Appendicitis, Protection Again Colitis And The Role Of Colonic Regulatory T Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$67,381.00
Summary
The appendix has been regarded as a useless organ, however, there are evidence showing its removal reduces the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease. We have shown that this may be due to altered intestinal immune regulation. The project plans to explore the mechanisms responsible for this altered immune regulation. With knowledge of specific elements of disease causation gained from these studies, more effective and targeted treatment options will become available.
I am a physiologist with expertise in endocrinology determining the roles of particular regulatory peptides in the normal functions of the gastrointestinal tract and in the development of gastrointestinal, renal and prostate cancers.
Roles For Gastrin And Hypoxia In Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,508.00
Summary
Our objective is to understand how hormones such as gastrin stimulate the development of colorectal cancer. Our preliminary data shows that the amount of gastrin produced by tumour cells is increased by low oxygen. We will therefore study how the increase in gastrin in response to low oxygen causes a compensatory growth of the tumour. The ability to interfere with this process should allow us to slow tumour growth.
Progastrin Derived Peptides: Biological Activities And Functions In The Gastrointestinal Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,500.00
Summary
Gastrin is a hormone from the stomach which aids digestion by stimulating acid secretion. However too much acid can cause ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrin also stimulates the growth of the lining of the stomach and intestines. This growth promoting effect is important for the development of the gastrointestinal tract before birth and may also be involved in a number of cancers especially colon cancer. Several different forms of gastrin are made by endocrine cells of the stomach and ....Gastrin is a hormone from the stomach which aids digestion by stimulating acid secretion. However too much acid can cause ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrin also stimulates the growth of the lining of the stomach and intestines. This growth promoting effect is important for the development of the gastrointestinal tract before birth and may also be involved in a number of cancers especially colon cancer. Several different forms of gastrin are made by endocrine cells of the stomach and by cancers of the colon. It seems that the different types of gastrins have different effects and act through distinct receptors, but we do not know which are the most important forms and whether all forms are biologically active. The amount, type and activity of the different gastrins, and the regions of the molecule that are essential for biological activity, will be investigated using cell lines, animal models that overproduce too much gastrin, animal models of colon cancer and in patients with colon cancer. Colorectal carcinoma (cancer of the large bowel) is the second most common cause of cancer death. A successful outcome will result in the development of assays for the early diagnosis and monitoring of bowel cancer and the potential for novel treatments such as gastrin receptor antagonists and radiolabelled gastrin analogues for radiotherapy.Read moreRead less
Peptides Derived From ProGRP As Growth Factors For Gastrointestinal Cancers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,544.00
Summary
Our objective is to determine the roles of a growth factor termed bombesin. This peptide, known as GRP in the human, is a growth factor in certain lung cancers but little is known about its role in tumours of the colon. This project is based on our novel observation that the precursor of GRP (proGRP) previously thought to be inactive is in fact active in stimulating the growth of colon cancer cells. A successful outcome will result in novel treatments such as proGRP antagonists.
When Prometheus Needs A Hand – How Human Amnion Epithelial Cells Resolve Fibrosis And Regenerate The Liver
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$530,653.00
Summary
Cirrhosis can progress to end stage disease for which transplantation provides the only hope for survival. Liver donors in Australia are scarce; the need for donor organs is increasing. Using stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged liver may provide an alternative to organ transplantation. We are studying placental stem cells that can decrease inflammation and increase progenitor cells to repair and regenerate liver. Our goal is to use these stem cells as treatment for human liver disease
Cellular Cross-talk Between Liver Progenitor Cells And Hepatic Stellate Cells Is Required For Hepatic Fibrogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,517.00
Summary
Deloitte Access Economics data proposes the total economic burden of liver disease in Australia in 2012 was >$50 billion. This study will identify how the liver heals itself by inducing liver cell populations which interact to regenerate damaged liver tissue in chronic liver disease. This knowledge may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of liver scarring and liver cancer, and to assist in normal liver regeneration following chronic liver disease.
Colorectal carcinoma (cancer of the large bowel) is the second most common cause of cancer death. Colorectal carcinomas in common with other cancer types such as cancer of the prostate and lung often produce their own growth factors and receptors. Activation of the receptor by the growth factor further stimulates the tumour's growth and spread throughout the body. The objective of this project is to deterrmine the potential roles of a growth factor termed bombesin. This peptide, now known as GRP ....Colorectal carcinoma (cancer of the large bowel) is the second most common cause of cancer death. Colorectal carcinomas in common with other cancer types such as cancer of the prostate and lung often produce their own growth factors and receptors. Activation of the receptor by the growth factor further stimulates the tumour's growth and spread throughout the body. The objective of this project is to deterrmine the potential roles of a growth factor termed bombesin. This peptide, now known as GRP in mammalian systems, is an established growth factor in certain lung cancers but little is known about its role in tumours of the large bowel. This project is based on our novel observation that the precursor of GRP (proGRP) previously thought to be inactive is in fact biologically active in stimulating the growth of colorectal carcinoma cells. We will determine which parts of the GRP precursor (proGRP) are bioactive, and test the effects of the bioactive regions on growth and cancer spread using a variety of colorectal cancer cell lines. We will also investigate the effects of the bioactive regions of proGRP on the development of colorectal cancer in three animal models, which represent different stages of the progression to invasive cancer. We will then compare the intracellular pathways by which proGRP and GRP communicate with the cell nucleus, and investigate the structure of the cell-surface receptor that binds the proGRP. Finally we will determine the types and amounts of proGRP derived peptides produced by CRC cell lines and by tumours obtained from patients with colorectal cancer. A successful outcome will result in the development of assays for the early diagnosis and monitoring of bowel cancer and the potential for novel treatments such as proGRP receptor antagonists and radioactive proGRP analogues for radiotherapy.Read moreRead less
Functional Dyspepsia: Characterisation Of The Immunopathology And Testing A Novel Therapeutic Strategy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,604.00
Summary
Dyspepsia, unexplained stomach discomfort and pain, is a common and costly problem; few effective treatments exist and the causes are unknown. We have found that the numbers of a type of immune cell, the eosinophil, are increased in the top of the small bowel in patients with dyspepsia. This study will explore the mechanisms that lead to increased eosinophils and then test the effectiveness of a treatment to suppress this overactive immune response which could rapidly change clinical practice.