UNDERSTANDING HEPATITIS C VIRUS-SPECIFIC T CELL TOLERANCE [ 2007 - 2009 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Eric Gowans (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Bruce Loveland ,  Dr Shuo Li

Brief description Most individuals who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop a persistent infection that is lifelong and are at risk of developing serious liver disease, including liver cancer. The evidence suggests that an inadequate immune response is responsible for the inability of the patient to resolve the infection, but it is not clear which stage of the immunological cascade might be targeted. In this project, we will test the hypothesis that HCV antigen induce supressor T cells This will have the effect of inhibiting the immune response and result in the outcome that we currently recognise as persistent HCV infection.

Funding Amount $AUD 429,710.05

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant