In a world first, researchers in Oxford have mapped the cellular dynamics following treatment with the most commonly used advanced therapy in autoimmune diseases. They have discovered why some patients benefit from this therapy while others do not, potentially paving the way for new therapies. ... READ MORE
News for Inflammation across Tissues
Research identifies autoimmunity against a key anti-inflammatory regulator in IBD
A ground-breaking study has identified a new disease-inducing mechanism for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in which the immune system attacks its own regulatory function. Interleukin-10 (IL10) is an anti-inflammatory protein that crucially controls intestinal immunity. Children with genetic ... READ MORE
Study identifies ways cancer treatment may lead to harmful side effects
A team of University of Oxford researchers have identified potential pathways by which cancer treatment can cause colitis. Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) are a type of cancer treatment that help the immune system fight cancer by removing some of its restraints. However, these treatments ... READ MORE
New NIHR Oxford Senior Research Fellows named
Researchers from a wide range of disciplines have been appointed to be the next cohort of NIHR Oxford Senior Research Fellows – seven mid-career researchers identified as having the potential to become future translational research leaders. As in previous years, the selection ... READ MORE
“Don’t think ‘someone else can do it’; you need to be that person.”
Research participant profile: Maryam Masood was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 20. But that had followed three years of symptoms and uncertainty about what was causing them. She is now taking part in research trials supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), ... READ MORE
Genetic signals that cause ankylosing spondylitis uncovered
A study by University of Oxford researchers has uncovered the genetic signals that cause ankylosing spondylitis, a common form of spinal arthritis. The results of the study, published in the journal Cell Genomics, offer new hope to patients and their families, as they pave the way for the ... READ MORE
‘Game-changing’ drug found to be effective to treat chronic pouchitis
A study led by Oxford researchers has found that the drug vedolizumab can induce remission in patients who have chronic pouchitis after surgery for ulcerative colitis. Twelve percent of people with ulcerative colitis need surgery to have their colon removed. Most have an ileo-anal pouch ... READ MORE
National guidelines produced on use of genomics in treatment of IBD
National guidelines have been developed for clinicians on the use of genomics to diagnose and care for patients with monogenic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of intestinal disorders caused by variations in a single gene. The new guidelines, unveiled in an article in the Lancet ... READ MORE
Better diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases a step closer
A study involving Oxford researchers has outlined a way to find the crucial peptides (protein fragments) that drive autoimmunity, as well as the immune cells that respond to it. On a fundamental level, in autoimmune diseases immune cells mistake healthy cells for infected cells. Finding the ... READ MORE
Adalimumab found to be cost-effective treatment for early-stage Dupuytren’s disease
Oxford researchers supported by the Oxford BRC have found that the anti-TNF treatment adalimumab is likely to be a cost-effective treatment for people affected by early-stage Dupuytren’s disease. Anti-TNF treatments interfere with the action of a protein called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and ... READ MORE
Professor Fiona Powrie recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Professor Fiona Powrie, who leads the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre’s Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity Theme, has been honoured in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Prof Powrie, Director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, was appointed Dame Commander of the Most Excellent ... READ MORE
Paediatric IBD BioResource opens to support vital research
A new National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource aimed at investigating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children has opened, with the NIHR Oxford BRC playing a key role. The new Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (PIBD) BioResource will drive research into Crohn’s ... READ MORE
Oxford BRC researchers named NIHR Senior Investigators
Seven Oxford academics, six of them supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their outstanding leadership in research. The NIHR describes its Senior ... READ MORE
Genetic study highlights links between IBS and mental health disorders
Research funded and supported by the NIHR has revealed that symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be caused by the same biological processes as mental health conditions such as anxiety. IBS is a common condition worldwide, affecting around 1 in 10 people. The condition causes a wide ... READ MORE
New therapeutic targets identified to treat inflammatory bowel disease
A new study by University of Oxford researchers has identified potential new therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), giving hope to millions of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The research team from the University’s Kennedy Institute of ... READ MORE
New atlas reveals pre-birth development of blood cells in bone marrow
A new study has provided the most detailed analysis so far of the prenatal development of blood and immune cells in the bone marrow. The study, published in Nature, is part of the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) initiative to provide comprehensive reference maps of every cell type in the human ... READ MORE
MAIT Cell activation may play role in COVID-19 deaths, study finds
Oxford researchers have found a correlation between deaths from COVID-19 infections and a poorly coordinated systemic immune response, as well as increased activity by Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells, or ‘MAIT cells’. A study involving Oxford BRC-supported researchers published ... READ MORE
New study launched to understand vaccine escape
Oxford researchers will be involved in a major new study seeking to understand why some people become infected after vaccination or prior infection while others do not Oxford BRC-supported investigators already involved in the Protective Immunity from T-Cells in Healthcare workers (PITCH) study ... READ MORE
Liver problems common among COVID-19 patients, study finds
A study by Oxford University researchers has found that liver problems are common among patients with COVID-19. Patient data revealed that baseline hypoalbuminemia (an possible indication that the liver is producing low levels of albumin) and rising alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which can be a ... READ MORE
Latest data on immune response to COVID-19 reinforces need for vaccination
A new study led by University of Oxford has found that previous infection, whether it was symptomatic or asymptomatic, does not necessarily protect you long term from COVID-19, particularly against new variants of concern. The PITCH Study (Protective Immunity from T cells to COVID-19 in Health ... READ MORE