Mast Cells Are Key Negative Regulators Of Skin Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,519.00
Summary
Australians are at high risk of sun-induced skin cancer and skin damage caused by the harmful ultraviolet (UV)-B rays in sunlight. Our research focuses on understanding how skin mast cells act as part of the body’s natural defence against skin tumourigenesis caused by excessive UVB exposure or chemical insult to the epidermis. Understanding the innate mechanisms that protect against excessive skin damage and cancer might lead to better prevention and treatment strategies in the future.
Regulatory Roles Of Mast Cells In Cutaneous Dermatitis In Vivo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,965.00
Summary
Allergic conditions that can affect the skin, such as contact dermatitis or eczema are common amongst Australians. Although not life threatening, these common skin conditions can cause considerable physical diability and be expensive to treat. The major focus of our research is to define how dermal mast cells can be modulated to help limit the tissue changes and damage associated with these skin conditions, and ultimately develop improved treatments in the future.
The Role Of Crim1 In Growth Factor Activity And Cell Motility/adhesion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,065.00
Summary
Crim1 is a novel protein which appears to regulate the activity of growth factors and therefore affects the normal development of a number of organs. It is particulrly involved in normal development of blood vessels. A greater understanding of how growth factor activity is modulated by Crim1 will have significance to almost every developmental and disease state involving such growth factors. The potential for Crim1 to link the activity of several distinct growth factor pathways may explain tissu ....Crim1 is a novel protein which appears to regulate the activity of growth factors and therefore affects the normal development of a number of organs. It is particulrly involved in normal development of blood vessels. A greater understanding of how growth factor activity is modulated by Crim1 will have significance to almost every developmental and disease state involving such growth factors. The potential for Crim1 to link the activity of several distinct growth factor pathways may explain tissue specific differences in growth factor responses. These basic advances in understanding will have implications for many disease states, including renal disease, vascular disease and cancer.Read moreRead less
Molecular And Histopathological Investigation Of Stress Fracture Healing And Effects Of Anti-inflammatory Drugs.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,652.00
Summary
Stress fractures are debilitating injuries affecting children, adolescents and adults in sport, and army recruits. They also occur in horse and greyhound racing, often resulting in euthanasia of the animals involved. They incur considerable costs in medical expenses, time lost from sport and interruption to military training. But, there is almost no information on the mechanism of healing of these fractures. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are still the most widely used medication ....Stress fractures are debilitating injuries affecting children, adolescents and adults in sport, and army recruits. They also occur in horse and greyhound racing, often resulting in euthanasia of the animals involved. They incur considerable costs in medical expenses, time lost from sport and interruption to military training. But, there is almost no information on the mechanism of healing of these fractures. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are still the most widely used medication in management of musculoskeletal injuries, yet their effect on healing of stress fractures is unknown. NSAIDs delay fracture healing, but until recently there has been no standardised way of studying stress fractures. We have created, for the first time, a well-characterised, non-invasive model of stress fractures in the forearm of rats that closely resembles the clinical situation. This provides a novel and unique opportunity to determine the histological and molecular mechanism of stress fracture healing, and to investigate effects of antiinflammatory-analgesic medications on this process. Rats will have an experimental stress fracture produced in one forelimb, and its healing will be examined up to ten weeks using microscopic investigation and analysis of the genes that are turned off or on to initiate the process. Groups of rats will also be treated with antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, specific COX-2 inhibitors and a new class of drugs that target early immune responses called C5a receptor antagonists. The analgesic Paracetamol will also be investigated as an alternative to the NSAIDs described above. There is widespread use of anti-inflammatory agents in managing stress fractures, so it is vital that their effects on stress fracture healing be examined. This project has enormous significance for optimising approaches for clinical management of stress fractures and for understanding the interaction of anti-inflammatory or analgesic agents in that process.Read moreRead less
Application Of Adult Stem Cells To Bioengineered Corneal Epithelium And Endothelium Autografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Damage to the cornea causes vision loss. Transplants can restore sight but carry risk of rejection and therefore require anti-rejection therapy, which has side effects. Bioengineered corneal components could replace transplants. Our goals are: 1) Growth of corneal endothelium and epithelium from adult stem cells to reduce the amount of tissue so the patient's own cells could be used. 2) Develop scaffolds that are suitable for implantation or other methods to deliver cells.