Regulatory T cells in renal disease

Maliha Alikhan et al. published in Clinical & Translational Immunology.

Read article here.

CID seminar: "Targeted Treatment in Experimental Autoimmune anti-GBM disease" & "Cyclophilins in Renal Disease", 10 October

Tuesday 10 October, 12-1pm, Seminar Room 1, TRF  

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.

CID Weekly Seminar: "Targeting HLA to Treat Anti-GBM Disease" Tuesday 15 November

Tuesday 15 November, 12:00 - 1:00pm, Seminar Room 1, Level 2, TRF Building

Ms Megan Huynh, Postgraduate Student

Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University

Associations between HLA and autoimmune disease are often linked with an increased susceptibility to disease. Such is the case in anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease, a form of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis strongly associated with the HLA-DR15 allele. Though these associations are not well understood, they provide ideal targets for specific therapy that may improve current, broadly immunosuppressive treatments for autoimmune disease. Blocking the DR15 MHC with a small molecule inhibitor in anti-GBM disease demonstrates the potential for this type of therapy.

A light lunch is served prior to the seminar at 11:45am in the seminar room foyer, level 2, TRF Building.


Further information, including the link to add the seminar series to your google calendar, is available from CID Weekly Seminar Series website [http://www.med.monash.edu.au/scs/medicine/cid/seminar-series.html]