Targeted
Treatment in Experimental Autoimmune
anti-GBM disease
Presented by Megan Huynh, Postgraduate
Student, CID
Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease is an autoimmune
form of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The standard treatment for
anti-GBM disease uses toxic immunosuppressants that can have detrimental
effects. To address the need for more specific treatment options, the potential
of two targeted treatment methods has been explored using a mouse model of
experimental autoimmune anti-GBM disease. One method takes advantage of the
strong association between anti-GBM disease and HLA-DR15, an allele that
carries an increased disease risk and is highly prevalent in patients.
Selectively blocking DR15 MHC using a small molecule inhibitor prevents
activation of autoreactive T cells by inhibiting presentation of the
autoepitope. A different approach aims to induce antigen-specific immune
suppression, by using liposomes to target antigen presenting cells and generate
regulatory T cells. By inhibiting effector T cells or inducing regulatory T
cells, development of an autoimmune response and subsequent disease may be
avoided.
Cyclophilins in Renal Disease
Presented by Dr Khai Gene Leong, Postgraduate Student, CID
Inflammation and apoptosis are
important underlying causes of renal injury/ dysfunction, and progressive renal
fibrosis leading to chronic kidney disease. However, despite the large burden
of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is no
current successful clinical therapeutics that halts the process of AKI, and
progression of AKI to CKD. Cyclophilins are ubiquitously expressed proteins
that are physiologically involved in protein folding. Of these, Cyclophilin A
(CypA) has a key role in regulating the inflammatory process, and Cyclophlin D
(CypD) is an essential component of the mitochondrial permeability membrane
pore opening leading to cell death. I will explore the roles of CypA and CypD
in contributing to renal disease to aid in future development of therapeutics
that may lessen the incidence and prevalence of AKI and CKD.
Dr Leong is a Clinical Nephrologist currently
undertaking her PhD studies at the Nephrology lab, Department of Nephrology,
Monash Health.
Lunch is served at 11.45am.
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