Role Of Resident Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Melanoma Vascularisation And Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$952,328.00
Summary
Melanoma is one of the most frequent cancers in Australia. Its growth depends on the rpoper delivery of nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels. This requires the formation of new blood vessels as the tumour grows. In this project we intend to understand the origin of the blood vessels that form in tumours and identify the stem cells that support them. We will use proof of principle experiments to determine whether removal of these stem cells allows the regression of melanoma tumours.
Fetal Endothelial Progenitors From The Placenta As A Source For Cell Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,072.00
Summary
The recent years have seen a rise in interest in collecting stem cells for future therapies. One example is the commercial offer of banking cord blood stem cells upon birth. In this project, we propose that the placenta, always discarded at the end of pregnancy, is another organ with high numbers of stem cells especially able to make blood vessels. We will examine if these cells can be expanded and used in treatment of situations with a need of increased blood supply such as cardiovascular disor ....The recent years have seen a rise in interest in collecting stem cells for future therapies. One example is the commercial offer of banking cord blood stem cells upon birth. In this project, we propose that the placenta, always discarded at the end of pregnancy, is another organ with high numbers of stem cells especially able to make blood vessels. We will examine if these cells can be expanded and used in treatment of situations with a need of increased blood supply such as cardiovascular disorders or skin wounds.Read moreRead less
Improving Anti-cancer Therapy By Stromal Targeting And Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$673,742.00
Summary
We have developed a new drug which binds to abnormal cancer blood vessels. Upon binding, shape and tone of cancer vessels are restored and they become tighter. Our research will now test whether combining this new drug with current standard-of-care therapies such as chemo- and immunotherapy, will improve cytotoxic drugs and also make the immune system work better to fight the cancer. We also expect that tightening of blood vessels will stop cancer cells from spreading throughout the body.
Reducing Morbidities In Preterm Growth Restricted Neonates.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$687,214.00
Summary
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious complication of pregnancy and occurs when fetal growth is abnormal, resulting in a fetus that is smaller than it should be for its given gestational age. IUGR babies are at much greater risk of many short and long-term adverse outcomes. This study investigates the role that adverse cardiovascular development plays in the progression of lung, heart and brain disease in preterm IUGR newborns.
Bone Marrow Endothelial Stem Cells Have The Capacity To Form Both The Endothelial And Haemopoietic Hierarchies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,452,856.00
Summary
Blood cell formation is hierarchically organised; with hemopoietic stem cells (HSC) responsible for producing mature circulating blood cells. HSC reside in marrow near blood vessel cells. Although these play a key role in HSC regulation their origin in adults is poorly understood. We have demonstrated the existence of adult marrow vessel stem cells at the apex of a parallel hierarchy. Our objective is to characterise these in mice and humans and determine their role in blood malignancies.
RZR-alpha In The Control Of Proliferative Vascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,706.00
Summary
Four million Australians have cardiovascular disease accounting for 35% of all deaths. CVD is the most expensive disease burden and a National Health Priority. Smooth muscle cell growth is a cause of CVD. However, the mechanisms controlling SMC hyperplasia are poorly understood. This project will provide key insights on the role of RZR-alpha in the pathogenesis of blood vessel disease, and develop novel gene-targeting approaches for new opportunities to control complications of CVD.
Targeting Inflammatory Macrophages And Blood Vessels In Atheroslerotic Plaques For Imaging And Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$453,369.00
Summary
Coronary heart disease due to hardening of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, is a major health issue. The diagnosis and treatment for this disease are challenging because the atherosclerotic plaques are difficult to access in vivo. We developed reagents that can home specifically in plaques via the bloodstream. We will explore the use of these reagents to deliver imaging agents and drugs into plaques. This work will enhance diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Dysfunctional blood vessel growth is an important mechanism of many congenital vascular diseases and other postnatal diseases such as ischemia and cancer. Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are common vascular disease in brain that cause strokes and seizures in midlife. Due to their location in the brain, CCMs are virtually untreatable, making the development of novel therapies a priority. This proposal aims to understand how the molecular players underlying this brain vascular disease cont ....Dysfunctional blood vessel growth is an important mechanism of many congenital vascular diseases and other postnatal diseases such as ischemia and cancer. Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are common vascular disease in brain that cause strokes and seizures in midlife. Due to their location in the brain, CCMs are virtually untreatable, making the development of novel therapies a priority. This proposal aims to understand how the molecular players underlying this brain vascular disease control blood vessel function and growth.Read moreRead less
The Critical Roles Of Heme Oxygenase-1 In The Response To Ischemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$690,593.00
Summary
Heme oxygenase-1 is a protein that recycles our body's iron which itself is essential for life because it is needed for the sensing, transport and use of oxygen we breath. The current project investigates a novel interplay between heme oxygenase-1 and our body’s major response to tissue oxygen becoming limited. By doing so, our project may provide the basis for novel treatments of conditions where arteries are obstructed, such as those that lead to heart attack and amputation.
The Role Of Microglia In Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,582.00
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most feared complications of diabetes. This project will examine the role that retinal immune cells called microglia have in causing early changes in the vasculature. We will examine whether diabetes changes the way neurons communicate with blood vessels, opening up a possible treatment target that could prevent the progression to more advanced disease.