Fine Positioning And Effector Function Of T Cells Recruited To The HCV Infected Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,973.00
Summary
The majority of patients who become infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unable to mount an effective immune response and clear the virus and therefore develop lifelong (chronic) infection. The persistence of virus in the liver of patients with chronic infection results in the recruitment of significant numbers of immune cells, notably T cells, from the bloodstream into the liver where they are involved in both viral control (but not viral clearance) and liver injury. The level of tissue in ....The majority of patients who become infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unable to mount an effective immune response and clear the virus and therefore develop lifelong (chronic) infection. The persistence of virus in the liver of patients with chronic infection results in the recruitment of significant numbers of immune cells, notably T cells, from the bloodstream into the liver where they are involved in both viral control (but not viral clearance) and liver injury. The level of tissue injury observed and the speed of disease progression may be linked to the type of T cells recruited, their function, and their position in the liver. The aims of this project are to determine the factors involved in the fine positioning of T cells in the liver and establish a relationship between T cell recruitment, function, and progression of HCV disease in the liver.Read moreRead less
Enhancement Of Mucosal Immunity And CTL Avidity Against HIV-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$553,070.00
Summary
Production of strong antiviral immunity at the local mucosa (genito-rectal track) is essential for protection against HIV-AIDS. We believe that expression of small hormone-like molecules known as Th2 cytokines IL-4-IL-13 negatively influence the generation of protective immunity against HIV. Thus we aim to counteract these effects by co-expressing proteins known as chemokines together with vaccine antigens to improve the quality of mucosal vaccine immunity.