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Proteomics confirms immune stabilizing effects of narrowband UVB treatment in patients with clinically isolated syndrome and multiple sclerosisMultiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrates a latitude gradient in prevalence and severity, implicating ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and photoimmune mechanisms in disease risk and progression. While narrowband (NB)-UVB phototherapy has long stabilized inflammation in dermatology, its systemic immunomodulatory effects in MS remain incompletely defined.
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Reduced Type-I Interferon by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Asthma in School-Aged ChildrenAllergic sensitization and reduced ability to respond to viral infections may contribute to virus-induced wheeze and asthma development in young children. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are rare immune cells that produce type I interferons (IFN-I) and play a key role in orchestrating immune responses against viruses.
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Plasma testosterone concentration is correlated with circulating immune cell abundance in transgender young people on gender-affirming hormone treatmentSex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, display significant immune modulatory properties. This is highly relevant for transgender (trans) people who undergo gender-affirming hormone (GAH) treatment. However, only a limited number of studies have evaluated the immunological impact of GAH treatments, and almost none have assessed the impact in trans young people.
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Atopy-related immune profiles are subject to genetic influence as evaluated using school-aged twin pairsThe interaction of genetic and environmental contributions to immunological traits and their association with atopic disease remain unclear. Flow cytometry and in vitro cytokine responses were used to characterize immune profiles from 93 school-aged twin pairs. Using an established twin pair analytical strategy, the genetic and environmental influences on immunological traits were evaluated, along with their association with atopy. Our findings suggest strong genetic influence on several traits, particularly B cell abundance. In contrast, cytokine responses from in vitro stimulations appeared mainly shaped by environmental exposures.
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Clinical Predictors of Longitudinal Respiratory Exacerbation Outcomes in Young Hospitalised ChildrenRespiratory infection and wheezing illness are leading causes of hospitalisation in childhood, placing a significant burden on families and healthcare systems. However, reliably distinguishing children at risk of developing persistent disease from those likely to outgrow their symptoms remains a clinical challenge. Earlier identification would allow clinicians to focus care and resources on those most likely to benefit from long-term management, while reducing anxiety and uncertainty about the future for families.
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Gender and Immunity Study (GIM)The Gender and IMmunity study (GIM) aims to evaluate how gender-affirming hormone therapy impacts the immune system in young trans individuals, and how this translates to short and long-term health outcomes.
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The role of virus defence in childhood asthmaThe 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.
Our team aims to better understand how the immune response to immune challenges, such as viral infections can influence the risk of developing asthma or autoimmune disease.
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Investigating the role of Neutrophils in Multiple SclerosisNeutrophils are a type of immune cell that can trigger inflammation and may play a role in the development of MS.
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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.