Pathogenesis Of A New Mouse Model Of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,820.00
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's disease are autoimmune inflammatory diseases which cause long-term pain and deformity of joints, spine and bowel. Using a new mouse model of both diseases, we will study cells and processes involved in the initiation of disease, in order to discover new targets for prevention and treatment. The work will have importance for design of new therapies for human inflammatory spine and bowel diseases.
The Role Of Susceptibility Genes And Microbiota In Inflammatory Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,924.00
Summary
Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatment ....Utilising my background in Immunology I will investigate whether specific genetic mutations can create a susceptibility for dysregulation of the flora and immune system within the gut, thus predisposing an individual to inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as non-intestinal inflammatory conditions. These diseases are becoming an increasingly prevalent and serious health burden in Australia. We aim to use this knowledge in order to design specific treatments for these diseases.Read moreRead less
MicroRNA Networks That Safeguard The Functional Program Of Regulatory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,941.00
Summary
A newly discovered group of molecules termed microRNAs are thought to function as rheostats for the activity of genes. We have shown that these molecules are critical for the function of an immune cell type termed regulatory T cells. Without these cells, the immune system is unable to prevent uncontrolled and destructive inflammation. This proposal aims to utilize diverse technologies to uncover the precise molecular mechanisms by which microRNAs safeguard the function of regulatory T cells.
Molecular And Cellular Studies Of The Adaptive Immune Response In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$16,509,154.00
Summary
Immune responses protect us against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. However inappropriate immune responses can result in autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythmatosus, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, asthma as well as immunodeficiencies. The aim of our proposal is to gain a thorough understanding of how all the cells of the immune system function and interact with each other, and what goes wrong when inflammatory diseases develop. We plan to do this using state-of-of-the ....Immune responses protect us against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. However inappropriate immune responses can result in autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythmatosus, multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, asthma as well as immunodeficiencies. The aim of our proposal is to gain a thorough understanding of how all the cells of the immune system function and interact with each other, and what goes wrong when inflammatory diseases develop. We plan to do this using state-of-of-the-art technologies, including genetically modified mice, gene microarrays, monoclonal antibodies, and flow cytometry. We have brought together Australia's leading immunologists with complimentary expertise and research interests in specific areas of immunology including cytokines, cell migration, inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity and cell-cell interactions. One aspect of the application is to understand the genetic and molecular basis of immunological diseases. However we also wish to move on from an understanding to treatment of immunological diseases through the development of novel therapeutics. We will form collaborations with biotech and pharmaceutical companies (including our own spin off companies) to advance important new therapeutics for autoimmune and allergic diseases. These conditions represent a significant health burden to Australia.Read moreRead less
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a condition which causes inflammation in many different organs and can lead to significant suffering and death. Glucocorticoids (GC) are very good at controlling inflammation, however they have severe side effects such as diabetes and bone thinning, and cannot be used long term. This project aims to investigate a protein “GILZ” in patients with SLE. GILZ may have similar anti-inflammatory effects to GC but may not be associated with the same side effects.
Cellular Pathogenesis Of Key Proteins Involved In Neurodegenerative Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,730.00
Summary
Prion proteins are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The aim of this research proposal is to investigate factors which can change the prion protein from a normal, benign, form into an abnormal shape which can cause disease. The outcomes of this work will provide further insight into the role of prion proteins in these diseases and also for other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Investigations In Multiple Sclerosis Patients With Coexistent Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$557,100.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurological disease affecting over one million people around the world. MS is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which a person's own immune cells start to attack components of the brain and spinal cord. However, it is thought that the same components are not attacked in all patients, and that the pathway that leads to MS varies from one person to another. Therefore, in order to develop successful treatment strategies for MS, it will be ....Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic neurological disease affecting over one million people around the world. MS is generally thought to be an autoimmune disease, in which a person's own immune cells start to attack components of the brain and spinal cord. However, it is thought that the same components are not attacked in all patients, and that the pathway that leads to MS varies from one person to another. Therefore, in order to develop successful treatment strategies for MS, it will be necessary to look for patterns in the clinical symptoms and signs and other features of a person's MS that may give clues as to which particular pathway is leading to disease in that person. Some people who develop MS also develop other autoimmune diseases, or have these other diseases before they develop MS, or have other family members who have other autoimmune diseases. We have recently found that people who have the same combination of coexistent MS and autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) show similar clinical signs of MS, and tend to have damage (lesions) to the same areas of their nervous system. This suggests that these people may have the same underlying pathways leading to the development of MS, and that they may be a very informative group in which to look for immune or genetic abnormalities that might explain why they develop MS. This project will investigate people who have both MS and AITD and other members of their families to see if we can work out what the links are between having the same combination of autoimmune diseases and developing lesions in particular parts of the nervous system. It will provide information on the pathways that lead to the development of MS, and information obtained from this study may eventually be of use in developing more specific therapeutic agents, by tailoring therapies to specific people with MS, depending on the clinical and immunological profile of that person.Read moreRead less
The Influence Of NF-KB In The Development Of Autoimmunity And Cancer In Fas/FasL Mutant Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,925.00
Summary
Apoptotic cell death is an essential process in the human body, it removes useless and dangerous cells, preventing autoimmune disease and cancer. Apoptosis is activated when the surface receptor Fas is stimulated by its ligand, FasL, but defective signalling causes disease associated with deregulated NF-?B activation. We will investigate how faulty FasL-induced apoptosis cooperates with deregulated NF-kB activation or defective Aire (immunological tolerance orchestrator) results in autoimmunity.