Regulation Of Autoimmunity By Non-apoptotic Caspases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Excessive cell death can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Cells can die by different mechanisms including necroptosis which causes inflammation, and apoptosis which does not. Recent studies show that caspases, a component of the apoptosis pathway which accelerate cell death, also prevent immune activation by dying cells. I will investigate whether caspases contribute to autoimmune disease and whether caspases can dampen the inflammation that occurs during necroptotic cell death.
I am the leading scientist studying a factor named BAFF and discovered its role in autoimmunity. BAFF inhibitors are effective in late stage clinical trials treating lupus patients. Our new work shows that BAFF has other fascinating roles, in particular the ability to control effects from some microbes capable of activating autoimmune and inflammatory reactions. This new work is leading us to the development of an entirely new generation of therapeutics treating autoimmunity and inflammation.