Summary
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative therapy in children and adults with blood cancers and other blood disorders. HSCT involves the transplantation of donor (graft) stem cells within peripheral blood or bone marrow into a patient (host).
In approximately half of these people, HSCT results in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), where donor cells mediate a destructive immune response against host tissues (gut, liver, skin, lungs and eyes) to cause severe morbidity and death.
Thus, new therapies are urgently needed to reduce the severity of and prevent GVHD in people undergoing HSCT. Work by our group and others have demonstrated important roles for the P2X7 receptor in GVHD development.
Using a humanized mouse model of GVHD, our group is investigating the role of the P2X7 receptor in GVHD development, and whether this receptor is a potential therapeutic target alone or in combination with other therapeutic targets in this disease.
Funding body
UOW Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
Scheme name
Small Project Grants Scheme
Years funded
2018
Lead institution
University of Wollongong
