Immune-modifying-particle-induced Tregs Induce Remission In Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,440.00
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Disease is the result of inflammatory monocyte-derived dendritic cells that migrate from the blood into the brain, where they stimulate T cells to attack myelin sheaths around neurons. Our novel therapy, known as immune modulating micro-particles reduces monocyte migration and disease in a mouse model, we hypothesize, by inducing immunosuppressive T regulatory cells that control attacking T cells in MS.
Targeting Tregs Using Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) For The Treatment Of Autoimmune Renal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$845,519.00
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the major causes of death in Australia. Therapeutic success with regulatory T cells (Tregs) capable of targeting autoimmune kidney disease would have major clinical implications. In the proposed study, we will use Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) T cells by redirecting them to diseased organs, protect against kidney injury. These CAR T cells will recognise renal antigens and target immune cells and antibodies to limit kidney damage.
Television Advertising To Promote NHMRC Guidelines For Low Risk Alcohol Consumption: Experimental Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,013.00
Summary
This project aims to experimentally assess the impact of television advertising that promotes the 2009 NHMRC Guidelines on alcohol consumption, on adults' (aged 18-64) estimates of drinking levels that incur an increased risk of short and long term harm. The Guidelines advise that adults should limit consumption to 2 standard drinks/day to reduce the risk of lifetime harm, and to 4 standard drinks on any single drinking occasion to reduce the risk of short-term harm from that occasion.
The Influence Of NF-KB In The Development Of Autoimmunity And Cancer In Fas/FasL Mutant Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,925.00
Summary
Apoptotic cell death is an essential process in the human body, it removes useless and dangerous cells, preventing autoimmune disease and cancer. Apoptosis is activated when the surface receptor Fas is stimulated by its ligand, FasL, but defective signalling causes disease associated with deregulated NF-?B activation. We will investigate how faulty FasL-induced apoptosis cooperates with deregulated NF-kB activation or defective Aire (immunological tolerance orchestrator) results in autoimmunity.
Testing The Imprecision Hypothesis Of Chronic Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,984.00
Summary
Pain usually occurs when something triggers activity in danger receptors, which are all over the body. The brain receives a huge amount of other sensory input too, which tells the brain what was happening when the danger arose. The brain imprints this sensory barrage and uses it as an early (painful!) warning system next time. If the imprint is imprecise, then the painful warning occurs in non-dangerous situations. We will test whether imprecise imprinting of the sensory input causes the gradual ....Pain usually occurs when something triggers activity in danger receptors, which are all over the body. The brain receives a huge amount of other sensory input too, which tells the brain what was happening when the danger arose. The brain imprints this sensory barrage and uses it as an early (painful!) warning system next time. If the imprint is imprecise, then the painful warning occurs in non-dangerous situations. We will test whether imprecise imprinting of the sensory input causes the gradual development of chronic debilitating pain.Read moreRead less
Rumination And Deficits In The Recall Of Positive Autobiographical Memories In Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,295.00
Summary
The prevalence of depression is increasing and risk of recurrence exceeds 80%. The social and economic burden of depression highlight the urgent need to advance understanding of the habits of thought and memory that keep people feeling depressed, so that psychologists can treat depression more effectively. This project will explain why depressed people feel worse when they recall happy memories. The outcomes will extend theory and guide the improvement of treatments for this condition.
A Helminth-derived Peptide Is A Novel Prophylactic And Therapeutic Treatment For Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,778.00
Summary
Parasitic worms (helminths) secrete molecules that possess a remarkable ability to skew the mammalian immune system towards anti-inflammatory responses. We have expoited a novel peptide secreted by helminths, which offers tremendous potential for the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for a range of immune-mediated conditions. The overarching aim of this project is to further elucidate the mechanism of action and to determine the peptide’s clinical application.
Molecular Signatures Of Public Clonotypes In Human Systemic Autoimmunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,633.00
Summary
New platform technology has been developed to study autoantibody clones in lupus and Sjogren's syndrome. This approach has furthered our understanding of these disorders by the discovery of unique sets of clones that are common to all patients. The unique "molecular signatures" of these clones can be translated to a next-generation diagnostic that detects them in patients at extremely low levels missed by conventional tests.
Immunotherapeutic Strategies In Anti Myeloperoxidase ANCA Associated Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$615,998.00
Summary
Kidney disease is the 10th most common cause of death in Australia. Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a major cause of kidney disease. Autoimmunity underpins disease in most patients with the most severe forms. Following the discovery of the peptide that is the target of this autoimmunity promising new biological treatments are possible. This grant will assess the capacity of four emerging therapies to turn off injurious autoimmunity and treat disease.
The Axis Of Bcl-2, Plasmacytoid DCs And Lupus As A Basis For Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$712,172.00
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects 1 in 1000 Australians, mostly women. Here the immune system goes awry and makes antibodies against the body’s own components including the body’s DNA. This leads to damage to many parts of the body including kidneys, joints, brain and heart. It is incurable. A particular immune cell controls the development of this disease and we have found this cell is selectively killed by an inexpensive drug, which we hope will be a better way of treating SLE.