The Role Of B7 Family Members In The Generation Of Immunological Memory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,252.00
Summary
Memory immune cells remember antigens that have previously induced an immune response. Therefore, they can react quickly and rigorously to stop subsequent infections. This project will study the role of the B7 family of proteins in communication between memory cells and other cells of the immune system to produce lifetime protection against foreign antigens. Understanding these processes will assist in creating more effective vaccines and treatments for immunodeficient or autoimmune patients.
Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Plasma Cells As Novel Therapeutic Agents And Diagnostic Tools
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$199,275.00
Summary
We have a new tool to identify a very rare immune cell type. This cell makes antibodies, powerful and exquisitely specific proteins that fight infection. In health, antibody-producing cells are beneficial, but in disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and myeloma), these cells cause disease or death. Antibody-producing cells are long-lived. We have no means to specifically deplete them. We are developing reagents to identify and deplete antibody-producing cells to use as novel therapeutic agents.
Regulating The Production Of High Affinity Antibody Forming Cells During The Germinal Centre Reaction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,980.00
Summary
In response to infection the body makes antibodies. These antibodies are important in helping clear the infection and keeping us healthy. What's more, the immune system 'remembers' these past infections. This means that when we are re-exposed to an infectious agent like measles virus, no disease develops. This is because the antibodies which cleared the infection initially, are still being made and prevent or neutralize the new infection or toxin. The continued production of these antibodies is ....In response to infection the body makes antibodies. These antibodies are important in helping clear the infection and keeping us healthy. What's more, the immune system 'remembers' these past infections. This means that when we are re-exposed to an infectious agent like measles virus, no disease develops. This is because the antibodies which cleared the infection initially, are still being made and prevent or neutralize the new infection or toxin. The continued production of these antibodies is therefore an important part of staying healthy. When we are vaccinated, we produce antibodies specific for the components of the vaccine. Some of these components are part of the real infectious agent. This means that when we encounter the real virus, we already have antibodies that prevent the virus from doing any damage. Booster immunizations are necessary to make sure we have high enough levels of these neutralizing antibodies. Being able to understand how these important antibodies are made is a central goal of this research project. We hope that by understanding how cells are durected in an immune response to become the kind of cells that secretes neutralizing antibodies, we will be able to make vaccines that work more efficiently, that require fewer booster injections and that give longer lasting protection. We also hope that we can better design vaccines so that those that currently don't work, can be made to do so.Read moreRead less
Structure And Function Of Receptors For IgG (FcgammaR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,315.00
Summary
We are investigating one of the most important receptor families of inflammatory white blood cells - so called Fc receptors. These are critically important in resistance to infection. Unfortunately they are also crucial in tissue destruction in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We will determine how these receptors trigger inflammation and use this information for the development of new drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Structure And Function Of Receptors For IgG (FcgammaR)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$905,280.00
Summary
This reasearch project is attempting to understand one of the most important mechanisms of resistance to infectious disease and one of the most important mechanisms of induction of destructive inflammation in autoimmune disease. These studies will define how blood proteins called antibodies, antibodies bind to the surface of white blood cells via proteins called Fc receptors that activate these white blood cells. Under normal circumstances this system provides resistance to infection but is invo ....This reasearch project is attempting to understand one of the most important mechanisms of resistance to infectious disease and one of the most important mechanisms of induction of destructive inflammation in autoimmune disease. These studies will define how blood proteins called antibodies, antibodies bind to the surface of white blood cells via proteins called Fc receptors that activate these white blood cells. Under normal circumstances this system provides resistance to infection but is involved in some of the most debilitating diseases, including allergies, bleeding disorders called thrombocytopoenias, inflammation of blood vessels, vasculitis, as well as aspects of rheumatoid arthritis. The successful conclusion of this project will result in knowledge that will enable the development of more effective and highly specific therapeutic approaches to the treatment of disease and a better understanding of the functioning of the immune system.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of The SCR-domain Family Of Complement Regulators ; Structure, Function And Streptococcal Pathogenesis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
A group of proteins in blood called 'Complement' are activated in the presence of foreign cells or micro-organisms and this generally results in their destruction. It is important that this destructive activity is directed against foreign and not self tissue. This is achieved by a further family of proteins, including a protein called factor H, which switch off or regulate complement activity. How these proteins work is the principle focus of this project. There are many diseases in which damage ....A group of proteins in blood called 'Complement' are activated in the presence of foreign cells or micro-organisms and this generally results in their destruction. It is important that this destructive activity is directed against foreign and not self tissue. This is achieved by a further family of proteins, including a protein called factor H, which switch off or regulate complement activity. How these proteins work is the principle focus of this project. There are many diseases in which damage results from inadvertent complement activation and the regulatory proteins have therapeutic potential in this area. In addition, many bacteria and other micro-organisms, which should be destroyed by complement, escape by binding regulatory proteins. Understanding how this is achieved may assist in identifying targets for vaccine development.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Controlling Antibody Production By Modulating B Cell Antigen Receptor Signalling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$452,125.00
Summary
This project will analyse mechanisms that regulate antibody production in health and disease. In health, antibodies are normally made exclusively against infectious agents, providing long-lasting immunity. Unknown errors in the control of antibody production result in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, where antibodies are made against parts of our own bodies, or result in allergies where antibodies are made against innocuous elements of our environment. In order ....This project will analyse mechanisms that regulate antibody production in health and disease. In health, antibodies are normally made exclusively against infectious agents, providing long-lasting immunity. Unknown errors in the control of antibody production result in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, where antibodies are made against parts of our own bodies, or result in allergies where antibodies are made against innocuous elements of our environment. In order to develop rational, specific methods for treating these diseases, it is necessary to identify and understand the biochemical mechanisms that normally control antibody formation against infectious agents, self components, and innocuous environmental agents. The project focuses on defining the biochemical mechanisms by which the antibody-forming cells, B lymphocytes, sense infectious, innocuous, or self components. These cells carry specific receptors that bind these components and transmit signals into the B lymphocyte. The research will determine how different types of signal are transmitted by the receptor so that, normally, large amounts of antibody are made against infectious agents but very little antibody is made against self components. By identifying how the types of signals are changed, the results of this project will reveal control mechanisms that may be altered in autoimmunity, allergy or immune deficiency, and that may be able to be used as drug targets to prevent unwanted antibody production to cure these diseases.Read moreRead less
Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand dise ....Antibodies are made by B-cells and are essential for a functional immune system. B cells circulate in the body, and, when they encounter an invader, they mature into antibody-producing cells (ASC). A small proportion of the cells become “memory” cells with the potential to become ASC should the same infection occur in the future. This is the basis of vaccination. This program aims to understand how a B cell changes into an ASC. We aim eventually to be able to improve vaccines and understand diseases such as allergy, lupus, arthritis and leukaemia to develop novel therapies.Read moreRead less