Impaired Respiratory Tolerance In Obesity - The Link With Asthma?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$667,294.00
Summary
Australia has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, placing a major strain on health budgets. Obesity increases the risk of numerous diseases, including asthma. Asthma is prevented in healthy people by the immune system. This project will investigate whether obesity-related dietary factors and/or gut microbes impair this immune-mediated mechanism. Outcomes will increase understanding of the effects of diet and obesity on asthma development, and lead to novel asthma therapies.
Modulation Of Lung Regeneration And Remodeling By The Innate Immune System.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,113.00
Summary
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis results in respiratory failure and death with millions of people affected each year. Current treatments are limited and there is a need to better understand the changes that drive fibrosis. In this study we will investigate how the innate immune system modulates the process of epithelial regeneration, focusing, in particular, on how the innate immune response following severe lung injury initiates a disordered repair processes and drives fibrosis.
The osteocyte, the most abundant bone cell, likely plays a central role in bone biology and diseases, such as osteoporosis. The osteocyte product Sclerostin is a key regulator of bone mass. We are characterising novel pathways of sclerostin action via the expression of microRNAs.
Novel Strategies To Boost Tristetraprolin Function: A Critical Anti-inflammatory Protein In Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,216.00
Summary
Asthma is a chronic disorder where airways are remodelled, resulting in poor lung function. Airway remodelling is a consequence of long-term inflammation. As current treatments halt some, but not all, aspects of airway remodelling, new therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this grant, our aim is to devise novel strategies to boost the function of a critical anti-inflammatory protein - TTP - to reduce inflammation in asthma.
Asthma causes wheeze and shortness of breath via airway narrowing, with asthma attacks commonly caused by virus infections. We plan to investigate how airway narrowing during an asthma attack decreases the body’s ability to fight off a viral infection, causing prolonged infection, worse asthma symptoms, more airway inflammation and long-term damage within the airways. We will attempt to use current and novel treatments to reverse these problems, and improve treatment for asthma.
A Study Of The Origins Of Macrophages In Healthy And Atherosclerotic Vasculature Focusing On A Novel Population Of Resident Adventitial Macrophage Progenitor Cells (AMPCs)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,345.00
Summary
White blood cells (macrophages) play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes. We have made new discoveries to show that there are stem (progenitor) cells for macrophages that exist within the outer lining of blood vessels. This project will study whether these local progenitor cells, called AMPCs, are a source of macrophages in atherosclerosis and in turn could lead to new treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease.
Furin: Carving-up Vital Substrates For Bone Remodelling And Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$815,972.00
Summary
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. It is caused by an imbalance between the cells that are constantly reabsorbing and reforming bone. The proposed project will address furin as a novel regulator of bone remodelling.
Menopause is one of the important risk factors for bone loss, structural decay and bone fragility. We aim to quantify the biochemical, microstructural and biomechanical basis of loss of bone strength during and after menopause. A cohort of 324 pairs of female-female twins aged 25 to 75 years old will be followed up for up to 9 years. Defining the structural basis of bone fragility provides a rational means to identifying women at risk for fracture.
Targeting Renal And Vascular Inflammation In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,589.00
Summary
Inflammation is a hallmark of high blood pressure (A.K.A. hypertension) and underlies clinical complications of the condition such as kidney failure and blood vessel disease. This project will investigate whether a recently described signaling complex termed the 'inflammasome' is a trigger of inflammation in hypertension in the hope of identifying it as a target for new drugs that are more effective in the treatment of hypertension and its complications.
Sclerostin Is A Key Regulator Of Wnt Signalling In Bone And Cartilage Pathology In Osteoarthritis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,945.00
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread bone and joint problem in Australia with has enormous social and economic consequences. We have identified Sclerostin (SOST) as a key regulator of the signalling pathway that drives the increase in production of bone and the erosion of cartilage in joints that are the hallmark of OA. The aims of the present project are to determine the effect altering SOST activity on the initiation and progression of OA.