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Research

What is triggering immune reactions in people with MS?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where a person's immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord.

Research

Progressive increase of FcεRI expression across several PBMC subsets is associated with atopy and atopic asthma within school-aged children

The expression pattern of FcεRI on DC and basophils differentiates asthmatic from non-asthmatic atopic children

Research

Basophil counts in PBMC populations during childhood acute wheeze/asthma are associated with future exacerbations

Our findings suggest that the proportion of degranulated basophils can also be associated with recurrent exacerbations

Research

Egg-sensitised infants have elevated CD4+ effector memory T regulatory cells from birth

IgE-mediated sensitisation to egg is common in infants. In some cases, the processes leading to egg sensitisation are established in early life, even before introduction to solid foods. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. 

Research

Oestrogen amplifies pre-existing atopy-associated Th2 bias in an experimental asthma model

The role of oestrogen in experimental atopic asthma, and guide future research on sex-related variations in atopic asthma susceptibility/intensity

Research

Editorial: The relationship between puberty and immune-driven disease

The way the immune system operates differs between males and females. This is due to both differential expression of immune-related genes from the sex chromosomes as well as the immune modulatory properties of sex hormones. Together, these effects contribute to a skewed prevalence of disease and disease course between males and females, including allergic-, infectious-, autoimmune-, and cancerous disease.

Research

Assessing neutrophil subsets in autoimmune disease: Moving away from relying on density?

Neutrophils are the most abundant immune cell in circulation. However, due to a number of technical challenges for researchers, including the neutrophil's short lifespan and difficulties with preservation, they are often discarded during blood processing and thus ignored in cohort studies. As such, the contribution of neutrophils to disease and their involvement in disease mechanisms is less explored compared with other immune cell types.

Research

The role of virus defence in childhood asthma

The overarching aim of this project is to understand how plasmacytoid dendritic cells function in children with asthma and how genes and environmental stimuli influence these cells.

Research

Circulating Memory B Cells in Early Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Increased IgA+ Cells, Globally Decreased BAFF-R Expression and an EBV-Related IgM+ Cell Signature

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that results in demyelination of axons, inefficient signal transmission and reduced muscular mobility. Recent findings suggest that B cells play a significant role in disease development and pathology. To further explore this, B cell profiles in peripheral blood from 28 treatment-naive patients with early MS were assessed using flow cytometry and compared to 17 healthy controls.

Research

Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

The immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability.