The Regulation Of B Cell Differentiation And Survival In Response To Antigen Challenge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,409.00
Summary
Antibodies are crucial to health and well being but can cause disease if their production is not controlled appropriately. This research program examines the basis of antibody production in normal situations and in situations where it is causing illness, in diseases like system lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in cancers of antibody producing cells called multiple myeloma (MM). The aim is to enable control of the process to achieve better health outcomes and better management of disease.
Determining The Essential Regulators Of Antibody Production
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$768,612.00
Summary
Plasma cells produce the antibodies that are essential to protect us from pathogenic microorganisms and provide the basis for the beneficial effects of vaccination. Plasma cells can also cause disease through the production of antibodies against our own body, for example in Lupus and in the blood cell cancer multiple myeloma . Our research aims to understand the genetic regulation of antibody production, with an aim to "switch off" inappropriate antibody supply in disease.
Dissecting The Mechanisms Of Vaccine Immunogenicity And Induction Of Protective Immunity Against Influenza Virus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,145.00
Summary
Influenza pandemics have historically led to worldwide morbidity and mortality. Vaccination remains to be the only plausible strategy to limit widespread mortality as a result of an influenza pandemic. The parts of the immune system important in protecting individuals from influenza virus are poorly understood. This research aims to understand the important correlates of protective immunity in order to improve vaccine design.
Regulation Of The Production Of IgE Antibodies By Antigen-specific B Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,662.00
Summary
Our team has been studying the immune cells that make antibodies and recently discovered that cells without a particular gene make large amounts of IgE antibody. IgE is responsible for asthma and other allergies, which are a major cause of morbidity in the Western world. Based on this discovery, we aim to find out exactly how and why IgE is made in some circumstances but not others, and what other immune cells are involved. These results will identify a way to prevent asthma and other allergies.
Importance Of Functional Antibodies Against Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Antibodies are highly functional proteins capable of recognizing infectious disease pathogens and instructing surrounding immune cells to attack them. This project aims to identify specific antibody targets on HIV and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis associated with protection/control of disease and to understand the mechanisms behind the most functional antibodies. Ultimately, these studies will guide the development of future vaccines and therapies against these deadly pathogens.
Epigenetic Mechanisms That Regulate B Cell Differentiation And Memory B Cell Persistence To Provide Long-term Immune Protection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,196.00
Summary
Memory immune cells remember antigens that have previously induced an immune response, and the ability of these cells to rapidly clear pathogens has led to successful vaccination programs. This project will study epigenetic changes during the formation of immune memory that results in protection against foreign antigens. Understanding these processes will assist in creating more effective vaccines and treatments for patients with immune disorders.
This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� c ....This program brings together a team of researchers from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research to study how the body regulates antibody production to fight disease. Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, searching for signs of infection. When they encounter an invader, they mature, with the help of other immune cells, into antibody-producing cells. A small proportion of the cells are set aside as _memory� cells that can rapidly become antibodyproducing cells should the same infection occur again in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an antibody-producing cell, by studying the genes that are known to be required for the cells to form, or to do their work. We will study animals whose immune systems are under- or over-active, to find out what part of the antibody-producing process is faulty. Using this information, we hope eventually to be able to study diseases of antibody producing cells in humans (as occur in allergy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia), to be able to identify the precise cause of the problem, and to suggest a therapy. This information may also be used to improve the outcome of vaccination where an enhanced antibody response is desired.Read moreRead less
Innate Immune Effector Recruiting Potential Of HIV-1 Human Vaccine Induced Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$333,018.00
Summary
A HIV vaccine is urgently needed. A recent human HIV vaccine trial has indicated that Antibody Dependent Cellular Cyotoxicity (ADCC) may be protective. Understanding the role of ADCC HIV-specific antibodies in the context of vaccination has now become one of the most critical questions in HIV vaccine research today. This research aims to comprehensively study ADCC in samples from various HIV Vaccine trials to develop improved vaccine strategies to prevent the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS ....A HIV vaccine is urgently needed. A recent human HIV vaccine trial has indicated that Antibody Dependent Cellular Cyotoxicity (ADCC) may be protective. Understanding the role of ADCC HIV-specific antibodies in the context of vaccination has now become one of the most critical questions in HIV vaccine research today. This research aims to comprehensively study ADCC in samples from various HIV Vaccine trials to develop improved vaccine strategies to prevent the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS.Read moreRead less