Detailed Investigation Of The Humoral Immune Response To HCV To Identify Diagnostic And Prognostic Serological Markers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,466.00
Summary
The prevalence of Hepatitis C in Australia has been estimated at 242 000 people with 80% of infections acquired as a result of infection drug use. The currently available assays can be used to reliably determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection but provide no information regarding the incidence of infection. By thoroughly investigating the immune response generated by individuals infected with Hepatitis C we intend to identify interactions which can be used to differientiate between the d ....The prevalence of Hepatitis C in Australia has been estimated at 242 000 people with 80% of infections acquired as a result of infection drug use. The currently available assays can be used to reliably determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection but provide no information regarding the incidence of infection. By thoroughly investigating the immune response generated by individuals infected with Hepatitis C we intend to identify interactions which can be used to differientiate between the different stages of infection. The expected outcomes of this study include the identification of a marker of recent Hepatitis C infection. This will permit accurate epidemiological monitoring of Hepatitis C, better design of programs to control the spread, trace outbreaks and manage treatment programs. The identification of a marker capable of predicting the clinical outcome of infection would be invaluable to clinicians, because following acute infection with Hepatitis C, 20 to 30% of individuals will resolve their infection without the need for therapeutic intervention. The information obtained in this study will also lead to a better interpretation of diagnostic laboratory findings, improving our ability to provide clear and accurate reports to blood donors and consequently enhance the Australian blood supply in terms of safety and donor retention.Read moreRead less
I am an infectious diseases physician and virologist/immunologist focused on developing and testing vaccines against the AIDS virus. I intend to achieve this by advancing novel vaccine concepts that stimulate broad and potent immunity and evaluating these vaccines in rigorous laboratory models and then moving them towards clinical trials.
Identification Of Novel HCV-specific B Cell Epitopes Which Induce Broad Neutralising Antibodies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$482,480.00
Summary
This research project will study humans who have been exposed to multiple Hepatitis C virus infections. We will be examining their immune response with the aim to identify subjects with antibodies that are able to neutralise a diverse range of hepatitis C virus variants. These antibodies will be used to identify novel targets for a vaccine directed against Hepatitis C virus.
A vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not yet available. Immune responses that are able to protect against infection are possible, making the production of a vaccine a realistic goal. We have produced a unique HCV vaccine and are now poised to test our vaccine in novel humanised animal models. Our research will allow us to determine the immune responses responsible for providing protection against HCV. Our data will be highly significant for future HCV vaccine studies in humans.
Studies On The Activation And Immunogenicity Of The HIV-1 Glycoproteins, Gp120-gp41
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,438.00
Summary
More than 34 million people were living with HIV-1 in 2011 with ~7,000 new infections still occurring daily. A prophylactic vaccine for HIV-1 is needed to stop its transmission, however, this goal is yet to be achieved. Our proposed studies will inform the design of prophylactic HIV-1 vaccines that act by making antibodies that neutralize the virus.
UNDERSTANDING HEPATITIS C VIRUS-SPECIFIC T CELL TOLERANCE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,710.00
Summary
Most individuals who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a persistent infection that is lifelong and are at risk of developing serious liver disease, including liver cancer. The evidence suggests that an inadequate immune response is responsible for the inability of the patient to resolve the infection, but it is not clear which stage of the immunological cascade might be targeted. In this project, we will test the hypothesis that HCV antigen induce supressor T cells This will have ....Most individuals who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a persistent infection that is lifelong and are at risk of developing serious liver disease, including liver cancer. The evidence suggests that an inadequate immune response is responsible for the inability of the patient to resolve the infection, but it is not clear which stage of the immunological cascade might be targeted. In this project, we will test the hypothesis that HCV antigen induce supressor T cells This will have the effect of inhibiting the immune response and result in the outcome that we currently recognise as persistent HCV infection.Read moreRead less
Current anti-HIV therapies can't cure HIV because HIV remains silent(latent) in long-lived cells. The HIV life cycle and virus production is linked to activation of the host cell, which is regulated by dendritic cells. This grant will explore how the factors controlling T cell activation and proliferation control virus expression and latency. By understanding how latent infection is established and maintained, these studies will potentially identify new ways to eliminate HIV infection.
Herpesviruses infect us all and cause cancer, blindness, and congenital disability. Developing vaccines requires information from both patients and experimental animals. CD4 T cells seem to suppress directly virus replication, and cells in the nose provide an important way for herpesviruses to get in. We will test whether CD4 T cells can clear nasal infection; what targets they recognize; and how they act. Thus we can establish whether CD4 T cell-directed vaccines might protect against disease.
Mechanisms By Which Varicella Zoster Virus And Herpes Simplex Virus Control Host Functions To Enhance Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,999.00
Summary
Varicella Zoster Virus and Herpes Simplex Virus are alpha-herpesviruses that cause diseases in a majority of the human population. This proposal will explore issues fundamental to disease and pathogenesis of these two closely related herpesviruses, focusing on how these viruses can control host function. In particular, we will define the interactions between these viruses and the natural killer (NK) cell response.