The influence of glucocorticoid hormones in T cell development and function

Funded Activity Summary

The defence of the body to disease is a very complex process involving multiple interactions between subsets of white cells, in particular lymphocytes. This immune system, however, does not act in isolation but is subject to constant regulation by a variety of other cells and soluble factors. Particularly important in this regard is the impact of glucocorticoids which are normally associated with stress conditions. These steroids have been proposed to act at several levels in the immune system, usually causing suppression but they can also modify in a positive sense. Defining the targets of glucocorticoids and their precise functional impact will thus have very important implications for not only understanding the regulation of the immune response but also in the clinic. This project will make use of mice which have had the receptor for glucocorticoids genetically deleted. Focussing on T cells (the most important cells of the immune system) these mice will be examined in detail for alterations in the development of T lymphocytes and their function in defending the body against virus and tumours and their involvement in self destruction (autoimmune) diseases including multiple sclerosis.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $406,980.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

autoimmunity | glucocorticoids | immunology | immunosuppression | immunotherapy | thymus

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