Consequences Of Disulfide Exchange In CD4 For Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,580.00
Summary
CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells res ....CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells respond to infection and how the HIV virus infects immune cells. Moreover, we have designed a small synthetic compound that blocks the redox chemistry in CD4 and prevents HIV infection in the test tube. We propose to investigate how the redox chemistry in CD4 controls the function of immune cells and infection by HIV.Read moreRead less
Induction Of Natural T-Regulatory Cells By Thymic Dendritic Cell Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,775.00
Summary
In this study, we will determine the roles of the antigen presenting cells, namely denderitic cells, in the induction of T-regulatory cell (T-reg) developemnt in the thymus. T-reg cells play important roles in controlling the development of autoimmunity. This study will help to understand the possible causes of autoimmune diseases and to develop new treatments for these diseases.
The Role Of C-Rel In Controlling Chromatin Architecture And Transcription Networks In T Lymphocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,696.00
Summary
The immune system is poised to respond to invading viruses or bacteria and eliminate them as efficiently as possible. Incorrect activation of the immune system leads to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Immune cells can also grow in an uncotrolled manner causing leukamia. The cells of the immune system recognise pathogens and respond by altering the patterns of proteins produced by the cells allowing the system to eliminate the invading organisms. The altered protein production patterns ste ....The immune system is poised to respond to invading viruses or bacteria and eliminate them as efficiently as possible. Incorrect activation of the immune system leads to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Immune cells can also grow in an uncotrolled manner causing leukamia. The cells of the immune system recognise pathogens and respond by altering the patterns of proteins produced by the cells allowing the system to eliminate the invading organisms. The altered protein production patterns stem from changes in the gene expression profile of the cells. The gene expression profile of the cell is determinded by the activity of proteins called transcription factors. One such factor, c-Rel, has been implicated in allergy, autoimmunity, in transplant rejection and in leukemia. The aim of this project is to study the function of c-Rel in T cells, an important cell type in the immune system. The overall aim is to understand how c-Rel controls the gene expression profile of T cells so that a rational basis for c-Rel as a drug target can be designed.Read moreRead less
How Does Basal Chromatic Structure Predict Cytokine Gene Responses?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,961.00
Summary
To recognise foreign pathogens and eradicate them from the body, immune cells need to quickly switch on genes encoding factors which communicate between cells and drive the immune response. Incorrect expression of these genes contributes to immune diseases such as asthma, arthritis and leukaemia. The aim of this project is to study how the DNA environment of immune genes controls their ability to be switched on and off, and how altering this environment leads to incorrect gene expression.
The Role Of The Dendritic Cell Surface Molecule Clec9A In Dendritic Cell Subset Function And Dead Cell Recognition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,878.00
Summary
Dendritic cells (DC) are sentinels of the immune system. DC monitor the environment and regulate tolerance to self versus immunity to dangerous material. Different types of DC perform different jobs. We have identified a new surface molecule, Clec9A, on some mouse and human DC. We will investigate the function of Clec9A in the immune response. We will also use Clec9A to help unite mouse and human DC biology, since until now there have been few useful marker molecules common to both species.
T cells are a central component of the immune system and without T cells the body is very vulnerable to infections. One subgroup of T cells is the killer T cells that are important for identifying and killing cells infected by viruses and bacteria. The immune system works to maintain T cell numbers at a fairly constant level and part of this process includes sending signals to the killer T cells from other cells via cell surface protein interactions and soluble mediators, such as cytokines. We h ....T cells are a central component of the immune system and without T cells the body is very vulnerable to infections. One subgroup of T cells is the killer T cells that are important for identifying and killing cells infected by viruses and bacteria. The immune system works to maintain T cell numbers at a fairly constant level and part of this process includes sending signals to the killer T cells from other cells via cell surface protein interactions and soluble mediators, such as cytokines. We have been studying killer T cells, which are missing a protein SOCS1. SOCS1 is important for switching off the signals generated by a group of cytokines. As a consequence of being unable to correctly regulate cytokine signals these killer T cells multiply inappropriately and contribute to disease development. Our current work is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the particular interactions between killer T cells and other immune system cells and the soluble factors that deliver important signals for maintaining killer T cells in the immune system. The ability to better understand the factors controlling the maintenance of killer T cells will enable us to more intelligently target the immune system ,which is important for improving vaccine strategies and cancer immunotherapy as well as for controlling T cells that are activated inappropriately, such as in autoimmune disease.Read moreRead less
Immune Tolerance In Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Following Transplant Of Bone Marrow Cells Genetically Encoding Autoantigen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,143.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases affect 5-6% of the population and include diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Our studies focus on examining a gene therapy approach together with bone marrow transplantation to treating autoimmune diseases. Using a model for multiple sclerosis we are finding promising results