Vaccinating Against Helicobacter Pylori-induced Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,088,714.00
Summary
Stomach cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Most stomach cancers result from inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori infection. Most infections are treatable with antibiotics but this does not protect against cancers that develop before infection is diagnosed. Normal vaccine approaches aimed at this infection have been unsuccessful. We have identified a new approach for protecting against stomach cancer by preventing inflammation; this project aims to develop this vaccine.
Characterising The Role Of IL-37 In The Development Of H. Pylori Infection.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$641,992.00
Summary
H. pylori infects more than 50% of the worlds population and is the causative agent of gastric cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Infection with H. pylori occurs during early childhood and persists within the host for life, causing immune suppression and therefore preventing clearance of the infection from the individual. We will examine a newly identified mechanism of H. pylori-induced immune suppression in humans in an attempt to provide novel treatments.
Structural Basis For Helicobacter Pylori Adhesion To Host Epithelial Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$665,328.00
Summary
The aim of this grant is to understand how the bacteria that cause gastric cancer and ulcers interact with the cells that line the stomach. This information will be used to develop new treatments to combat disease.
Understanding The Impact Of Epigenetic Gene Regulation On Helicobacter Pylori Persistence And Pathogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,896.00
Summary
Helicobacter pylori is a highly persistent pathogen and remains a significant problem worldwide, causing gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. This project will increase our understanding of how H. pylori infection persists for the life of its human host and will provide knowledge that is critical in developing new strategies for preventing these infections.
Helicobacter Pylori Acquisition Of Host Cholesterol: Its Role In Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,380.00
Summary
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is present in the stomach of half the world’s population. It is estimated that 20% of these people will suffer from peptic ulcer disease, whereas as many as 1% will develop stomach cancer later in life. The common factor in all these diseases is the inflammation induced by the bacterium. This project will investigate a new mechanism by which H. pylori causes inflammation and how dietary cholesterol may be involved in this process.
Gastrokine 2 Promotes Gastric Homeostasis And Inhibits Bacterial Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$621,335.00
Summary
Gastrokine 2 is a small regulatory protein secreted by the stomach lining. Its function is unknown but data from our lab suggests that it may be important in maintaining stomach integrity. This project will investigate how gastrokine 2 maintains stomach function, how this can be compromised when bacterial infection is ongoing, and how we might be able to turn up gastrokine 2 expression to prevent inflammation and precancerous changes in the stomach lining.
Defining The Role Of Reserve Stem Cells In Gastric Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$563,739.00
Summary
Over 800,000 deaths from stomach cancer occur annually. This often fatal disease is caused by chronic inflammation of the stomach lining. This proposal will investigate how stomach inflammation ‘reprograms’ a new type of 'cancer stem cell' to form tumours and evaluate ways to therapeutically target these cells to prevent disease. Collectively, these studies will inform new approaches for stomach cancer prevention and treatment.
NOD1 Sensing Of H. Pylori Peptidoglycan Promotes Cell Survival And Bacterial Persistence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$792,492.00
Summary
The bacterium H. pylori lives in the stomach of half the world’s population and is a major cause of human disease, including peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. This project will investigate how H. pylori is able to manipulate the host immune system by modifying the composition of its outside layer (the cell wall). In so doing, H. pylori causes changes in cells of the stomach lining that allow the bacterium to persist, but that also may predispose the host to cancer.
Potassium Channel Regulation Of Bacterial-driven Gastrointestinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$576,000.00
Summary
Helicobacter pylori infections cause a chronic inflammation which in some people results in stomach cancer or ulcers. We have used a mouse with natural resistance to H. pylori gastritis to identify a completely novel regulator of the pathology induced by this infection. In this project, we will examine the mechanism by which this regulator protects against disease in mice, and examine its significance in the susceptibility of people to gastric cancer.
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.