The Functional Roles Of ADAMs In The Regulation Of Embryo Implantation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,527.00
Summary
The initiation of pregnancy in humans and rodents hinges upon the ability of the embryo to attach to the wall of the uterus and invade into the uterine tissue. This process of embryo implantation is tightly regulated and depends on the secretion of enzymes and regulators of these enzymes. A newly identified family of enzymes which might be important in this process is the ADAMs family. These enzymes have the potential to facilitate both cell attachment and cell invasion and also to activate othe ....The initiation of pregnancy in humans and rodents hinges upon the ability of the embryo to attach to the wall of the uterus and invade into the uterine tissue. This process of embryo implantation is tightly regulated and depends on the secretion of enzymes and regulators of these enzymes. A newly identified family of enzymes which might be important in this process is the ADAMs family. These enzymes have the potential to facilitate both cell attachment and cell invasion and also to activate other enzymes and growth factors. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown the ADAMs to be expressed both at the most invasive time of implantation and when invasion is being down-regulated. This project will examine the role of the ADAMs in embryo implantation facilitating attachment and invasion into the uterus by acting enzymatically on the uterine tissue and by activating other enzymes. It will also determine the role of ADAMs in down-regulating invasion potentially by activating a growth factor, TNF-alpha. Knowledge of this process and particularly its regulation is important for the treatment of pregnancy associated diseases that arise from improper implantation. These include infertility, placenta accreta, choriocarcinoma, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, an understanding of the regulation of implantation will contribute to the treatment of other conditions associated with cell invasion such as cancer metastasis.Read moreRead less
Inhibition Of Interferon-?/? Induction By Ross River Virus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,664.00
Summary
Ross River virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes arthritis in the joints of many people infected. This project will look at the early interactions of a virulent virus with the mammalian host that appear to enable the virus to replicate and spread in the host and thereby cause disease. These interactions are with the host interferon protein which the virus has developed the ability to inhibit. The effect of the invading virus on the host's interferon system, part of the immune system, will ....Ross River virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes arthritis in the joints of many people infected. This project will look at the early interactions of a virulent virus with the mammalian host that appear to enable the virus to replicate and spread in the host and thereby cause disease. These interactions are with the host interferon protein which the virus has developed the ability to inhibit. The effect of the invading virus on the host's interferon system, part of the immune system, will be examined.Read moreRead less