Alveolar Macrophage Zinc And Zinc Transporters And Their Role In Phagocytosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$288,975.00
Summary
Zinc is an essential dietary component that serves a number of functions in the lungs. It is both an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Some airway inflammatory diseases such as emphysema may involve a critical loss of lung zinc. We believe that cigarette smoke causes the loss of zinc and this prevents the lung macrophages from working properly to clear bacteria and dead cells. This will provide a foundation for our long term goals of better clinical management of emphysema.
Role Of Zinc In The Respiratory Epithelium And Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$224,250.00
Summary
This project will use a panel of Zinquin-derived Zn fluorophores developed in our laboratory, as well as probes for the mammalian family of vesicular ZnT transporters, to carry out a study of the normal physiology of Zn in the respiratory system and potential abnormalities of this in patients with chronic inflammatory respiratory disease (asthma, COPD, chronic smoking). Chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract affect a significant proportion of the Australian community. For example ....This project will use a panel of Zinquin-derived Zn fluorophores developed in our laboratory, as well as probes for the mammalian family of vesicular ZnT transporters, to carry out a study of the normal physiology of Zn in the respiratory system and potential abnormalities of this in patients with chronic inflammatory respiratory disease (asthma, COPD, chronic smoking). Chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract affect a significant proportion of the Australian community. For example, asthma affects 12% of adults and amongst these, 15% waken weekly or more often with their asthma while 6% are hospitalized annually. There is a need to understand the basic mechanisms underlying these diseases so that new strategies can be developed to modify bronchocondtriction and inflammation. The project will provide new knowledge concerning the physiology of Zn in the respiratory epithelium and interactions between Zn deficiency and oxidants on injury in the respiratory tract. The usefulness of easily accessible nasal epithelial cells as a measure of Zn and Zn transporter levels deeper in the respiratory tract will be assessed. The project encompasses a number of fields and utilizes in vitro cellular and animal models, as well as tissues from human subjects.Read moreRead less
Glycine Transporters regulate the concentration of glycine in the spinal cord and brain. It has been suggested that elevating glycine levels in these regions may be useful in treating pain and schizophrenia. This project will provide the basis for the development of new glycine transport inhibitors that may be used to treat these conditions.
Transfer Of Glutamine Between Astrocytes And Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,500.00
Summary
Brain tissue is comprised of only a few different cell types. These are classified as neurons, glial cells, and cells of mesodermal origin. Glial cells are the most abundant cell type in the brain and include cells known as astrocytes. There is increasing evidence that astrocytes are actively involved in the maintenance and regulation of neuronal function. This study focuses on the mechanisms by which astrocytes supply neurons with precursors for the formation of signalling molecules (neurotrans ....Brain tissue is comprised of only a few different cell types. These are classified as neurons, glial cells, and cells of mesodermal origin. Glial cells are the most abundant cell type in the brain and include cells known as astrocytes. There is increasing evidence that astrocytes are actively involved in the maintenance and regulation of neuronal function. This study focuses on the mechanisms by which astrocytes supply neurons with precursors for the formation of signalling molecules (neurotransmitters) released from neurons in the transmission of nerve impulses. It will establish how these processes are controlled and also try to develop inhibitors that interfere with this process . The project tries to elucidate whether astrocytes actively regulate neuronal functions by regulating precursor supply. The work will make a significant contribution to our understanding of how astrocytes regulate neuronal activity, a process that may be critical in conditions such as stroke and epilepsy. A better understanding of the physiology of astrocytes might lead to improved treatments for these disturbances of brain function.Read moreRead less