Novel Posttranscriptional Pathways The Control Tfh Cell Numbers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$647,539.00
Summary
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are essential for effective antibody responses against infection. Limiting Tfh cells is crucial for selecting the "fittest" B cells and the success of vaccines. Tfh cell accumulation causes autoimmuity and is associated with inadequate B cell responses in HIV infection. We have recently discovered two novel pathways that control Tfh cells. We speculate they regulate different RNAs that influence Tfh homeostasis and aim to elucidate their mechanism of action.
I am an immunologist focusing on understanding how can we combat chronic infections while preventing autoimmunity. This proposal aims to investigate how a poorly understood subset of lymphocytes called Tfh cells are regulated to promote the formation of protective antibodies, and prevent development of harmful antibodies that go on to cause or exacerbate diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Our discoveries will illuminate novel drug targets for these diseases and hel ....I am an immunologist focusing on understanding how can we combat chronic infections while preventing autoimmunity. This proposal aims to investigate how a poorly understood subset of lymphocytes called Tfh cells are regulated to promote the formation of protective antibodies, and prevent development of harmful antibodies that go on to cause or exacerbate diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Our discoveries will illuminate novel drug targets for these diseases and help generate more potent vaccines.Read moreRead less
Follicular Helper T Cell Development And Function: From Mechanisms To Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,361.00
Summary
Antibodies are the basis of most successful vaccinations. Diminished antibody responses lead to immunodeficiency while excessive antibody responses contribute to autoimmune diseases. We are studying a newly identified specialised helper T cell subset, termed follicular helper T cells, which is essential to regulate the high-affinity and long-lived antibody responses. The knowledge should provide new strategies to design better vaccines, to control infections, or to treat autoimmune disorders.
HIV infection continues to be a global problem, an effective vaccine is critical to halting its spread. For those infected there is no cure. They require life-long, expensive therapy. The proposed research looks to provide insights that will contribute to the development of an effective vaccine and to clearing the virus from infected patients by using cutting edge laboratory techniques to study patients in populations that are pathogenically informative.