Conventional And Unconventional T Cells In Interstitial Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,531.00
Summary
Acute damage to the kidney is a common life-threatening condition. Recent studies have shown that less well-studied types of immune cells contribute to kidney damage. However, how these cells enter and injure the kidney is unknown. In this project we will use a special microscope to look into the blood vessels of the kidney and visualise the cells inside kidney blood vessels in order to uncover their behaviour as they respond to acute inflammatory insult to the kidney.
Monocytes On Patrol – Key Mediators Of Renal Injury In Glomerulonephritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,888.00
Summary
The glomerulus is the filtering component of the kidney. In many diseases, it can be the target of an inappropriate inflammatory response. As part of this response, white blood cells accumulate in the glomerulus where they cause damage. In this project, we make use of special microscopes to examine the glomerulus during an inflammatory response, with the aim of understanding the actions of white blood cells present in glomeruli and how they cause inflammation and damage the glomerulus.
Understanding Leukocyte Function In Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and lupus, white blood cells accumulate in organs and cause injury. The focus of this project is to understand how white blood cells leave the bloodstream and enter tissues. In particular, this project examines their contribution to inflammatory diseases of the kidney. By understanding this process in greater detail, we may be able to design more specific therapies to combat these conditions.
The glomerulus is the filtering component of the kidney. In many diseases, it can be the target of an inappropriate inflammatory response. As part of this response, white blood cells accumulate in the glomerulus where they cause damage. In this project, we make use of special microscopes to examine the glomerulus during an inflammatory response, with the aim of understanding the actions of leukocytes present in glomeruli and how they cause inflammation and damage the glomerulus.
The Role Of Fractalkine In Leukocyte Recruitment In The Periphery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,196.00
Summary
This research will determine whether a new type of gene plays an important role in inflammation in tissues in the periphery. If it does, we will design strategies to inhibit its function, thereby controlling its effects in inflammation. Such treatment may be useful for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes as well as allergies.
Regulation Of Leukocyte Recruitment In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$686,656.00
Summary
In inflammatory diseases such as asthma, arthritis and atherosclerosis, white blood cells enter affected tissues causing inflammation and tissue destruction. This research will investigate the processes whereby white blood cells enter affected tissues, particularly how they exit the circulation, and migrate throughout tissues during inflammatory responses. An improved understanding of this process may identify new ways of interfering with the disease process in various inflammatory diseases.
Defining The Roles Of The Chemotactic Receptor EBI2 For The Regulation Of Leukocyte Migration And The Generation Of Immunity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,747.00
Summary
The proposed study aims at improving our understanding of the role of the immune cell receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2) in guiding the movement of white blood cells during immune responses. The project will investigate the function of EBI2 in the control of infectious diseases and its regulation on human immune cells. These insights have the potential to create new therapeutic approaches to treat human autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and improve vaccine design.
Regulation Of Leukocyte Trafficking By Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$239,250.00
Summary
The entry of white blood cells in to tissues is a primary event which drives tissue and organ damage in a number of inflammatory and immune mediated conditions. Diseases as diverse as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or shock due to bacterial infection (septic shock) have many different triggers and manifestations. However almost all autoimmune and inflammatory diseases have one common feature: white blood cells must leave the blood and enter tissue in order to cause tissue inflammation and ultimatel ....The entry of white blood cells in to tissues is a primary event which drives tissue and organ damage in a number of inflammatory and immune mediated conditions. Diseases as diverse as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or shock due to bacterial infection (septic shock) have many different triggers and manifestations. However almost all autoimmune and inflammatory diseases have one common feature: white blood cells must leave the blood and enter tissue in order to cause tissue inflammation and ultimately tissue damage and loss of function. The mechanism whereby white blood cells leave the blood stream and cross blood vessel walls to get into tissues is a multi-step process often referred to as white blood cell trafficking. Most of the current treatments for immune and inflammatory conditions have the primary aim of keeping white blood cells out of tissue in order to prevent damage. Some of these treatments, like steroids (cortisone), are very effective but cannot be used for prolonged periods because of the risk of problems like bone thinning (osteoporosis), high blood pressure or diabetes. Other treatments and immunosuppressive agents can also be effective but are themselves associated with toxicity and risk of organ damage. Although substantial progress has been made in the management of immune and inflammatory conditions in the last 50 years, the current treatment options are far from ideal. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory substance released by cells which comprise the blood vessel wall as well as by white blood cells themselves. It is known to contribute to the build up of white blood cells in inflamed tissue. The effect of MIF on white blood cell trafficking has never been examined. Understanding how MIF promotes white cell entry in to tissues could be crucial in our understanding of this important process and blocking MIF may prove to be a useful and effective way to prevent it.Read moreRead less
Coordinating Leukocyte Migration And Interaction During Immune Responses: The Multiple And Central Roles Of The Orphan G Protein Coupled Receptor EBI2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$512,716.00
Summary
The ability of the immune system to fight infections relies on the capacity of immune cells to navigate within the body. This study aims at understanding the role of the immune cell receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2) in guiding the movement and the interaction of the different types of white blood cells during immune responses. These insights will add to our understanding of immune cell migration thereby offering new therapeutic approaches to improve or control immune responses.