Health Research, Inc.
Grant: $491,634 - National Institutes of Health - Jul. 17, 2009
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Award Description: To obtain a detailed understanding of both innate and adaptive immune responses to bacterial pathogens that cause repeated respiratory tract infections in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We are studying how key outer membrane antigens of the bacteria that are responsible for exacerbations of COPD stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses and how their cross-talk accounts for some of the lung damage that is manifested during the disease. An understanding of these processes will be crucial to the strategies to vaccine development and patient management.
Project Description: Our studies have established that the presence of the lipid tail on the bacterial protein is crucial to activating the dendritic cell both phenotypically and functionally. We have determined that the lipoprotein P6 induces up-regulation of co-stimulatory markers on the DC, whereas the antigen lacking the lipid motif fails to do so. Further, the DC activated by the lipoprotein P6 antigen secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines whereas the DC stimulated with the non-lipidated antigen does not secrete any cytokines. Importantly, animals immunized with the lipidated antigen make very high titer antibody responses to the antigen which persist, in contrast to the relatively weak and non-sustained antibody responses obtained in mice immunized with the non-lipidated antigen. This has important significance to the development of a vaccine based on the nature of the antigen utilized.
Jobs Summary: The following job titles and job descriptions performed activities on this ARRA funded project. The mission of Roswell Park is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. The ARRA funding provided is to help realize this mission. Research Affiliate is a young researcher trainee who has earned a doctorate and is beginning a scientific career. (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jul. 17, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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