Translational Research on the Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Bacterial Infection–Derived Autoimmune Sequelae
Laryngeal streptococcal infections, commonly referred to as strep throat, are frequently linked to the onset or exacerbation of chronic autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis, rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, and central nervous system autoimmune disorders. Although immunological mechanisms like molecular mimicry have been proposed to explain this association, the underlying pathways driving these long-observed clinical phenomena remain largely unresolved.
Aberrant lipid metabolism and altered lipid profiles are hallmarks of acute and recurrent bacterial infections. However, their role in modulating immune responses and contributing to the development of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases is still poorly understood. Our research focuses on elucidating previously underexplored molecular pathways that govern lipid-mediated T cell responses via CD1c antigen presentation, with particular emphasis on their roles in host defence, immune tolerance, and inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
By integrating expertise in human immunology, omics technologies, structural biology, and molecular biophysics, we aim to advance the fundamental understanding of lipid antigen presentation. This knowledge will inform the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of translational candidates, ultimately guiding immune intervention strategies and improving clinical outcomes in systemic autoimmune diseases.
Our Team
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Yi-Ling Chen
Career Development Fellow
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Ching-Chih Wu
DPhil Student
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Emily Ng
Research Assistant
CollaboratIONs
Graham Ogg - MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
Matthew Bottomley - CAMS Oxford Institute
Adan Pinto-Fernandez - CAMS Oxford Institute
Pablo Cespedes-Donoso - CAMS Oxford Institute
Tao Dong - CAMS Oxford Institute
Hashem Koohy - MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
Oxford-Janssen Cartography Collaboration