Expression And Function Of Fatty Acid Binding Proteins In Asthmatic Airway Epithelium
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$226,500.00
Summary
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that affects over 10% of all Australians. It ranges in severity from mild to life-threatening. Although a number of drugs are currently available for the treatment of asthma, there are many people whose asthma does not respond very well to treatment. We have recently identified a gene called aP2 that is important in the development of asthma. Drugs targeted against this gene may be very useful in the treatment of asthma. In this project, we aim to u ....Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that affects over 10% of all Australians. It ranges in severity from mild to life-threatening. Although a number of drugs are currently available for the treatment of asthma, there are many people whose asthma does not respond very well to treatment. We have recently identified a gene called aP2 that is important in the development of asthma. Drugs targeted against this gene may be very useful in the treatment of asthma. In this project, we aim to understand how aP2 is turned on during asthma, and how it contributes to disease development. This information will be essential for designing optimal strategies for drug targeting of the aP2 pathway in asthma.Read moreRead less
Targeting MiRNA To Inhibit Leukocyte Differentiation: A Novel Anti-inflammatory Approach For The Treatment Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,386.00
Summary
In asthma, the symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction in the lung and the production of inflammatory cells whose maturation is guided by tiny molecules called “microRNAs”. The critical microRNAs will be identified and strategies to block their function developed and tested for their ability to inhibit allergic inflammation to evaluate this approach as a new treatment for asthma.
Understanding The Mechanisms Of Steroid Resistant Inflammatory Pathways In Mouse Models Of Asthma: Potential New Treatment Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$523,694.00
Summary
Steroids are used to treat asthma but some patients are resistant to therapy, and there is no effective treatment. Such patients suffer greater morbidity and mortality, and the heath care cost for clinical management is a significant economic burden. In this project we will obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate steroid-resistant components of disease, which control inflammation and narrowing of the airway. These studies will be central to the development of new therapies.
The Role Of MicroRNAs As New Anti-inflammatory Targets For The Treatment Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$625,655.00
Summary
Asthma is a significant health and economic burden to our society and its prevalence has increased over the last 25 years. New ways of treating asthma are urgently required as current therapeutics treat the symptoms and not the cause of the disease. Asthma is widely thought to be due to the abnormal accumulation of white blood cells (inflammation) in the lungs of diseased individuals. In this project we are exploring new advanced ways to inhibit inflammation and the development of disease.
Mechanisms Of Nanoparticle-mediated Inhibition Of Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$637,921.00
Summary
Ultrafine pollution particles may promote asthma, and there is concern that man-made 'nanoparticles' have a similar effect. Surprisingly, we found that inert toxin-free nanoparticles inhibit asthma. We propose nanoparticles do this by leaving a unique �imprint� in the lung. We will explore how this imprint modifies lung inflammatory and immune regulatory cell function, and investigate particles made from advanced biodegradable polymers as potential therapeutics for inflammatory lung diseases suc ....Ultrafine pollution particles may promote asthma, and there is concern that man-made 'nanoparticles' have a similar effect. Surprisingly, we found that inert toxin-free nanoparticles inhibit asthma. We propose nanoparticles do this by leaving a unique �imprint� in the lung. We will explore how this imprint modifies lung inflammatory and immune regulatory cell function, and investigate particles made from advanced biodegradable polymers as potential therapeutics for inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma.Read moreRead less
Role Of IL-3 In Allergic Inflammation: Modulation Of Basophils, Mast Cells, Eosinophils And Remodelling In Asthma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,380.00
Summary
Asthma is an important disease in the Australian community. We will investigate how the underlying inflammation in this disease is controlled and will focus our studies on a hormone-like regulator of the immune system called interleukin-3. Our hypothesis is that interleukin-3 regulates basophils, mast cells and remodelling of the airways which are central features of asthma. This study will give a better understanding of how the inflammation is caused and information for new drug targets.
Phenotypic And Functional Characterisation Of CD4 T Helper 22 Cells And Their Role In The Regulation Of Chronic Allergic Disease Of The Lung And Skin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$714,061.00
Summary
Allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma and allergic dermatitis are major health problems in our community that lead to poor quality of life. These diseases are induced by activation of immune cells known as T helper (Th) lymphocytes. Recently Th22 cells have been identified in patients with allergic diseases. In this study we will, for the first time, characterise these cells and determine their role in the processes that lead to chronic inflammation in asthma and allergic dermatitis.