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Research

Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and bone mass in offspring at 20 years of age: A prospective cohort study

This longitudinal, prospective study investigated the association between maternal vitamin D status and peak bone mass of offspring in 341 mother and...

Research

Toward homeostasis: Regulatory dendritic cells from the bone marrow of mice with inflammation

Inflammatory mediators from peripheral tissues may control dendritic cell (DC) development in the bone marrow.

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Vitamin D supplementation of initially vitamin D-deficient mice diminishes lung inflammation with limited effects on pulmonary epithelial integrity

In disease settings, vitamin D may be important for maintaining optimal lung epithelial integrity and suppressing inflammation, but less is known of its effects prior to disease onset.

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PGE2 pulsing of murine bone marrow cells reduces migration of daughter monocytes/macrophages in vitro and in vivo

Our results reveal long-lasting changes to progenitor cells of monocytes/macrophages by a 2-hour dimethyl PGE2 pulse that, in turn, limits the migration of their daughter cells to chemoattractants and inflammatory mediators.

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UVR exposure, Vitamin D and type 1 diabetes

Liz Prue Davis Hart MBBS FRACP PhD BSc (Hons) MSc PhD Theme Head, Chronic & Severe Diseases; Clinical Lead, Diabetes and Obesity Research Honorary

Research

FcgammaRIIb Expression Is Decreased on Naive and Marginal Zone-Like B Cells From Females With Multiple Sclerosis

B 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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More Than Effects in Skin: Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Changes in Immune Cells in Human Blood

Cells of the skin and circulation are in constant two-way communication. Following exposure of humans to sunlight or to phototherapy, there are alterations in the number, phenotype and function of circulating blood cells.

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Metabolic dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet modulates hematopoietic stem and myeloid progenitor cells in brown adipose tissue of mice

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) may be an important metabolic regulator of whole-body glucose. While important roles have been ascribed to macrophages in regulating metabolic functions in BAT, little is known of the roles of other immune cells subsets, particularly dendritic cells (DCs). Eating a high-fat diet may compromise the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)-which give rise to DCs-in bone marrow, with less known of its effects in BAT. We have previously demonstrated that ongoing exposure to low-dose ultraviolet radiation (UVR) significantly reduced the 'whitening' effect of eating a high-fat diet upon interscapular (i) BAT of mice.

Research

Immunobiology & Immunotherapeutic Program

Listed 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

Changes in serum neurofilament light chain levels following narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in clinically isolated syndrome

To determine whether serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are suppressed in patients with the clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) following narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (UVB-PT).