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Immunobiology & Immunotherapeutic ProgramListed are The Kids Research Institute Australia research teams involved in our Immunity and Inflammation Program. This program sits under the Early Environment research theme.
Research
Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple SclerosisThe immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability.
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FcgammaRIIb Expression Is Decreased on Naive and Marginal Zone-Like B Cells From Females With Multiple SclerosisB cells are critical to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the mechanisms by which they contribute to the disease are poorly defined. We hypothesised that the expression of CD32b (FcγRIIb), a receptor for the Fc region of IgG with inhibitory activities in B cells, is lower on B cell subsets from people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or MS. CD32b expression was highest on post-naive IgM+ B cell subsets in healthy controls. For females with MS or CIS, significantly lower CD32b expression was identified on IgM+ B cell subsets, including naive and IgMhi MZ-like B cells, when compared with control females. Lower CD32b expression on these B cell subsets was associated with detectable anti-Epstein Barr Virus viral capsid antigen IgM antibodies, and higher serum levels of B cell activating factor. To investigate the effects of lower CD32b expression, B cells were polyclonally activated in the presence of IgG immune complexes, with or without a CD32b blocking antibody, and the expression of TNF and IL-10 in B cell subsets was assessed.
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UVB phototherapy for participants with an early form of multiple sclerosisMatt Prue Stephanie Cooper Hart Trend BCA Marketing, BSc Statistics and Applied Statistics, PhD BSc (Hons) MSc PhD BSc PhD Manager, Biostatistics
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1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances the ability of transferred CD4+ CD25+ cells to modulate T helper type 2-driven asthmatic responsesThe severity of allergic diseases may be modified by vitamin D. However, the immune pathways modulated by the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
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Topical 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 subverts the priming ability of draining lymph node dendritic cellsThe active form of vitamin D, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] is produced in skin following exposure to sunlight
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Altered immunity and dendritic cell activity in the periphery of mice after long-term engraftment with bone marrow from ultraviolet-irradiated miceTo investigate the immune capabilities of peripheral tissue DCs generated in vivo from the BM of UV-irradiated mice, chimeric mice were established.
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Maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and offspring eating disorder risk in adolescenceThis is the first study to link low gestational vitamin D to increased eating disorder risk in female offspring of Caucasian mothers.
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Vitamin D deficiency causes airway hyperresponsiveness and increases airway smooth muscle mass in the lungs of female BALB/c miceWe tested whether there is a causal association between vitamin D deficiency, airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass, and the development of airway hyperresponsiveness
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Inflammatory bowel diseases: interrelationships between dietary vitamin D, exposure to UV radiation and the fecal microbiomeThis review explores the interaction of vitamin D, and ultraviolet radiation, with the intestinal innate and adaptive immune systems