Role Of Pacemaker Cells In The Generation Of Slow Wave Activity In The Prostate Gland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$231,500.00
Summary
The prostate gland commonly enlarges in ageing males resulting in a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia which is poorly understood. Because of the strategic position of the prostate, its enlargement physically compresses the segment of the urinary system passing through it causing inconvenient and distressing symptoms, such as difficulty and hesitancy in urination, which often require surgical or medical intervention. Indeed patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia are of ....The prostate gland commonly enlarges in ageing males resulting in a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia which is poorly understood. Because of the strategic position of the prostate, its enlargement physically compresses the segment of the urinary system passing through it causing inconvenient and distressing symptoms, such as difficulty and hesitancy in urination, which often require surgical or medical intervention. Indeed patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia are often treated with pharmacological agents that reduce the size of the prostate or relax the prostate and bladder, thus relieving some of the symptoms. However, the precise cellualr mechanisms by which many of these drugs mediate their effects have not been confirmed. Moreover, although previous studies of the prostate gland have clearly established many of the basic properties of the tissue, there is currently a lack of information regarding the prostate gland at a cellular level. We have recently identified a specialised group of 'interstitial cells' in the prostate gland, which resemble the well-described 'interstitial cells of Cajal' in the gut. In the gut, these cells perform a wide variety of functions including the initiation of contractile activity. Interstitial cells are also thought to play a role in diseases of the bowel. This project aims to investigate the role of the interstitial cells in the functioning of the prostate gland. In addition, the effects of age and hormones on the interstitial cells will be considered, which may lead to a better understanding of conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finally, identifying nerve-released substances that may affect the activity of these cells may also help identify alternative targets for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.Read moreRead less
This application will allow me to restructure my work to provide sufficient time to do full justice to the current and planned commitments of our Respiratory Research Group. Our research programme includes the immunopathology of chronic airway diseases; the epidemiology of respiratory disease (TAHS); clinical physiology technology to service these studies; respiratory clinical pharmacology; microbe-host interactions in CF and COPD; and EBM in chronic respiratory disease self-management .
Investigating The Effects Of Macrolides On Excessive Synthesis And Secretion Of Airway Mucins Using Novel Ex Vivo And In Vivo Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$520,821.00
Summary
Many people have difficulty breathing because the airway tubes that move air in and out of their lungs are blocked by excessive amounts of sticky mucus. Our project will use new techniques developed in our laboratories to investigate whether a group of medicines called “macrolides” can prevent the excessive production and release of mucus in the airways, and thus be beneficial in treating asthma, and potentially other lung diseases.
Revolutionising The Diagnosis And Monitoring Of CF Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$818,391.00
Summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease starts early in childhood and relentlessly progresses, with early death a common outcome. There is currently no method capable of detecting very early disease onset nor directly assessing the effectiveness of putative treatments. This project will apply our globally unique X-ray imaging tools, which are capable of imaging lung function at any point across the entire lung, for the very early detection of CF and assessment of clinically applicable treatments.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes airway narrowing and lung destruction resulting in breathlessness and cough. Earlier detection of acute attacks of breathlessness may improve treatment, prevent progression and reduce risk of death. The forced oscillation technique can detect attacks earlier and is easy to perform. It will be used in this study for home monitoring with application of time series analyses to accurately detect change so that acute attacks can be treated earlier.
Targeting Remodelling In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Asthma And Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,634.00
Summary
Lung diseases (emphysema, asthma & pulmonary fibrosis) are major burdens on Australian community and economy. Airway remodelling/wounding is a key feature of all these diseases. Patients experience severe breathlessness seriously impacting quality of life and frequently leading to death. We will assess the potential of new targets (including IL-33), & therapy in suppressing wounding in experimental models. This may lead to a new treatment to reverse or prevent lung diseases.
Mechanisms Of Airway Narrowing In Eosinophilic And Non-eosinophilic Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,593.00
Summary
Asthma is associated with excessive airway narrowing, increased thickness of the airway wall and inflammation, most typically with eosinophils. However, 50% of cases have few eosinophils and respond less well to current treatments. This project will examine differences in airway structure between patients with or without eosinophils, using post-mortem tissue, as part of an international research collaboration.