Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science (IBBS)
Respiratory Immunopharmacology Group
Head of Group: Dr Janis Shute BSc, PhD
The respiratory immunopharmacology research group is focussed on studies investigating mechanisms of inflammation, tissue damage and repair in respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In particular, the group is investigating the mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties of heparin for novel therapeutic applications in the treatment of obstructive airways disease. In addition, in collaboration with the University of Southampton, the group is developing and testing novel inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, an enzyme with a central role in the pathophysiology of both cystic fibrosis and COPD. Asthma research focusses on mechanisms of bronchial epithelial repair, and the role of coagulation factors. In addition, the group are developing disease biomarker assays to monitor disease progression and response to therapy in clinical samples.
Clinical research is carried out in collaboration with Respiratory Consultants at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, Southampton General Hospital and the Brompton Hospital in London.
Current research interests of this team include:
- The regulation of chemokine and growth factor function by proteoglycans in tissue
- The role played by coagulation cascade proteins in tissue damage and repair
- Pharmacological regulation of the expression and activity of these proteins
- Endothelial cell culture models of neutrophil, T-cell and eosinophil recruitment and activation
- The pro-inflammatory effects of copper
- Bronchial epithelial cell culture to investigate the role played by the secretory IgA system and the defensins in the immune response to infection.
- The role of platelets in inflammatory airway disease.
- The development of novel neutrophil elastase inhibitors.