The Role Of MHC Class I Expression On Pancreatic Ductal Lineage Cells In The Pathogenesis Of Type I Diabetes (TID).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,300.00
Summary
MHC molecules act as traffic lights to the immune system telling it whether to stop or go, so that only when there is an infection does the immune system receive the signal to destroy target cells. However, the immune system in Type 1 Diabetes patients receives signals to destroy the insulin-producing cells when there is no apparent infection. We aim to determine where the faulty traffic signal occurs and so be in a better position to design intervention strategies to prevent Type 1 Diabetes.
Thymic Epithelial Cell Apoptosis, Aire And Autoimmune Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$470,799.00
Summary
Autoimmune diseases, like diabetes and multiple sclerosis are a significant disease burden. Their root cause is the failure of the immune system to distinguish between the body's own tissues and potential pathogens. We propose to study how potentially dangerous immune cells are destroyed in the thymus before they can develop. This research will significantly improve our understanding of how autoimmune diseases begin.