Investigation And Therapeutic Targeting Of The Immune Mechanisms That Predispose To And Increase The Severity Of Influenza In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,097.00
Summary
In pregnancy there is suppression of maternal immunity to enable fetal implantation and growth. Respiratory viruses, like influenza, take advantage of these changes and cause infections that are more severe in pregnant women, affecting them and their babies. In this project we aim to identify specific immune responses against viruses that are reduced in pregnancy that can be selectively boosted. This has the potential to protect against viruses without affecting the pregnancy or baby.
Identification And Characterisation Of HLA-E Restricted Influenza A Virus-specific CD8+ T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,156.00
Summary
With seasonal epidemics and the continual threat of a pandemic, there is an urgent need for a one-shot universal vaccine that protects against different influenza strains. This can potentially be achieved by the activation of killer T cells. I will identify new virus targets presented by a highly conserved human protein. Killer T cell recognition of these targets may provide a unique opportunity to develop an improved vaccine.
The introduction of novel viruses such as influenza and Henipa viruses into the human population from animal reservoirs is often fatal as the virus is not attenuated by adaptation to the host. As we are immunologically naïve, efficient immunity cannot be mounted. T cells mediate the control and clearance of viruses, and can remember past infection or vaccination. Understanding the role of T responses to zoonotic viral infections is needed for development of novel preventative vaccines.
Generation Of Protective Immunity Against Severe Influenza Disease In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,630,970.00
Summary
Hospitalisation and death rates from influenza are high in the Indigenous population, especially when a new virus emerges. There is an urgent need for a vaccine that protects against all influenza strains. T cells recognising conserved viral regions elicit such protection. As T cells are restricted by proteins called HLAs, which vary across ethnicities, we will define T cell regions for HLAs prominent in Indigenous Australians and define how to generate protective immunity against influenza.
Real Time Visualisation Of T Cell Cycling During Influenza Immune Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,679.00
Summary
Influenza remains a major health threat, particularly in the elderly population. Here we will unravel the mechanisms underlying the expansion of killer T cells, a crucial part of the anti-influenza immune response. Using intravital multi-photon microscopy, we will follow the cell cycle dynamics of individual T cells in real time during different stages of influenza. We will further elucidate how ageing impacts on T cell proliferation. Together, this will provide insight into the mechanisms of an ....Influenza remains a major health threat, particularly in the elderly population. Here we will unravel the mechanisms underlying the expansion of killer T cells, a crucial part of the anti-influenza immune response. Using intravital multi-photon microscopy, we will follow the cell cycle dynamics of individual T cells in real time during different stages of influenza. We will further elucidate how ageing impacts on T cell proliferation. Together, this will provide insight into the mechanisms of anti-viral immunity and immuno-senescence.Read moreRead less
This fellowship is to support Professor Stephen Kent in generating new advances in vaccines to prevent HIV (the cause of AIDS) and Influenza (“The Flu”). HIV causes over 1.5 million deaths per year and no vaccine is currently available. Influenza causes around half a million deaths per year. Although the current Influenza vaccine is partially effective, improvements are needed for it to be able to protect against the many different strains of Influenza that can cause infection.
I am a cellular immunologist with expertise in antigen processing-presentation, CTL determinant selection and immunodominance, T cell differentiation and, cancer immunotherapeutic trials and cancer vaccine development.
Lodging Resident Memory T Cells Along The Respiratory Tract As An Approach To Protect Against Influenza Virus Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,555.00
Summary
We have developed methods to deposit highly protective influenza fighting cells along the respiratory tract and we will apply these principles to develop better influenza virus vaccines