Negative Modulators Of Leucocyte Recruitment In The Kidney. The Role Of Slit And Robo.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,100.00
Summary
Kidney failure is a major health problem in our community, affecting the lives of several thousand individuals and their families. Every year in Australia, about 2,000 new individuals commence dialysis and require ongoing treatment for the rest of their lives. The significant negative impact kidney failure has on quality of life and on life expectancy added to the major shortage of transplant organs, makes the development of effective therapies for kidney diseases an important goal. Our current ....Kidney failure is a major health problem in our community, affecting the lives of several thousand individuals and their families. Every year in Australia, about 2,000 new individuals commence dialysis and require ongoing treatment for the rest of their lives. The significant negative impact kidney failure has on quality of life and on life expectancy added to the major shortage of transplant organs, makes the development of effective therapies for kidney diseases an important goal. Our current therapies have major limitations in terms of their effectiveness and side effects. New therapies which can prevent the progression of kidney disease or prolong the survival of transplanted kidneys may, therefore, have enormous benefits. In order for this to occur, an improved understanding of the common factors underlying kidney disease is required. Our recent studies have been examining the factors influencing kidney inflammation. This process is a significant cause of long term damage in various kidney diseases and in kidney transplants. Our work has identified a potentially major role for recently discovered molecules known as Slit proteins in preventing or decreasing inflammation in the kidney. The level of expression of these molecules in the kidney appears to be rapidly decreased in kidney inflammation and their protective effect is then lost. This imbalance appears to promote the disease process and may be a useful target for the treatment of certain kidney diseases. Our work has found that Slit proteins are able to decrease the movement of white cells (the cells which cause inflammation) out of the blood circulation and into the kidney. The proposed studies aim to better understand the role of these molecules in the kidney as naturally expressed anti-inflammatory agents and to test their potential as therapeutic agents. We hope that the information obtained from these studies will help in the development of new therapies to manage various forms of kidney disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Immune Mechanisms Leading To Resolution Of Peanut Allergy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,472.00
Summary
Food allergy affects up to 10% of children and rates are rising. The greatest rise has been in peanut allergy which is the commonest cause of life threatening reactions. Currently, there is no cure for food allergy. Management relies on food avoidance which is impossible to achieve. Recent deaths in children from food allergy highlight the need for an effective treatment. This project will examine what happens when you grow out of peanut allergy. New information will lead to possible cures.
Local SAA Production Drives Glucocortosteriod Resistant Airway Inflammation In COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,704.00
Summary
We have recently identified a blood marker termed SAA that is highly elevated during an acute attack of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) mainly caused by chest infections. These episodes are a major cause of hospitalisation. Our previous studies suggest that by measuring blood SAA levels we can prevent a worsening of the attack with early intervention. We are now exploring the biological role of SAA and whether blocking SAA activity will benefit COPD patients.
‘Chemobrain’: Neuroimmunological Consequences Of Chemotherapy-induced Mucositis And Opioid Palliation In Development Of The Condition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Approximately 46% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment. The development of this condition may be linked to another common gut side-effect of chemotherapy- mucositis. The treatment of mucositis pain by potent painkillers called opioids may also increase the risk of cognitive change. This project will determine the nervous system changes occurring in mucositis to identify targets for drug intervention to prevent development of cognitive decline.
Predictors Of The Outcomes For Joint Inflammation And Damage In Recent Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$255,750.00
Summary
Currently, it is difficult to predict what will happen to an individual patient who presents with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, either as a result of the natural history of the disease or as a result of drug treatment. It is also difficult to decide which drug treatment to offer a patient and when to decide to change the treatment to obtain a better clinical response. This study will investigate whether it is possible to predict the outcomes for a particular patient with rheumatoid arthr ....Currently, it is difficult to predict what will happen to an individual patient who presents with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, either as a result of the natural history of the disease or as a result of drug treatment. It is also difficult to decide which drug treatment to offer a patient and when to decide to change the treatment to obtain a better clinical response. This study will investigate whether it is possible to predict the outcomes for a particular patient with rheumatoid arthritis for joint inflammation and joint destruction, based on the findings in the joint lining tissue. This study will also investigate whether it is possible to make decisions on the likely success of drug treatment given to a patient with rheumatoid arthritis based on the initial or subsequent joint lining tissue biopsies. If successful, this study will lead to a greater ability to advise patients about likely outcomes from their condition, either with or without treatment and also to predict whether a treatment is likely to work at an early stage. In addition, this study may identify future potential treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.Read moreRead less
Therapeutically Exploiting Non-oncogene Addiction And Defining Genetic Interactions For Disease Progression In A Preclinical Model Of Inflammation-dependent Gastric Tumourigenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,960.00
Summary
Cancers of the stomach are often associated with chronic inflammation and represent a major health burden with little treatment options available. We propose to test whether drugs undergoing clinical testing for other diseases may have beneficial effects in a preclinical model of gastric cancer, and establish the genetic interaction required for gastric cancer progression. The study outcomes may highlight novel therapeutic opportunities for the clinic.
Exclusive Enteral Nutrition In Children With Crohns Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$364,549.00
Summary
Crohn's disease occurs at any age, even in young children. One treatment for CD involves the use of a special drink (nutritional treatment). This works well for CD in children, helping to settle symptoms and heal the bowel surface. Despite being established as a treatment for 20 years, it is not yet clear how it works. These studies aim to work out how nutritional treatments work in CD. This should expand our knowledge about CD and may lead to further ways to prevent or manage CD.
Studies Of The Role Of The Hepatocyte In The Response To HCV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$513,294.00
Summary
Infection with hepatitis C (HCV) affects 120 million individuals worldwide, and over 200,000 in Australia. HCV-related liver disease is the most common indication for liver transplantation in Australia and rates of HCV-related liver failure and hepatocellular cancer are predicted to increase as the HCV population ages. A new test for the IL28B gene, has shown to be the strongest predictor of cure after treatment. The mechanism of this association is unknown and is the subject of this grant.