Inflammation, Skin & Joint Diseases
Inflammation represents the coordinated immune response to infection, trauma and injury. When appropriately controlled, inflammation ensures competent host defence and prevents excessive damage of the affected tissue or organ structure. In chronic inflammatory diseases, this process is disrupted and instead of offering protection, drives disease progression.
Clinical Lead
Research Lead
Principle Investigators
Members of the inflammation, skin and joint disease theme research the molecular, cellular and immunological processes that drive host defence and chronic disease progression. These include studies into the mechanisms underlining chronic inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular disease, disorders in haemostasis and control of the inflammatory response to infection.
The group is built around a close interaction between basic and clinical researchers, and spans both novel discovery biology and translational studies. Internationally recognized research into the regulation of complement, cytokine and lipid signalling, coagulation, and various aspects of immune cell regulation and homeostatic turnover are central themes within the group. These activities are leading to novel prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for direct patient benefit.
Selected Recent Publications
- Immunosuppression for acquired hemophilia A: Results from the European Acquired Haemophilia Registry (EACH2).
Collins P, Baudo F, Knoebl P, Lévesque H, Nemes L, Pellegrini F, Marco P, Tengborn L, Huth-Kühne A, Blood (April 2012) - A novel hybrid CFH/CFHR3 gene generated by a microhomology-mediated deletion in familial atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Francis NJ, McNicholas B, Awan A, Waldron M, Reddan D, Sadlier D, Kavanagh D, Strain L, Marchbank KJ, Harris CL, Goodship TH, Blood, Volume 119, 2 (January 2012) pp.591-601 - Population pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor VIII: the relationships of pharmacokinetics to age and body weight.
Björkman S, Oh M, Spotts G, Schroth P, Fritsch S, Ewenstein BM, Casey K, Fischer K, Blanchette VS, Collins PW, Blood, Volume 119, 2 (January 2012) pp.612-618 - Human peritoneal mesothelial cells respond to bacterial ligands through a specific subset of Toll-like receptors.
Colmont CS, Raby AC, Dioszeghy V, Lebouder E, Foster TL, Jones SA, Labéta MO, Fielding CA, Topley N, Nephrol Dial Transplant, Volume 26, 12 (December 2011) pp.4079-4090 - TLR activation enhances C5a-induced pro-inflammatory responses by negatively modulating the second C5a receptor, C5L2.
Raby AC, Holst B, Davies J, Colmont C, Laumonnier Y, Coles B, Shah S, Hall J, Topley N, Köhl J, Morgan BP, Labéta MO, Eur J Immunol, Volume 41, 9 (September 2011) pp.2741-2752