Collaborations

The Section's interested in academic and pharmaceutical collaborations in clinical and experimental studies aiming on allergen tolerance. Our competencies  are:

Clinical analysis

There is a dedicated clinical trial unit (GCP standard). There are dedicated clinical areas for confidential interview, treatment and observation. There is a specialised unit for pharmacodynamic studies including measurement of airway metacholine responsiveness and allergen challenge of skin, nose and lung. There are facilities for fibre-optic bronchoscopy, nasal endoscopy, lavage and biopsy.

 

Biomarkers

Current biomarkers: In vivo: conjunctival and nasal immediate allergen responses. In vitro: serum IgE, IgG4, IgA2 and IgG-associated inhibitory assays (IgE FAB and basophil histamine release). Ex vivo: nasal lavage (cell counts), nasal secretions (cytokines, Luminex) and curettage (mRNA). Nasal and bronchial biopsies for mechanistic studies (see below). 

 

Cellular analysis

The section has made significant contributions to the immunological understanding of allergy and basic cellular techniques are routinely applied to important clinical questions. In particular, allergen-induced T cell responses can be monitored in vitro and in vivo (left panel: allergen-induced FOXP3+ cells in the nasal mucosa). Techniques include: allergen-specific human and murine T cell cultures, proliferation assays (thymidine incorporation, CFSE), cell sorting (magnetic & FACS), ELISPOT assay, class II tetramer staining of allergen-specific T cells, dendritic cell culture and tissue perfusion techniques.

Experimental disease models

A number of in vitro and in vivo experimental models are available for the study of allergen-specific immune regulation and tolerance induction. New and unique transgenic models of allergic asthma and allergy have been developed to define underlying disease mechanisms and test novel therapeutics.