be effective.
Microenvironmental Regulation Of Blood Cells By Retinoic Acid Receptor Gamma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$958,428.00
Summary
Vitamin A deficiency causes profound effects in humans, with anaemia and an inability to fight infection being consequences of vitamin A deficiency on blood cells. We have evidence that these effects of vitamin A deficiency occur via one of the receptors for vitamin A. Furthermore, these effects are due to changes in the non-blood cells that help to make blood cells. By understanding how this occurs we may identify better treatments for patients with impaired immune systems.
B1a B Cells: Atheroprotective Mechanisms And Therapeutic Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,180.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis-related heart attacks and strokes remain leading causes of global deaths despite use of potent lipid-lowering drugs. Thus, another therapeutic option is urgently needed. Our laboratory found that B1a B cells protect against atherosclerosis. We will study the therapeutic efficacy of expanding B1a cells by different approaches in atherosclerosis. Our proposal for clinical translation is to reduce mortality from atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes.
Novel Posttranscriptional Pathways The Control Tfh Cell Numbers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,539.00
Summary
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are essential for effective antibody responses against infection. Limiting Tfh cells is crucial for selecting the "fittest" B cells and the success of vaccines. Tfh cell accumulation causes autoimmuity and is associated with inadequate B cell responses in HIV infection. We have recently discovered two novel pathways that control Tfh cells. We speculate they regulate different RNAs that influence Tfh homeostasis and aim to elucidate their mechanism of action.
Targeting Antigen To Clec9A On Dendritic Cell For Humoral Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$744,624.00
Summary
Dendritic cells capture infectious organisms and display them to other immune cells to initiate immunity. The process of capturing organisms requires dendritic cells to express a variety of cell-surface receptors that detect components carried by infectious agents. Here we will examine the efficacy of attaching vaccine components to a targeting agent that binds one of these receptors with the aim of enabling dendritic cells to efficiently kick-start immunity against vaccine components.
The immune system must be tightly regulated to make sure that it makes the right response to effectively fight off infection whilst avoiding inappropriate responses that cause damage such as in autoimmunity, inflammation or allergy. This project studies patients who have genetic defects that affect their immune systems and make them susceptible to infection and/or harmful immune responses. This will reveal some of the critical signals that maintain immune control.
In Vivo Imaging Of Protective And Malignant B Cell Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,412.00
Summary
B cells are responsible for producing antibody that protects us from infection. Disruption of healthy B cell function can lead to a myriad of diseases including immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and blood cancers such as leukaemia. The aim of my work is to use powerful microscopy to visualise how mutated B cells interact with their surrounding environment in real-time. These studies will allow the development of new treatments for cancer and immune conditions that target these interactions.