Active Lung Disease In Survivors Of Preterm Birth? Can We Treat It?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,862.00
Summary
More than 15 million babies are born preterm each year. Those that survive face a lifetime of ongoing breathing problems and lung function that worsens through childhood. Our study will work out how inflammation in the lungs contributes to these ongoing breathing problems during childhood. We will also look at how the exhaled breath of preterm children is different to term children and test how treatment with an inhaled anti-inflammatory medicine changes the lung disease in preterm children.
The Importance Of Neutrophil Plasticity In Early Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Lung disease is a lifelong problem for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Blood immune cells called neutrophils swarm the lung and cause ongoing damage. No treatments exist because how CF lungs talk to neutrophils is poorly understood. I will apply new skills from an international neutrophil expert to study samples from AREST CF, a world leading CF research group. This unique combination will recreate the early CF lung in the laboratory, testing triggers of CF lung disease and potential drugs.
G-CSF: A Pathogenic Effector In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Its Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,551.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an incurable lung disease that is a huge global health burden, and new therapies are urgently needed. We have recently discovered a possible cause of COPD. This single factor also appears to drive other associated medical problems that are the biggest contributors to patient deterioration. Using advanced genetics, biochemistry and molecular methods we are searching for ways to turn our discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
Predicting The Long Term Lung Health Outcomes In Young Adults Born Very Preterm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,201.00
Summary
Preterm birth and its resulting lung problems can lead to breathing problems during childhood and into adult life. There are very few lung health studies that have tracked preterm individuals from childhood and into early adult life. This study will conduct a detailed lung health assessment in a follow-up of a group of preterm individuals at 19 years of age. We aim to identify if information we obtained in the group at 6 and 11 years can predict how the lungs look and behave at 19 years of age.
Molecular Characterisation Of TRAIL-regulated Signal Transduction Pathways And Their Role In The Development, Persistence, And Exacerbation Of Allergic Airways Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,035.00
Summary
Molecules that promote the development, persistence, and exacerbation of asthma are only poorly defined. We have discovered a novel signalling pathway that is activated in the airway wall during asthma. Blocking a molecule that activates this pathway ameliorated asthma in mice. We now want to identify all the important components of this pathway and therapeutically modulate them to prevent the development, persistence, and exacerbation of asthma.
Role Of Amnion Derived Stem Cells In Reducing Lung Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,485.00
Summary
Human amniotic epithelial multipotential cells from the term placenta are being studied in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis-emphysema to demonstrate their anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, immune-suppresive and lung repair capability. The availability and numbers of these cells from discarded placentas at birth are unlimited and their potential to repair serious lung disease would have strong clinical interest as a new stem cell therapy.
The Role Of Src Family Tyrosine Kinases In Inflammatory Lung Disease And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$535,333.00
Summary
We aim to learn why some people develop COPD, a serious lung disease, and adenocarcinoma, a common fatal lung cancer. COPD is mostly caused by cigarette smoke which induces lung inflammation. Lung inflammation, which involves macrophage activation, is a major cancer risk. Macrophages can destroy lung tissue, and they may promote cancer development. We will study the role of Src kinases, which can regulate macrophage activation, which may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
Characterisation Of A Novel Signaling Network That Translates Early-life Respiratory Infection Into Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Bacterial and viral respiratory infections in early-life cause permanent damage to the lungs and reduce lung function in later life. They may also increase the risk of developing asthma and emphysema. These are substantial health problems in Australia. My project aims to identify how infections cause these effects. This will enable me to identify new therapeutic targets and develop new therapies for the prevention of chronic lung diseases.
The Role Of Long Non-coding RNA In Regulating Lung Immunity And Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung, asthma and COPD, account for significant morbidity and poor quality of life in our community. Respiratory infection is one of the major causes of exacerbation and affects 50-80% of both asthma and COPD patients admitted to hospital. These groups of patients are steroid resistance and difficult to manage. Our aim is to identify novel molecules important in regulating inflammation and to target them therapeutically to treat these patients.
THE ROLE OFPROTEASES AND PROTEASE ACTIVATED RECEPTORS IN RESPIRATORY EPITHELIAL CELL FUNCTION IN ASTHMA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,500.00
Summary
The epithelium lines the airways and is, therefore, constantly exposed to a variety of exogenous antigens, infectious agents and noxious stimuli. This tissue responds to such stimuli by secreting substances that help counteract the insult while simultaneously initiating healing and repair. In this proposal, we will investigate the role of a group of receptors present on the surface of the epithelium which monitor the area surrounding the epithelium for the presence of enzymes which digest host t ....The epithelium lines the airways and is, therefore, constantly exposed to a variety of exogenous antigens, infectious agents and noxious stimuli. This tissue responds to such stimuli by secreting substances that help counteract the insult while simultaneously initiating healing and repair. In this proposal, we will investigate the role of a group of receptors present on the surface of the epithelium which monitor the area surrounding the epithelium for the presence of enzymes which digest host tissue or pathogens. These receptors, known as PAR, sense their suroundings by binding the protease, a process which then triggers the cell to respond in an appropriate way by releasing cytokines and mediators. There are 4 PAR, each with different properties, and are present on many cells of the body. However, little information about their role on epithelium exists. Although we have shown them to be upregulated in the epithelium in the socio-economically important disease, asthma, their function in this disease remains elusive. We will, therefore, initiate studies to define their role in inflammation, healing and repair as this information may lead to a better understanding of their role in disease which may then translate into better treatment.Read moreRead less