Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.
Molecular And Cellular Control Of Human Th9 Cell Differentiation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,888.00
Summary
T helper 9 (Th9) cells are a recently defined population of CD4+ T cells that have been implicated in immunological disorders ranging from allergy, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer, to host defence against fungal and parasitic infections. As such, Th9 cells are extremely important to human health and disease. This project aims to define the mechanisms involved in the generation, regulation and function of human Th9 cells.
The Mezzanine T Cell Response: Intervening At The Coal Face
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,585.00
Summary
In an initial immune response, specialised cells in lymph nodes tell T cells to multiply; the stimulated T cells depart and enter target tissue (e.g. lung in the case of flu). We describe a new response whereby the target tissue itself can tell T cells to multiply further. This response in target tissues reveals a new way of altering immune responses. This is especially important as in many diseases, the primary lymph node response has already occurred, so cannot be therapeutically intervened.
The Role Of Kdm1a In Epigenetic Regulation Of Virus-specific T Cell Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,982.00
Summary
Recovery from infection, or vaccination, results in the establishment of protective immunity that persists for the life of an individual. Unfortunately, our understanding of how protective immunity is established and maintained after infection or vaccination is lacking. This proposal will determine whether specific enzymes involved in rewriting the genetic blueprint are key for establishing and maintaining this protective capacity. Understanding these mechanisms has implications for vaccination ....Recovery from infection, or vaccination, results in the establishment of protective immunity that persists for the life of an individual. Unfortunately, our understanding of how protective immunity is established and maintained after infection or vaccination is lacking. This proposal will determine whether specific enzymes involved in rewriting the genetic blueprint are key for establishing and maintaining this protective capacity. Understanding these mechanisms has implications for vaccination and improved immunotherapy strategies for cancer.Read moreRead less
Determining Immune Dynamics During Controlled Primary Infection In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,823.00
Summary
T cells are critical to human health being our second and last line against infectious disease and cancer. However, we know very little about how this hugely complex immune compartment operates during primary challenge with infectious disease. This project will use new technologies to resolve this immune compartment to high detail during the days, weeks and years following controlled infection in human volunteers.
Determinants Of CTL Recruitment Into The Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,647.00
Summary
The size of CD8+ T cell (CTL) responses is central to their efficacy in virus control, and can be substantially influenced by how effectively they are recruited and expand after infection. This study will determine the impact of both CTL characteristics and antigen abundance on CTL recruitment and expansion after infection. Understanding the nature of these influences will enable a more informed approach to the clinical manipulation of CTL responses.
Defining The Role Of Innate T Cells In The Onset And Progression Of Chronic Periodontitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,978.00
Summary
Particular immune cell populations (innate T cells), have a critical role in immunity. These cells are stimulated by bacterial cell wall components and are one of the first cells to appear after infection. We have shown that these innate T cells are stimulated by oral bacteria that cause the disease chronic periodontitis. This project will investigate how these innate T cells affect bacterial induced periodontitis and what role they play in disease outcomes.
The Impact Of Micropolymorphism Within The T Cell Receptor Genes And Their Target Antigenic Peptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the immune system by recognising virus-infected tissue through the use of highly specific T cell receptors (TCRs). This project will investigate the importance of genetic variation in the TCR genes in influencing how we fight infections. Another aim is to examine how the immune system tolerates genetic variation in an infecting virus. Advances in these areas will aid in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines.
Investigating The Role Of TGF-beta In Resident Memory T Cell Induction And Maintenance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,495.00
Summary
I am a research scientist interested in the immune system. Specifically, I intend to investigate immunological memory, which is the basis of vaccination. This refers to the ability of certain immune cells such as T and B cells to ‘remember’ a pathogen, so that a rapid and enhanced response can be generated upon re-infection with the same pathogen. This can be investigated by experimental techniques such as flow cytometry, histology and confocal microscopy on cells from infected mouse tissue.
HARNESSING T CELL QUALITY FOR PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,146.00
Summary
Developing highly effective vaccines is critical to rapidly combat global pandemics. To generate a protective antibody response against novel viruses, a vaccine must elicit a targeted B cell response supported by effective CD4 T cell help. We propose that existing CD4 T cell memory can be harnessed to rapidly and effectively support B cell responses to novel vaccine candidates. This work will contribute to pandemic preparedness strategies and improve the development pathway for new vaccines.