Viral Antigen Presentation Kinetics And Memory T Cell Inflation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$503,753.00
Summary
The ageing of the population is one of the major transformations being experienced by Australia’s population which will have major health implications. Recent studies have shown that many elderly individuals display ‘immune risk phenotype’ (IRP) which is characterised by a severely distorted immune system and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. In this project we will investigate the mechanisms by which CMV alters cellular immune system and thus impacts on the host immunity against other path ....The ageing of the population is one of the major transformations being experienced by Australia’s population which will have major health implications. Recent studies have shown that many elderly individuals display ‘immune risk phenotype’ (IRP) which is characterised by a severely distorted immune system and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. In this project we will investigate the mechanisms by which CMV alters cellular immune system and thus impacts on the host immunity against other pathogens.Read moreRead less
Priming, Recruitment And Retention Of Influenza Virus Specific CD8 T Cells In The Upper Airways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$633,371.00
Summary
Influenza virus gains entry into the body by inhalation and initiates its replication cycle within the upper airways. This early stage of infection, when the amount of influenza virus is low, provides the ideal window of opportunity for an effective immune response to limit disease progression. In this proposal we will define the immunity that can be evoked within the upper airways and determine immune mechanisms left behind that can safeguard this region from this important respiratory pathogen
The Role Of Co-signalling Receptors In Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Activity During Infection And Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$739,657.00
Summary
Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs) are immune cells that detect and kill cancer cells. CLs recognise ‘stress’ proteins on cancer cells through specialised receptors, and this provides the signal for them to kill. However, some cancer cells, such as leukemic cells, can interfere with this recognition to avoid killing by immune cells. This project will investigate the mechanism of recognition and killing of cancer cells by CLs, using both mouse models and cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
We know that many parts of viruses are displayed to the immune system, but infection can also result in the display of fragments of our body's own proteins (self-peptides). We will apply cutting-edge technology to find all the virus- and self-peptides that are recognised by the immune system during infection with a vaccine virus and influenza virus. This will help us understand how the body fights infection and perhaps why infection can sometimes start autoimmune diseases.
Determining The Biological Significance Of Allelic Sequence Variation Within The T Cell Receptor Loci
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$627,549.00
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. Advances in these areas will assist in understanding susceptibility to some autoimmune diseases as well as aiding in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines and individualised therapeutics.
The Role Of NOD Proteins In T Cell Development And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$349,590.00
Summary
The long-term goal of this project is to understand the role of NOD proteins in the T cell branch of the immune system. Distorted T cell responses can lead to over-activation and autoimmunity, or host susceptibility to microbial infection. This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of NOD proteins in chronic inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, where altered NOD signaling may generate intrinsic T cell defects, in addition to altered microbial sensing and host protection by the in ....The long-term goal of this project is to understand the role of NOD proteins in the T cell branch of the immune system. Distorted T cell responses can lead to over-activation and autoimmunity, or host susceptibility to microbial infection. This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of NOD proteins in chronic inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease, where altered NOD signaling may generate intrinsic T cell defects, in addition to altered microbial sensing and host protection by the innate immune system.Read moreRead less
A Novel CCR2-dependent Niche For CD8+ T Cell Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,549.00
Summary
In this project, we will determine how a protein called CCR2 controls the generation of memory immune responses and whether its activity can be manipulated to enhance vaccination.
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.
The Role Of Long Peptide Epitopes In Antiviral CD8+ T Cell Recognition.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,652.00
Summary
The immune response to viral infection involves killer T cell recognition of small viral peptides presented by infected cells. Researchers have been attempting to identify the viral peptides that are recognised by T cells. Although these studies have been successful, the major aim of this project is to investigate if the role of unusually long peptides has been underestimated. This project should lead to enhanced monitoring of immune responses and improvements in vaccine design.
Follicular Cytotoxic T Cell Differentiation And Function In Infection And B-cell Lymphoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$963,892.00
Summary
Cytotoxic T cells eliminate infected or cancerous cells, constituting a major arm of the immune defence. In this study, we will investigate a subset of cytotoxic T cells that particularly migrate into B cell follicles to control infection and malignancy. Understanding of the differentiation and function of this subset, termed as follicular cytotoxic T (TFC) cells, will help us to develop new strategies to treat EBV and HIV infections as well as B cell lymphomas.