Ocular Immunology Group
This Group is the only one in Australia dedicated to the scientific investigation of inflammatory eye disease. These conditions (uveitis, scleritis, keratitis, pterygium, and Sjogren’s syndrome) are leading causes of blindness and ocular morbidity. The aims of the Group are to investigate the mechanisms responsible for ocular inflammation. The research program is concerned with two major areas: the mechanisms of cellular recruitment to the eye, and destruction of ocular tissues. Specific molecules targeted are cytokines, chemokines and metalloproteinases (MMP). The group also has an interest in genetic polymorphisms in MMP genes and their association with proliferative ocular and other diseases. Recently members of the group have initiated studies in search of markers that will identify ocular surface stem cells. The ultimate aim of the research is to develop novel therapeutic strategies for preventing inflammation, tissue injury and blindness.
Researchers
Professor Denis Wakefield
Dr Nick Di Girolamo
Professor Peter McCluskey
Professor Minas Coroneo
Anusha Hettiaratchi, PhD Student
Edwin Figueira, PhD Student
Jeanie Chui, PhD Student
John Chang, PhD Student
VanHung Nguyen, PhD Student
Daya Papalkar, Masters Student
Selected Publications
Di Girolamo N,
McCluskey P, Lloyd A,
Coroneo MT,
Wakefield D. Expression of MMPs and TIMPs in human pterygia and cultured pterygium epithelial cells.
Invest Ophthmol Vis Sci. 2000;671-679.
Thakur A, Xue M, Stapleton F, Lloyd AR,
Wakefield D, Willcox MDP. Balance of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines Correlates with Outcome of Acute Experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis.
Infect Immun. 2002;70:2187-2197.
Cuello C,
Wakefield D,
Di Girolamo N. Neutrophil accumulation correlates with type IV collagenase/gelatinase activity in endotoxin induced uveitis.
Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:290-295
Lan J,
Di Girolamo N, Kumar R,
Coroneo MT,
Wakefield D. Expression and distribution of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the human iris and ciliary body.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2003:87:208-211.
Xue ML,
Wakefield D, Willcox MDP, Lloyd AR,
Di Girolamo N, Cole N, Thakur A. Regulation of MMPs and TIMPs by IL-1 during corneal ulceration and infection.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003:44:2020-2025.
Di Girolamo N,
Coroneo MT,
Wakefield D. UVB-elicited-induction of MMP-1 expression in human ocular surface epithelial cells is mediated through the ERK1/2 MAPK-dependent pathway.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:4705-4714.
Di Girolamo N,
Chui J,
Coroneo, MT,
Wakefield D. Pathogenesis of pterygia: role of cytokines, growth factors, metalloproteinases, and ultraviolet light.
Progress Ret Eye Res. 2004;23:195-228.
Di Girolamo N,
Coroneo MT,
Wakefield D. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling is partially responsible for the increased MMP-1 expression in ocular epithelial cells after UVB radiation.
Am J Pathol. 2005;167:489-503.