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.
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.
Investigate The Role Of PAF And CD40 Ligand In Regulating The Proinflammatory Properties Of Platelets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,270.00
Summary
The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlyin ....The cells of the blood play an important role in maintaining healthy blood vessels. We are interested in two types of blood cells, platelets and leukocytes, which together play a key role in vessel maintenance, by promoting blood clot formation and vessel wall repair following injury. However, while critical for normal blood vessel maintenance, these cells have also been demonstrated to contribute to disease states including atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammatory airway diseases. Underlying the function of both blood cell types is their ability to stick (or adhere) to each other. However the way in which they coordinate this adhesion is very complex. New information from our laboratory has demonstrated that the sticky behaviour of each cell type is spatially and temporally regulated, and may involve may factors both inside and outside of the cells themselves. Our studies aim to define the key components regulating the 'stickiness' of these blood cells, in order to undertand how they contribute to maintaining healthy vessel walls, but also how their stickiness may also contribute to the promotion of diseased vessels. This information will not only increase our knowledge of the factors that regulate blood clot formation, but may also assist in the development of new therapies to prevent and-or treat vessel disease.Read moreRead less