Development Of New Therapies For Respiratory Diseases And Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,490.00
Summary
Prof Hansbro’s group have developed world 1st experimental models of emphysema, severe asthma infection and lung cancer. He uses them to further our understanding of these untreatable diseases. This has led to the development of new potential therapeutic approaches. Now, in discovery programs he will expand studies of pathogenesis to identify new therapeutic targets these diseases. In development and translational programs he will progress new therapies towards clinical application.
Dissecting In Vivo Cellular Responses To Interferons In Pathogen-infected Hosts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,694.00
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by virulent bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Mechanisms underlying host resistance to the pathogen are poorly understood. Using a novel reporter mouse, the function of interferons in Mtb infection will be defined in vivo by tracking the cytokine-responsive cells. This will increase our understanding of the effects of these important cytokines in vivo, and could provide new candidate biomarkers for TB diagnosis.
Enhancing Innate Immune Responses To Influenza In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$522,323.00
Summary
Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these c ....Infection with influenza is a serious health problem for all, but particularly those with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current treatments are limited. We have previously shown that human COPD airway cells are more susceptible to infection with influenza and the virus is able to effectively block the early immune response. We propose to define the mechanism that underlie this and design novel inhibitors to enhance the early immune response of these cells and reduce the effects of infection.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Role Of Th22 Cells In Regulating Respiratory Immune Responses In Health And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,476.00
Summary
T cells that produce the cytokine IL-22 (Th22 cells) are found in infectious and inflammatory lung disease. However, the role of Th22 cells in promoting or preventing disease remains largely unknown. We have discovered how to grow Th22 cells and have generated a unique strain of IL-22 reporter mice, which will allow us to identify their role in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Our investigations will provide new insights into therapeutic approaches for these diseases of the lung.
Characterising The Pro-inflammatory Role Of IL-36γ/IL-36R In Pathogen-induced Exacerbations Of Asthma And COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$738,768.00
Summary
Lung infections cause exacerbations in patients with asthma and COPD and these are difficult to treat and can be life-threatening. We have discovered that the cytokine pathway, IL-36?/IL-36R, is linked to the host response to bacterial and viral infections that induce exacerbations in these patients. Our studies will provide new insight into the role IL-36?/IL-36R in infection, disease exacerbation and determine the therapeutic benefit of blocking this pathway.
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.
Novel Inhalation Formulation Of Colistin And Combination Therapy Against Gram-negative 'superbugs'
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,896.00
Summary
Respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are major health problems for Australians. Colistin is the last-resort defense in most cases. However, parenteral administration of colistin will cause serious side effects. This proposal applies an interdisciplinary approach using aerosol particle engineering, functional lung imaging and antimicrobial pharmacology to develop and characterise novel inhaled powder formulations of colistin and its rational combinations.
Engineering Powder Aerosols Of Antibacterial Nanomedicines For Treatment Of Respiratory Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$195,338.00
Summary
This project aims to apply cutting-edge nanotechnology to develop new inhalation therapy for respiratory infections by delivering antibiotics directly to the lungs. The expected outcomes of this work are more efficacious, safer and cost effective treatments for patients suffering from respiratory infectious diseases such as pneumonia.
Exposure Of Bronchial Epithelial Cells To Inflammatory Stimuli Impairs Their Innate Immune Response To Rhinovirus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,966.00
Summary
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common respiratory conditions in Australia, both of these conditions are characterised by acute attacks precipitated by respiratory virus infections. The most common trigger for these acute attacks is the usually innocuous common cold virus, rhinovirus. The reason for this susceptibility remains poorly understood. We have previously shown that the cells lining the airways of asthmatics are more susceptible to infection with rhi ....Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common respiratory conditions in Australia, both of these conditions are characterised by acute attacks precipitated by respiratory virus infections. The most common trigger for these acute attacks is the usually innocuous common cold virus, rhinovirus. The reason for this susceptibility remains poorly understood. We have previously shown that the cells lining the airways of asthmatics are more susceptible to infection with rhinovirus and fail to react to this infection effectively. We propose to further elucidate this defect and for the first time determine if it is also present in subjects with COPD. We will examine the airway cells of subjects with asthma and COPD and look for evidence of a defective immune response, relating this to the presence of persistent bacterial infection. We will then grow these and infect them with rhinovirus, carefully examining the mechanisms behind this impaired response to infection and then see if we can induce such impairment in these cells with chronic exposure to infection and inflammatory stimuli. Our laboratory is well placed to investigate these problems with an established track record in investigating patients with inflammatory airways disease and virus infection, unparalleled access to sufficient well characterised clinical samples and have demonstrated the ability to study virus epithelial cell interactions. This work will highlight those at risk of developing frequent debilitating exacerbations along with the reasons for this and identify areas to target novel therapeutic interventions.Read moreRead less
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.