Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) participates in cancer, stroke and heart attack. Studies show that measurement of MIC-1 in blood and cancer tissue might be useful to detect the development of cancer and determine whether it will spread. Also, MIC-1 measurement can identify people who are at risk of dying of cancer, heart attack and stroke. This study will show how MIC-1 may be used to prevent, diagnose and help treat these conditions and reduce healthcare costs.
NKT cells are a type of lymphocyte with the ability to prevent a broad range of diseases including cancer, autoimmunity, infection and graft rejection. Sometimes, NKT cells also cause diseases, including allergy and atherosclerosis. Therefore, the ability to modulate these cells an important health objective. This project will investigate how NKT cells become activated by studying their surface receptors and what these receptors interact with.
The In Vivo Biology Of The Novel TGF-b Superfamily Cytokine, MIC-1
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,430.00
Summary
Cytokines are hormone like messengers that mediate the interactions between cells. We have discovered a new cytokine that we have named macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1). It belongs to a very important familty of proteins that are involved in wound healing, development and inflammation. Our data thus far suggest thatMIC-1 is an antiinflammatory factor that also involved in reproduction, especially in the health of the placenta. To determine the accuracy of these predictions we wish to use ....Cytokines are hormone like messengers that mediate the interactions between cells. We have discovered a new cytokine that we have named macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1). It belongs to a very important familty of proteins that are involved in wound healing, development and inflammation. Our data thus far suggest thatMIC-1 is an antiinflammatory factor that also involved in reproduction, especially in the health of the placenta. To determine the accuracy of these predictions we wish to use genetic techniques to delete this gene from a mouse. Study of this genetically modified mouse will give us a great deal of information on the most important roles of MIC-1.Read moreRead less