Long-lived CD8 T Cell Responses Induced By A Recombinant Cytomegalovirus Vector
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$234,750.00
Summary
The priming of the immune system to protect against infection and disease is an important means to alleviate these conditions. Current vaccination technologies often rely on multiple inoculations (prime-boosting). In addition, specific priming of the immune system against pathogens that target mucosal sites has been difficult and often lacks efficacy resulting in temporary or variable protection. Using a well developed mouse model for a common human virus, we have explored the potential of this ....The priming of the immune system to protect against infection and disease is an important means to alleviate these conditions. Current vaccination technologies often rely on multiple inoculations (prime-boosting). In addition, specific priming of the immune system against pathogens that target mucosal sites has been difficult and often lacks efficacy resulting in temporary or variable protection. Using a well developed mouse model for a common human virus, we have explored the potential of this agent as a vaccine agent, making use of its long term persistence in the infected host to provide continued antigenic stimulation of the immune system. We have found that very strong and long lasting responses can be elicited after a single inoculation of avirulent virus. In this study, this effect will be further explored and developed.Read moreRead less
How IL-4 Suppresses TNF And IL-1 Production By Activated Human Monocytes And Macrophages
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,750.00
Summary
Chronic inflammatory diseases are an enormous and growing health problem. There is a continuing search for improved and more targeted treatments. We have been studying a cytokine called interleukin-4 which can suppress the production by blood cells of many of the inflammatory mediators that initiate and maintain inflammation. With the recognition that interleukin-4 has this anti-inflammatory activity on blood cells, there was considerable optimism that this molecule may not only be a natural reg ....Chronic inflammatory diseases are an enormous and growing health problem. There is a continuing search for improved and more targeted treatments. We have been studying a cytokine called interleukin-4 which can suppress the production by blood cells of many of the inflammatory mediators that initiate and maintain inflammation. With the recognition that interleukin-4 has this anti-inflammatory activity on blood cells, there was considerable optimism that this molecule may not only be a natural regulator of inflammation but also used in immunotherapy. However we do not know how this molecule downregulates inflammatory blood cells. It will be necessary to know this if it is to be used in human gene therapy for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Cells must be activated before a molecule which is anti-inflammatory can be effective. Different cell types from different inflammatory sites will be studied to better characterise different activation pathways. How interleukin-4 regulates these pathways will be studied. Once identified, treatments based on the properties of interleukin-4 may be designed-optimised.Read moreRead less
The Cellular And Molecular Basis To The Paradox Of Positive Versus Negative T Cell Selection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$278,090.00
Summary
The protection against disease requires the generation of white blood cells called T lymphocytes that are produced in the thymus. Each T cell has a specific surface receptor, generated by random gene switching, that can react against foreign pathogens. Since there is a very high conservation of molecules used in all organisms, some of these receptors could by chance also react against normal cells in the host. Eliminating all such self-reactive cells would mean, however, the repertoire remaining ....The protection against disease requires the generation of white blood cells called T lymphocytes that are produced in the thymus. Each T cell has a specific surface receptor, generated by random gene switching, that can react against foreign pathogens. Since there is a very high conservation of molecules used in all organisms, some of these receptors could by chance also react against normal cells in the host. Eliminating all such self-reactive cells would mean, however, the repertoire remaining for eliminating infection would be too low and immunodeficiency develops. This project investigates the mechanisms controlling the balance between defence infection and the need to prevent immune-based self destruction termed autoimmunity.Read moreRead less