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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Modulation Of Macrophage Function As A Therapy For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,589.00
Summary
We have established that defective clearance of dying cells by phagocytes in the airway can a) perpetuate inflammation in smokers with-without COPD and b) be improved by administration of therapies (Mannose binding lectin and Procysteine) in a mouse model. The current proposal specifically addresses the role of phagocytes in the ongoing airway damage in our COPD patients, and more thoroughly investigates the mechanisms and effects of administration of relevant new therapies (in a mouse model).
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.
Dissecting The Contribution Of IL-17-producing ?? T Cells In The Pathogenesis Of Airway Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$734,570.00
Summary
Airway diseases such as severe steroid-refractory asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are an enormous worldwide burden and have a huge public health impact. Approved drugs for these two diseases provide symptomatic relief but they do not halt the disease process, and curative therapy remains elusive. We have discovered a possible cause of chronic bronchitis, and using advanced techniques we are now probing for ways to turn this discovery into an effective treatment option.
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.
The Development Of Human Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D2 Synthase Inhibitors In Allergic Asthma And Related Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,071.00
Summary
Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a key mediator of asthma and allergic rhinitis. We have developed drug-like compounds that block the synthesis of PGD2 by inhibiting the hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase (HPGD2S) enzyme. This project aims to evaluate the potential of these compounds to treat asthma and to further optimize the drug-like characteristics of our lead molecules.