The development of protective immunity is essential to fight infection. This depends on a small number of master regulatory transcription factors that drive the differentiation of precursor cells into mature immune cells such as NK, T and dendritic cells. This proposal will provide a fundamental advance in our understanding of immune cells and impact strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of pathogen infections.
PH-dependent, Antibody-mediated Enhancement Of Genital Chlamydial Infection: Implications For Vaccine Design ?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$373,228.00
Summary
Antibody found in cervicovaginal secretions is predominantly of the IgG subclass. In the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract IgG antibodies against surface antigens on Chlamydia may actually enhance rather than prevent infection, due to uptake of IgG-coated bacteria by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), which is found on the surface of epithelial cells in the reproductive tract. The proposed studies will determine the effects of chlamydial antibodies on the course of infection.
Prof Carbone’s laboratory specialises in the study of immunity at the body surfaces. These surfaces include skin and mucosal tissues such as respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, all of which are the common points of entry for a variety of infectious agents. He has found that there exist cells at these peripheral sites that are separate from the immune components that one finds in the blood and, more importantly, that provide a profound level of protection during new infection. He now propose ....Prof Carbone’s laboratory specialises in the study of immunity at the body surfaces. These surfaces include skin and mucosal tissues such as respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, all of which are the common points of entry for a variety of infectious agents. He has found that there exist cells at these peripheral sites that are separate from the immune components that one finds in the blood and, more importantly, that provide a profound level of protection during new infection. He now propose to determine how best to induce this type of peripheral immune protection and how one can exploit these mechanisms for the purpose of infection control.Read moreRead less
The immune system is the essential complex barrier that protects the organism for infections and some malignancies. Despite considerable efforts, the mechanism by which immune cells kill dangerous unwanted cells is poorly understood. This project will investigate the mechanism of action and the role in human pathologies of a key component of the immune system, a toxic protein perforin.
Control Of Immunoreceptor Assembly And Function By Intramembrane Sequence Elements
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,121.00
Summary
The cells of the immune system constantly survey their environment for changes that indicate damage. To sense their surroundings cells employ a host of receptors that are associated with signalling adapter proteins that initiate signalling cascades inside the cell when receptors bind ligands. This project seeks to determine the structural mechanisms of signal propagation across the plasma membrane of immune cells.
Understanding The Key Attributes Of CD8 T Cell Receptor Transfer As An Antiviral Strategy And Harnessing The Process To Combat Persistent Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,885.00
Summary
We have recently discovered a new process through which the numbers of antiviral immune cells can rapidly expand, without dividing, to combat a virus infection that may otherwise be fatal. This represents a significant advance in our knowledge on how a speedy, virus-specific response can be mounted. We will study how this process can be applied to therapeutic strategies to overcome medically significant persistent viral infections.