Mucins in Gastrointestinal Barrier Function

Funded Activity Summary

Epithelial cell surface mucins are large complex proteins found on the surface of all mucosal epithelial tissues, for example in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive and urinary tracts. Most bacterial and viral pathogens enter the body via mucosal tissues. We have recently demonstrated that mucin proteins are a vital component of initial defence against mucosal pathogens. Defects in these proteins probably predispose individuals to common chronic infective and inflammatory diseases. The proposed research aims to explore the mechanims by which mucins protect from infection, with a focus on the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal infections remain one of the major causes of mortality in children in undeveloped countries. We believe that these proteins are a critical hereto unrecognised element of immunity and that the proposed studies will have broad significance for treatment and prevention of infection. Additionally, understanding the function of mucins could lead to the development of new drugs to treat epithelial inflammation such as that seen in inflammatory bowel diseases and respiratory diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $523,523.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Chronic mucosal inflammation | Gastritis | Gastrointestinal infection | Inflammatory Bowel Disease | bacterial infection | epithelial defence | gastrointestinal barrier function | innate immunity | mucins

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