Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors regulate the function of the major cells involved in allergic inflammation.

Funded Activity Summary

An important aspect of the immune system is its ability to maintain a delicate equilibrium between the extremes of reactivity and quiescence. A break in this equilibrium can lead to unchecked activation of immune cells or inability of these cells to mount an effective defence. Potential outcomes of the unchecked activation of cells are autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergic diseases such as asthma. A new family of cell surface proteins termed leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LIRs) has been shown to regulate immune cells by either increasing or decreasing their activity. In this project we will study the role of LIRs in regulating the activity of the major cells involved in allergy and asthma. This study would provide important insights to mechanism(s) of regulation of immune cell activation during protective immune responses such as the fight against infections and cancers and during pathological inflammations such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Understanding the role of the LIRs in the regulation of immune cell activation might lead to new therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the balance between the inhibitory and activating LIRs.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $254,250.00

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

Allergic inflammation | Allergic inflammations such as asthma | Autoimmunre diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis | Ig-like activating receptors | Ig-like inhibitory receptors | Immune evasion by cancer cells | Immune regulation | Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors

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