The Role Of IL21 In Integrating Proliferation, Migration And Differentiation Following B Cell Activation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Immunity is essential to health and requires the production of antibodies. The best antibodies are made by B-cells coming from specialised structures, called germinal centres (GC). To understand why sometimes immunity is excellent - childhood vaccines - and other times not - HIV infection, aged people - we need to understand what happens inside GC. Our prediction is that by understanding GC B cell behaviour, we will resolve good from poor immune responses and thereby develop improvements.
Our bodies rely on the production of potent, or ‘high affinity’, antibodies to fight infection. We have found that antibody responses are unexpectedly boosted following the depletion of a specific subset of immune cells. This is especially true for B cells that are poor antibody producers. Our findings are likely to be relevant to (1) the design of vaccines to infectious agents that have important CTL and antibody components (e.g. HIV), (2) for the improved production of antibody for therapeutic ....Our bodies rely on the production of potent, or ‘high affinity’, antibodies to fight infection. We have found that antibody responses are unexpectedly boosted following the depletion of a specific subset of immune cells. This is especially true for B cells that are poor antibody producers. Our findings are likely to be relevant to (1) the design of vaccines to infectious agents that have important CTL and antibody components (e.g. HIV), (2) for the improved production of antibody for therapeutic use (e.g. cancer).Read moreRead less
Modeling Human Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 1B (ARPC1B) Deficiency In Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$755,005.00
Summary
The actin cytoskeleton forms the structure that not only keeps cells in their normal shape but is also essential for the movement of cells and for interaction between cells. We have recently identified the first patients with an immunodeficiency caused by a defect in a gene called ARPC1B, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of actin. Through the investigation of novel mouse models we will elucidate the pathomechanism underlying the disease of these patients.
Signal Integration During The Early B Cell/CD4+ T Cell Interactions In T-dependent Antibody Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,783.00
Summary
Effective humoral immunity results from the complex interaction of B and T lymphocytes. STAT3, CD40L, SAP and ICOS are molecules that are involved in this interaction. Genetic mutations of these molecules result in well defined primary immunodeficiencies underscoring their importance. This study aims to characterise the integration of these early signals as well as other inputs that B cells receive and characterise the CD4+ cells that provide this help.
Investigation Of Cellular Abnormalities And Synapse Formation In DOCK8 Immunodeficiency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,284.00
Summary
Why do some people get allergies? Or serious infections? To investigate this we will study mice and humans with a mutation in the DOCK8 gene. People with mutations in the DOCK8 gene get Hyper-IgE Syndrome and develop severe viral infections of the skin as well as allergic disease. By investigating how DOCK8 works in the cells of the immune system, we hope to understand why these infections and allergies occur and find out why these problems can also happen in those without this specific genetic ....Why do some people get allergies? Or serious infections? To investigate this we will study mice and humans with a mutation in the DOCK8 gene. People with mutations in the DOCK8 gene get Hyper-IgE Syndrome and develop severe viral infections of the skin as well as allergic disease. By investigating how DOCK8 works in the cells of the immune system, we hope to understand why these infections and allergies occur and find out why these problems can also happen in those without this specific genetic defect.Read moreRead less