Research interests
My research focuses on understanding the immune regulatory pathways in the healthy, diseased and ageing central nervous system (CNS). We study the effect of antibody mediated inflammation in the CNS, and how these responses may contribute to the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, age related macular degeneration and systemic lupus erythematosis. We are particularly interested in the role of Fcgamma receptors and microglial activation.
We also study the effect of systemic inflammation on the central nervous system, using real bacterial and viral infection models. We are interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological, metabolic and behavioural changes during systemic infection and we investigate the immunological changes in the CNS that occur during ageing or age-related neurological diseases.
Using novel models for AMD, we will investigate the functional role of antibodies in disease onset and progression.
This MRC funded CASE studentship aims to understanding the role of FcγR in immunotherapy for neurodegenerative diseases. This work is in collaboration with Lundbeck.
PhD supervision
Salome Murinello
James Fuller
Adam Hart
Olivia Larsson
Research group
Neuroscience
Affiliate research groups
Microbiology, Southampton Neuroscience Group (SoNG)
Research project(s)
Acute injury to a tissue results in activation of a rapid innate inflammatory response. This response is dominated by local changes in the vasculature, and the recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes from the blood to the site of injury.
Linking the immune system to the central nervous system: a role for antibodies and Fcγ receptors in neuronal damage.
Using immunocytochemistry, molecular biology and formal behavioural testing techniques we investigate antibody-mediated neuronal damage in lupus.
We are exploring if and how the brain adapts to chronic, repeated inflammatory challenges and found that while the peripheral immune system becomes tolerant to repeated immune challenges, the brain continues to respond.
We have made exciting and interesting observations on antibody mediated responses in the CNS which are particularly relevant for novel immunotherapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease) or autoimmune diseases (lupus and MS).
This MRC funded CASE studentship aims to understanding the role of FcγR in immunotherapy for neurodegenerative diseases. This work is done in collaboration with Lundbeck.
Professor Jessica L. TeelingBiological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Room Number : SGH/LD80/MP840
