Investigating B Cell Development, Maintenance And High-affinity Antibody Production By ENU Mutagenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
B cells are essential for the protection against infections. This application aims to identify new genes that are crucial for the development or function of B cells and will investigate how mutations in newly discovered genes contribute to defects in the development and function of B cells and the pathogenesis of B cell leukaemia.
The Role Of IL21 In Integrating Proliferation, Migration And Differentiation Following B Cell Activation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Immunity is essential to health and requires the production of antibodies. The best antibodies are made by B-cells coming from specialised structures, called germinal centres (GC). To understand why sometimes immunity is excellent - childhood vaccines - and other times not - HIV infection, aged people - we need to understand what happens inside GC. Our prediction is that by understanding GC B cell behaviour, we will resolve good from poor immune responses and thereby develop improvements.
Control Of Pathogenic Antibody Responses In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$763,845.00
Summary
Deficient or inappropriate antibody responses are at the core of many autoimmune diseases, allergies, food intolerances, and often explain the failure of vaccination strategies. Specialised follicular T cells control the quality of antibodies produced by B cells. This fellowship will combine basic studies investigating B cell helper or regulatory follicular T cells in humans with genetic studies identifying the causes of autoantibody-driven diseases. The results will uncover targeted therapies.
The NF-kB Transcription Factors C-Rel And RelA Control Multiple Steps In Natural CD4 Regulatory T Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$566,592.00
Summary
An unfortunate consequence of immune function is that occasionally rogue immune cells are produced that attack the host and lead to the development of so-called autoimmune diseases such as arthritis. Normally a white blood cell called a regulatory T cell suppresses these self-reactive immune cells. We have identified factors that govern the generation of regulatory T cells. Understanding how these factors work should permit the development of new strategies to combat autoimmune diseases. ?
Roles Of Signalling In The Control Of Immune System Development, Function And Pathology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$737,936.00
Summary
This research focuses on the function of the NF-?B and MAP kinase biochemical pathways in immune cells. Both pathways regulate gene expression controlling the development, division, viability and function of immune cells. Consistent with these roles, impaired regulation of these pathways contributes to many immune related diseases. My goal is to utilize information learnt about these pathways and apply it to developing therapies for treating diseases afflicting the immune system.
Development Of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen As A Generic Vector For The Delivery Of Foreign CTL Epitopes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,642.00
Summary
Many kinds of cancer and infections display unique proteins which the body's immune system can recognise as ' foreign', and mount an immune response which, if correctly harnessed, will kill the cancer or infected cells . A way to harness the immune response is to vaccinate with these unique proteins. However, new ways need to be found to deliver the unique proteins to produce the maximal possible anti- cancer or pathogen response, and one that is long lived. In particular one needs to stimulate ....Many kinds of cancer and infections display unique proteins which the body's immune system can recognise as ' foreign', and mount an immune response which, if correctly harnessed, will kill the cancer or infected cells . A way to harness the immune response is to vaccinate with these unique proteins. However, new ways need to be found to deliver the unique proteins to produce the maximal possible anti- cancer or pathogen response, and one that is long lived. In particular one needs to stimulate the cellular arm of the immune response to produce killer cells named CTLs which specifically kill cancer or infected cells. In this project we plan to use an already-licensed human vaccine - the Hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine , or HBsAG, - and genetically modify it to contain important regions of cancer or pathogen proteins termed 'epitopes'. We surmise that immunisation with these modified HBsAg will elicit powerful CTL responses which will killer cancer or infected cells.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of An Antigen Presenting Cell Unique To Spleen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,606.00
Summary
The body depends on a range of defence mechanisms to remove invaders that enter by various routes. Antigen presenting cells are central to immunity in that they engulf and destroy dead cells and pathogens and present pieces of those pathogens or 'antigens' to white blood cells called T and B lymphocytes. These cells then start to fight the infection or disease. A new type of antigen presenting cell will be investigated for its particular ability to arrest blood-borne pathogens and disease.
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
Modeling Human Actin Related Protein 2/3 Complex Subunit 1B (ARPC1B) Deficiency In Mice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$755,005.00
Summary
The actin cytoskeleton forms the structure that not only keeps cells in their normal shape but is also essential for the movement of cells and for interaction between cells. We have recently identified the first patients with an immunodeficiency caused by a defect in a gene called ARPC1B, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of actin. Through the investigation of novel mouse models we will elucidate the pathomechanism underlying the disease of these patients.