Regulation Of T Cell Effector Function In Peripheral Tissues
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$698,550.00
Summary
Protection from infections relies on different types of immune cells. While some of these cells are found in the blood, others reside in peripheral tissues such as the skin. We will analyse the function of these peripheral immune cells to understand how they work to fight off infections. We will also investigate how so-called memory cells that permanently reside in peripheral tissues can protect from re-infection with similar bacteria or viruses.
Molecular And Cellular Control Of Human Th9 Cell Differentiation In Health And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$550,888.00
Summary
T helper 9 (Th9) cells are a recently defined population of CD4+ T cells that have been implicated in immunological disorders ranging from allergy, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer, to host defence against fungal and parasitic infections. As such, Th9 cells are extremely important to human health and disease. This project aims to define the mechanisms involved in the generation, regulation and function of human Th9 cells.
The Mezzanine T Cell Response: Intervening At The Coal Face
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$765,585.00
Summary
In an initial immune response, specialised cells in lymph nodes tell T cells to multiply; the stimulated T cells depart and enter target tissue (e.g. lung in the case of flu). We describe a new response whereby the target tissue itself can tell T cells to multiply further. This response in target tissues reveals a new way of altering immune responses. This is especially important as in many diseases, the primary lymph node response has already occurred, so cannot be therapeutically intervened.
The Role Of Kdm1a In Epigenetic Regulation Of Virus-specific T Cell Differentiation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,982.00
Summary
Recovery from infection, or vaccination, results in the establishment of protective immunity that persists for the life of an individual. Unfortunately, our understanding of how protective immunity is established and maintained after infection or vaccination is lacking. This proposal will determine whether specific enzymes involved in rewriting the genetic blueprint are key for establishing and maintaining this protective capacity. Understanding these mechanisms has implications for vaccination ....Recovery from infection, or vaccination, results in the establishment of protective immunity that persists for the life of an individual. Unfortunately, our understanding of how protective immunity is established and maintained after infection or vaccination is lacking. This proposal will determine whether specific enzymes involved in rewriting the genetic blueprint are key for establishing and maintaining this protective capacity. Understanding these mechanisms has implications for vaccination and improved immunotherapy strategies for cancer.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of CTL Recruitment Into The Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,647.00
Summary
The size of CD8+ T cell (CTL) responses is central to their efficacy in virus control, and can be substantially influenced by how effectively they are recruited and expand after infection. This study will determine the impact of both CTL characteristics and antigen abundance on CTL recruitment and expansion after infection. Understanding the nature of these influences will enable a more informed approach to the clinical manipulation of CTL responses.
Defining The Role Of Innate T Cells In The Onset And Progression Of Chronic Periodontitis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$581,978.00
Summary
Particular immune cell populations (innate T cells), have a critical role in immunity. These cells are stimulated by bacterial cell wall components and are one of the first cells to appear after infection. We have shown that these innate T cells are stimulated by oral bacteria that cause the disease chronic periodontitis. This project will investigate how these innate T cells affect bacterial induced periodontitis and what role they play in disease outcomes.
The Impact Of Micropolymorphism Within The T Cell Receptor Genes And Their Target Antigenic Peptides
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,126.00
Summary
T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the immune system by recognising virus-infected tissue through the use of highly specific T cell receptors (TCRs). This project will investigate the importance of genetic variation in the TCR genes in influencing how we fight infections. Another aim is to examine how the immune system tolerates genetic variation in an infecting virus. Advances in these areas will aid in the development of new "intelligent" vaccines.
Investigating The Role Of TGF-beta In Resident Memory T Cell Induction And Maintenance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,495.00
Summary
I am a research scientist interested in the immune system. Specifically, I intend to investigate immunological memory, which is the basis of vaccination. This refers to the ability of certain immune cells such as T and B cells to ‘remember’ a pathogen, so that a rapid and enhanced response can be generated upon re-infection with the same pathogen. This can be investigated by experimental techniques such as flow cytometry, histology and confocal microscopy on cells from infected mouse tissue.
Investigation Of Unique Immune Microenvironment Of Primary CNS Lymphoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,138.00
Summary
This study will investigate how the immune system responds to the development of brain lymphoma. It is expected that this lymphoma develops due to a defective immune response. It is unknown why the tumour is so effective at evading the immune response but if the hypothesis is correct, then the application of new drugs that stimulate the immune system to attack the lymphoma could lead to a marked improvement in survival without the need for toxic chemotherapy and radiation.
The Role Of Epigenetic And Transcriptional Regulation In CD8+ T Cell Effector Gene Expression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$72,571.00
Summary
All cells contain DNA that is tightly wrapped around proteins, whereby changes in the structure allow for the expression of proteins. Cells of the immune system express proteins that can resolve viral infections. This study plans to examine the factors mediating the changes in DNA that allow for the expression of these proteins in immune cells. Insights will enable a greater understanding of how these proteins are generated and maintained, and hence will have implications for vaccine design.