Molecular Studies Of The Astrocyte Reservoir Of HIV-1 In The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,661.00
Summary
HIV infects the brain causing dementia in 10-20% patients. Strategies aimed at eradicating HIV infection fail to take into account CNS infection. Understanding the way in which HIV enters, infects and replicates in the brain is pivotal in development of drugs to prevent brain infection and dementia. Our studies have shown that HIV infection of the brain involves mechanisms distinct to those observed for blood and other organs. This study seeks to clarify such mechanisms.
Cell Type Specific Biologic Responses To HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,242.00
Summary
The way in which HIV alters the internal environment of its target cells to facilitate its growth will be examined. These changes enhance its ability to gain a toehold in the human body after entering the genital tract and its persistence for life in the brain and elsewhere in the body.
The Role Of Chemokines In Establishing HIV Latency
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$372,049.00
Summary
Although antiviral therapy is effective in controlling HIV, therapy must be continued life-long because the virus cannot be cleared from long lived infected CD4+ T cells that are silently or latently infected. In this proposal we will explore the mechanism of how HIV can enter these resting CD4+ T-cells and establish long lived latent infection. Understanding this process may potentially lead to new strategies to cure HIV infection.
Interactions Between HIV And Mycobacterial Infections Of Macrophages Mediated By Changes In Gene Expression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,625.00
Summary
HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis are two of the worlds most important diseases. HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide and tuberculosis is the leading opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS particularly in the developing world. Both microbes infect the same cell type, the macrophage, which is widely distributed throughout the body, particularly in lymph nodes and lung. Recent studies in humans have shown that HIV and TB like organisms stimulate each others growth. This study us ....HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis are two of the worlds most important diseases. HIV-AIDS is the fourth leading killing disease worldwide and tuberculosis is the leading opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS particularly in the developing world. Both microbes infect the same cell type, the macrophage, which is widely distributed throughout the body, particularly in lymph nodes and lung. Recent studies in humans have shown that HIV and TB like organisms stimulate each others growth. This study uses the immense power of DNA microarrays, based on the identification of almost all genes by the human genome project, to decipher the interactions between the two microbes. By following up new leads indicated by the microarrays, the way in which the microbes manipulate the macrophage to enhance their own growth and that of the other can be eventually deciphered. This will provide new strategies for future interventions. New drugs are urgently needed for both microbes.Read moreRead less
Modelling The Interaction Between Sexually Transmitted Infections And HIV Transmission To Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,624.00
Summary
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Using mathematical models the population level effects of this increased risk will be investigated. This work will inform the design of effective and efficient STI treatment programs that aim to reduce the number of HIV infections in Australian gay men, prevent HIV epidemics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and slow the growth of HIV in Papua New Guinea.
The primary aim of this grants to determine how HIV spreads through our immune system. The above knowledge will determine key Achille’s Heel moments in the HIV life cycle and thus lead to better therapeutic HIV treatments/prevention.
HIV Treatment As Prevention: A Longitudinal Assessment Of Population Effectiveness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$783,160.00
Summary
This project is a large-scale evaluation of an HIV strategy known as ‘treatment as prevention’ (TasP). Through routine and repeat HIV testing for gay men and early treatment initiation following diagnosis, TasP aims to reduce HIV community infection rates. Through the establishment of a large cohort of gay men in NSW and Victoria, this study will track HIV testing, treatment and management to assess the real-world efficacy of TasP for reducing HIV infections among this at-risk population.
Defining The Interaction Of HIV With The Interferon System In Initial Mucosal Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$867,716.00
Summary
Very early after virus exposure, immune cells secrete interferons that help limit the spread of viruses within the body. We will investigate the complex interplay between HIV and the interferon system, especially how HIV inhibits the early induction of interferon to aid its spread and then how the body later restores the interferon response. We will also examine how HIV manipulates the interferon system in order to persistent latent reservoirs within tissues.
Resolving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Transmission
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$745,213.00
Summary
To increase the breadth of HIV prevention strategies, it is imperative that we biologically understand how HIV enters our bodies. Through two unique clinical cohorts, we will determine why circumcision is protective and how a commonly acquired sexual transmitted infection (human papilloma virus) can increase HIV transmission.