Characterisation Of The Anti-inflammatory Properties Of The N-3 Fatty Acid Product, 4-hydroxy-hexenal.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$524,559.00
Summary
A concerted effort is being made by experts in the field of omega 3 fats (fish oils) to make specific recommendation on their use to improve human health . We have reasoned that the characterisation of a major oxidation product of these oils could be a key to understanding how these fats benefit us. The project is likely to influence the formulation of fish oils to enhance their health promoting properties.
Defining The Role Of Lymphotoxin Alpha In Experimental Cerebral Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$158,250.00
Summary
Malaria kills millions of children every year. A major cause of death is cerebral malaria (CM) resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. At present, there is no effective vaccine available and drug-resistant parasites are widespread. CM is a serious neurological condition characterised by the sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBC) in cerebral blood vessels. This event is thought to initiate a cascade of inflammatory reactions that ultimately lead to cerebral damage and often deat ....Malaria kills millions of children every year. A major cause of death is cerebral malaria (CM) resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. At present, there is no effective vaccine available and drug-resistant parasites are widespread. CM is a serious neurological condition characterised by the sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBC) in cerebral blood vessels. This event is thought to initiate a cascade of inflammatory reactions that ultimately lead to cerebral damage and often death. The factors that cause the sequestration of iRBC in the brain are poorly understood. In this project, we will use an experimental model to define the changes that occur in the cerebral vessels during malaria. The identity of the cells and molecules that mediate the binding of iRBC to the blood vessels of the brain will be identified. It is anticipated that results from this work will increase our understanding of the development of pathology in the brain, as well as identify potential targets for modulation to prevent disease.Read moreRead less
T Cell Apoptosis In Multiple Sclerosis And Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,950.00
Summary
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system and is a common cause of disability in young adults. There is increasing evidence that multiple sclerosis is caused by repeated attacks on the nervous system by the white blood cells (lymphocytes) of the body's own immune system. A major unanswered question in multiple sclerosis is why repeated immune attacks on the nervous system occur. I have recently proposed that the repeated nature of the immune attacks in multiple sclerosis results from ....Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system and is a common cause of disability in young adults. There is increasing evidence that multiple sclerosis is caused by repeated attacks on the nervous system by the white blood cells (lymphocytes) of the body's own immune system. A major unanswered question in multiple sclerosis is why repeated immune attacks on the nervous system occur. I have recently proposed that the repeated nature of the immune attacks in multiple sclerosis results from a failure of the mechanism that switches off immune attacks on the nervous system in healthy individuals. In an animal model of multiple sclerosis we have shown that the lymphocytes attacking the nervous system rapidly commit suicide in the nervous system by a process known as apoptosis, and that this is associated with switching off of the immune attack and recovery from the disease. The present project aims to study further this process of lymphocyte suicide in experimental animals by determining whether the lymphocyte suicide is mediated through a death receptor molecule named Fas (CD95). The project will also investigate the process of lymphocyte suicide in white blood cells obtained from patients with multiple sclerosis to determine if this process is defective and to determine whether these patients have abnormalities in the Fas molecular pathway. This project will shed light on the question of why repeated immune attacks on the nervous system occur in multiple sclerosis, and has the potential to lead to the development of new treatments for multiple sclerosis.Read moreRead less