BAFF And Its Receptors:contribution And Therapeutic Potential In Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory reaction to cholesterol in blood vessels. Despite cholesterol-lowering statins, atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes remain a major cause of deaths. Studies of BAFF, a pro-inflammatory molecule can shed new light on the inflammation. As BAFF blockers are already in clinical trials to treat inflammatory diseases, our study has potential to lead to using BAFF blockers to treat human atherosclerosis.
B1a B Cells: Atheroprotective Mechanisms And Therapeutic Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,180.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis-related heart attacks and strokes remain leading causes of global deaths despite use of potent lipid-lowering drugs. Thus, another therapeutic option is urgently needed. Our laboratory found that B1a B cells protect against atherosclerosis. We will study the therapeutic efficacy of expanding B1a cells by different approaches in atherosclerosis. Our proposal for clinical translation is to reduce mortality from atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes.
Heart attacks and stroke, underpinned by atherosclerosis, are the number one cause of deaths in our community. While statin reduces cholesterol, there is no treatment to reduce the inflammation initiated by cholesterol entry into blood vessel walls. Our studies are directed towards precise identification of subsets of an inflammatory cell (B lymphocyte) that promote or attenuate atherosclerosis.Therapeutic targeting of these subsets has potential to reduce the inflammation in atherosclerosis