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Jessica Browne

Jessica Browne

Research Organisation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences
Field of Research: Biological Sciences
Supervisor(s): Professor Jennelle Kyd, Dr Evan Matthews, Dr Ajay Krishnamurthy
Student Type: Doctor of Philosophy

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Email: jessica.browne@cqumail.com

Research Details

Thesis Name: The presence and function of Regulatory T and Th17 cells in cellular immunity in adenoids, tonsils and blood of Otitis Media-Prone children

Thesis Abstract:

In chronic cases of otitis media, children will often require surgery to remove their adenoids and tonsils for two reasons; to remove the tissue source that provides a microbial reservoir that contributes greatly to infections, and to remove the inflamed tissue that causes unwanted pain and discomfort. As adenoids and tonsils are the local secondary lymph organs generating immune responses in upper respiratory infections, it is important to understand how they contribute to infections such as otitis media. Often when these secondary lymph structures are removed an improvement in disease outcome is observed without a known mechanism. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subset of helper T cells that work in balancing the immune response to self and infection. Tregs exert a suppressive effect on local inflammatory responses to avoid unwanted tissue damage associated with a severe prolonged inflammatory response.

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