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M2 Macrophage Polarization As A Cause Of Vascular Fibrosis And Stiffening In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$657,028.00
Summary
Blood vessel stiffening is a hallmark of hypertension (A.K.A. high blood pressure) and is thought to be a major contributor to the clinical complications of the condition, which include heart failure, stroke and renal impairment. Here we will test the novel concept that this stiffening process is caused by certain types of white blood cells (macrophages), which enter the walls of blood vessels and signal the surrounding cells to produce a rigid scaffolding protein called collagen.
Regulation Of Inflammation And Coagulation By Microparticles Containing SerpinB2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$594,133.00
Summary
SerpinB2 is a protein that is abundant during many types of inflammation. However, what this protein actually does remains an enigma. We have found that SerpinB2 is associated with microparticles; small particles found in everyone’s blood, that are used by cells to communicate with each other. We believe inappropriate levels of SerpinB2 on these microparticles change both inflammation and blood clotting; a contention with implications for several diseases including pre-eclampsia and cancer.
Control Of Expression And Activity Of The ABCG1 Cholesterol Transporter In Vascular Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$389,546.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis is the disease that narrows arteries and causes heart attacks, which kill many Australians. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, cholesterol builds up inside the cells in the walls of our blood vessels. In this project, we plan to study a molecule present in these cells that we think is important for exporting unwanted cholesterol. If we can find out how this molecule works, we may be able to design drugs to increase its capacity and hence prevent or reverse the process of ath ....Atherosclerosis is the disease that narrows arteries and causes heart attacks, which kill many Australians. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, cholesterol builds up inside the cells in the walls of our blood vessels. In this project, we plan to study a molecule present in these cells that we think is important for exporting unwanted cholesterol. If we can find out how this molecule works, we may be able to design drugs to increase its capacity and hence prevent or reverse the process of atherosclerosis.Read moreRead less
The Novel Role Of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase (eEF2K) In Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,531.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis causes build up of cholesterol plaques inside blood vessels that cause heart attacks and strokes. Macrophages are a type of cell that accumulate inside these plaques to make them grow. We work with a molecule called eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K), that controls how cells in the body divide and survive. We are studying how eEF2K controls the macrophage build up in plaque to develop new treatments against atherosclerosis that can stop heart attacks and strokes.
Clinical Implications Of Trans-kingdom Microbial Interactions In The Transplanted Lung
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,909.00
Summary
Lung transplantation is a critical requirement for people with severe lung diseases. The lung is constantly exposed to bugs and viruses, which reside in the airways, and can be both beneficial or detrimental for lung health. This interaction between the immune system and these bugs can influence the health and longevity of the lung transplant. We aim to discover how we could target these interactions to improve the long-term success of lung transplantation.
Immunomodulatory Properties Of Amnion: From Pregnancy To Regenerative Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$446,349.00
Summary
Cells from the placenta have been shown to have regenerative capabilities, repairing injured tissues. In this research we aim to explore how the cells do this. In particular we will address how transplanted placental cells talk to the recipient's immune cells to better coordinate tissue repair and prevent scarring. In short, we aim to learn how these cells coordinate immune function during pregnancy to then apply this knowledge to regenerative medicine.
Unconventional Mechanisms For Activating The NLRP3 Inflammasome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,031.00
Summary
Many inflammatory driven diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis and septic shock are also associated with cell death. This project will identify, at the molecular level, how cell death signalling specifically acts to trigger pathological inflammation. As such, it will identify novel targets for the development of next generation anti-inflammatory drugs.
Identification Of Host Factors That Restrict Influenza Virus Replication In Macrophages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,446.00
Summary
Influenza virus infects different cells in the airways, including immune cells (macrophages) and non-immune cells (epithelial cells). Epithelial cell infection results in virus amplification and release whereas macrophage infection leads to virus destruction. This project will identify cellular factors expressed by macrophages that block virus amplification and release. Identification of novel antiviral factors is an important step towards developing strategies to reduce influenza disease.
The C-type Lectin Mincle Exemplifies A New Mode Of Sterile Inflammation In Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$609,237.00
Summary
This project investigates two of the life-changing cardiovascular events that most commonly impact on Australians today; Heart attack and Stroke. These diseases often leave individuals debilitated with a long recovery period, and for many people the event is fatal. We have shown that blocking the action of an immune component, "Mincle", reduces the inflammation associated with stroke, and improves recovery. This project looks at what Mincle does in brain and heart muscle, and why blocking Mincle ....This project investigates two of the life-changing cardiovascular events that most commonly impact on Australians today; Heart attack and Stroke. These diseases often leave individuals debilitated with a long recovery period, and for many people the event is fatal. We have shown that blocking the action of an immune component, "Mincle", reduces the inflammation associated with stroke, and improves recovery. This project looks at what Mincle does in brain and heart muscle, and why blocking Mincle protects cells from loss of oxygen.Read moreRead less
An innovative research strategy will be applied to address chronic inflammation in a debilitating lung disease termed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This research will involve the therapeutic targeting of protective processes that normally switch off inflammation.