Mechanisms Of Novel TLR9 Mediated Intraocular Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,244.00
Summary
Corneal opacities and scarring due to microbial and parasitic infections are a major cause of blindness globally. Novel studies in our lab have shown that topical application of bacterial/viral DNA alone to the cornea can cause previously unrecognised inflammation in the retina. Understanding the mechanisms of this retinal inflammation and how to block it may help in the design of novel treatments for a number of blinding conditions.
The Role Of IL-17 In Regulating Liver Macrophage Permissiveness For Leishmania Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$655,082.00
Summary
Visceral Leishmaniasis is a disease of poverty in the developing world caused by Leishmania parasites, which live and replicate within host tissue macrophages. A cytokine produced by host cells, IL-17A impairs the ability of liver macrophages to control this infection, as mice that lack IL-17A have lower parasite burdens in the liver after experimental infection. We propose to investigate if IL-17A mediates this impaired control by tuning the permissiveness of host macrophages to infection.
Unconventional Mechanisms For Activating The NLRP3 Inflammasome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$747,031.00
Summary
Many inflammatory driven diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis and septic shock are also associated with cell death. This project will identify, at the molecular level, how cell death signalling specifically acts to trigger pathological inflammation. As such, it will identify novel targets for the development of next generation anti-inflammatory drugs.
The Dual-edged Sword Of Zinc As An Innate Immune Antimicrobial Weapon Against Uropathogenic E. Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$784,428.00
Summary
Infectious diseases are a major global health threat, and urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common infectious diseases. Most UTI are caused by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). In order to cause infections, UPEC must be able to overcome our body’s first line of defence, the innate immune system. This project seeks to understand how our innate immune system uses zinc to combat bacterial infections, and how UPEC is able to defend against such responses in order to cause disease.
The Regulatory Role Of Clec12A In Antigen Presentation And Inflammatory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,381,077.00
Summary
The immune system maintains a balance between initiating immune responses to infections and suppressing immune responses in health. We have identified, on the surface of specialised immune cells, a protein that is critical for regulating immune responses and dampening down inflammation. This proposal aims to determine how this protein functions in health and under inflammatory conditions, and to develop approaches based on its molecular interactions to reduce inflammatory disease.