Targeting Oxidant-dependent Pathways To Treat Skeletal Muscle Wasting In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,089,054.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. A significant proportion of COPD patients have skeletal muscle wasting and loss of strength which severely impacts on their quality of life and survival. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine how skeletal muscle wasting occurs in COPD and to then develop new medicines to treat skeletal muscle wasting and dysfunction in COPD.
Identifying New Therapeutic Targets For Preventing The Induction And Progression Of COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$649,314.00
Summary
Smoking leads to lung inflammation that causes emphysema, which is a major health problem in Australia. Once induced there is a progressive decline in health, which continues even after stopping smoking. There are no treatments that halt this decline. Recently small genes have been discovered that control inflammation. We may be able to control these small genes and stop the induction and progression of emphysema. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating emphysema ....Smoking leads to lung inflammation that causes emphysema, which is a major health problem in Australia. Once induced there is a progressive decline in health, which continues even after stopping smoking. There are no treatments that halt this decline. Recently small genes have been discovered that control inflammation. We may be able to control these small genes and stop the induction and progression of emphysema. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating emphysema.Read moreRead less
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in signifi ....Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem and has been predicted to become the third largest cause of death in the world by 2020. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD and accounts for more than 95% of cases in industrialized countries. Cigarette smoke triggers cells in the lung to release substances which cause inflammation and eat away lung tissue. In addition, these substances enter the blood and muscle where they eat away muscle resulting in significant weight loss. Patients with COPD have severe difficulty in breathing because the lungs are damaged and do not function properly. This process, once started, cannot be reversed and there is currently no satisfactory therapy to help treat individuals with this terrible disease. People with COPD are prone to viral and bacterial infections of the lungs. These infections cause further inflammation, lung damage and difficulty in breathing. These infections place a tremendous burden on health care resources, have a huge effect on the quality of life and are a common cause of death. The reason why respiratory infections are so serious for people with COPD is unclear. Preliminary results from our laboratory show that a substance called GM-CSF, released from cells in the lung, may be involved in the development of COPD. Thus, the aim of this project is to use our mouse models of COPD to determine whether GM-CSF is involved in the development of COPD. The insights gained may lead to the identification of potentially novel ways to prevent and treat COPD.Read moreRead less
Determine The Role Of The SAA-Macrophage Axis On Respiratory Pathogen Clearance In Smoke Exposure Related Lung Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$617,810.00
Summary
Direct or second hand exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases your risk of acquiring a chest infection. Infants and elderly smokers are particularly susceptible. This will continue to be a major global problem as household smoke exposure remains high in developing countries and disadvantaged indigenous communities. We will investigate how smoke alters important immune cells that normally clear lung infections, which may lead to completely new ways of treating chest infections.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Respiratory Viral Infection- And COPD-induced Predisposition To Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,888.00
Summary
Bacterial pneumonia is a major health problem particularly for children and the elderly. Bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and new treatments are urgently required. Viral infection and emphysema lead to increased risk of pneumonia. We will investigate the mechanisms of how viral infections and emphysema lead to pneumonia. We will then use new treatments to stop these mechanisms from occurring to prevent and treat pneumonia. This project may produce new treatments and cures for pneumonia.
Modifying Epigenetics As A Novel Treatment In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,122,854.00
Summary
Smoking leads to inflammation that causes emphysema, which is a major health problem. Once induced there is a progressive decline in health, which continues even after stopping smoking. There are no treatments that halt this decline. Recently smoking-induced changes in genes have been discovered that control inflammation. We may be able to reverse these changes and stop the induction and progression of emphysema. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating emphysema.
Elucidating The Role Of Mast Cell Tryptases In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Crohn's Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$620,716.00
Summary
Smoking leads to inflammation that causes emphysema and inflammation in the lung and gut, which are major health problems. Once induced, there is a progressive decline in health and there are no effective treatments. Particular proteins and small genes have been discovered that control inflammation in these diseases. We may be able to control these proteins/genes and stop the progression of emphysema and gut inflammation. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating t ....Smoking leads to inflammation that causes emphysema and inflammation in the lung and gut, which are major health problems. Once induced, there is a progressive decline in health and there are no effective treatments. Particular proteins and small genes have been discovered that control inflammation in these diseases. We may be able to control these proteins/genes and stop the progression of emphysema and gut inflammation. This project may lead to a completely new way of preventing and treating these diseases.Read moreRead less
Novel Pharmacological Strategies To Treat Cognitive Dysfunction In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$872,455.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major incurable global health burden and is the 4th largest cause of death worldwide. Up to 60% of COPD patients suffer from cognitive dysfunction (i.e. a brain disorder which affects learning, memory, attention) which often leads to dementia. The reason for this is unknown so the aim of this study is to determine why people with COPD suffer from mental disorders then develop novel treatments to treat these disorders in COPD patients.
An innovative research strategy will be applied to address chronic inflammation in a debilitating lung disease termed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This research will involve the therapeutic targeting of protective processes that normally switch off inflammation.
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.