G-CSF: A Pathogenic Effector In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Its Comorbidities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,241,551.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an incurable lung disease that is a huge global health burden, and new therapies are urgently needed. We have recently discovered a possible cause of COPD. This single factor also appears to drive other associated medical problems that are the biggest contributors to patient deterioration. Using advanced genetics, biochemistry and molecular methods we are searching for ways to turn our discovery into effective treatments for this fatal disease.
Inflammometry In Stable COPD; A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,351.00
Summary
COPD is a common condition associated with many clinical consequences that negatively impact on quality of life. The burden of illness from COPD remains high despite current treatment. There is an urgent need to improve management of COPD and we propose that individualized management targeted to airway and systemic inflammation will do this. This study will examine the effect of targeted anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with COPD and will examine the role of a simple blood test to assess ....COPD is a common condition associated with many clinical consequences that negatively impact on quality of life. The burden of illness from COPD remains high despite current treatment. There is an urgent need to improve management of COPD and we propose that individualized management targeted to airway and systemic inflammation will do this. This study will examine the effect of targeted anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with COPD and will examine the role of a simple blood test to assess and manage COPD.Read moreRead less
Exploring The Contribution Of Interferon-lambda To Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$833,235.00
Summary
We have found that a novel protein, normally made in response to viral infections, is found in the blood of Lupus patients. This project will determine the cells that make this protein, what in Lupus blood makes these cells produce it and whether it plays a role in the severity of Lupus disease.
Protracted Bacterial Bronchitis: Long Term Outcomes, Systemic And Airway Predictors Of Recurrence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$804,405.00
Summary
Our study will determine the long term clinical outcomes of children with protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), a common cause of chronic cough in children. We will also conduct novel experiments that were pioneered in Australia to evaluate recurrent PBB.
Relationship Between Periodontal Disease And Rheumatoid Arthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,657.00
Summary
Periodontal (gum) disease and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases affecting humans. These two diseases have remarkably similar patterns of tissue destruction. It is possible that individuals with chronic periodontitis may prime or predispose individuals prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of periodontal disease may help reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
Targeting Cytokine Signalling In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$917,626.00
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease where the immune system attacks normally healthy tissues. The spontaneous overproduction of signalling molecules called interferons in lupus plays an important role in the severity of the disease. We have found that two proteins, named Bcl6 and PLZF, are important in controlling the interferon response in lupus patients. We propose that identifying how these proteins act to control interferon will aid in developing new treatments for lupus.
Interleukin 38: Uncoupling Innate Inflammation From Interferons In Lupus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,048,669.00
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an incurable autoimmune disease that affects 5 million patients worldwide, mostly young women. Grave multi-organ inflammation and substantial loss of life expectancy render SLE a critical unmet medical need. We found that the immune system protein interleukin 38 disables several signalling pathways essential for SLE progress. We will explore regulation and function of this protein in cells from healthy people and SLE patients and in models of the disease.
Mechanisms Of Immune Complex-mediated Inflammation In The Cerebral Microvasculature
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$146,500.00
Summary
Immune complexes are formed when an antibody binds to the molecules it is directed against. Normally, this is important for fighting infection. However in some autoimmune diseases, inappropriate formation of immune complexes can be damaging to our own tissues. This damage occurs because immune complexes attract white blood cells to the areas where they form. Many tissues can be affected by this process. However, we know very little about the effects of immune complexes specifically in the brain. ....Immune complexes are formed when an antibody binds to the molecules it is directed against. Normally, this is important for fighting infection. However in some autoimmune diseases, inappropriate formation of immune complexes can be damaging to our own tissues. This damage occurs because immune complexes attract white blood cells to the areas where they form. Many tissues can be affected by this process. However, we know very little about the effects of immune complexes specifically in the brain. This is important because immune complexes are found in the brain in diseases such as lupus. Therefore the aim of this proposal is to determine how immune complexes induce damaging inflammation in the brain.Read moreRead less
Defining The Cellular And Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Autoimmunity Using A Model Of SLE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,960.00
Summary
The immune system has to recognize the difference between foreign pathogens, which it should attack, and ourselves, which it should not. Autoimmune diseases, like lupus, occur when our immune systems attack our own tissues due to problems in regulation. We have developed an animal model of lupus that has allowed us to identify major points where immune regulation has failed. Identifying these checkpoints will allow us to design and trial novel therapeutics in lupus.