Lymphocyte interactions in the liver microenvironment
Overview
Dr. Stamataki's research group are interested in how the liver microenvironment affects T cell and B cell function.
A delicate balance is reached in the liver in health, where lymphocytes successfully eliminate infection and tumours, while causing minimal damage to liver tissues in the process. In chronic inflammation, these processes are no longer regulated appropriately and this can lead to progressive liver damage requiring a transplant.
Chronic liver diseases of multiple aetiologies are rising in incidence worldwide, and are a pressing unmet need for therapeutics.
Based in one of the largest liver transplant centres in Europe, we study lymphocytes from blood, liver and secondary lymphoid tissues from patients with autoimmunity, dietary injury (fatty diet, alcohol abuse) or virus infections.
Our experiments provide insight in the successes and failures of B and T cells in these conditions, with a view to develop therapeutic interventions.
Our research group
Chung BK, Guevel BT, Reynolds GM, Gupta Udatha DB, Henriksen EK, Stamataki Z, Hirschfield GM, Karlsen TH and Liaskou E (2016) Phenotyping and auto-antibody production by liver-infiltrating B cells in primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cholangitis. J Autoimmun [Epub ahead of print]
Bruns T, Zimmermann HW, Pachnio A, Li KK, Trivedi PJ, Reynolds G, Hubscher S, Stamataki Z, Badenhorst PW, Weston CJ, Moss PA and Adams DH (2015) CMV infection of human sinusoidal endothelium regulates hepatic T cell recruitment and activation. J Hepatol 63(1):38-49
Stamataki Z, Coates S, Abrignani S, Houghton M and McKeating JA (2011) Immunization of human volunteers with hepatitis C virus envelope glycoproteins elicits antibodies that cross-neutralize heterologous virus strains. J Infect Dis. 204(5):811-3
Stamataki Z, Shannon-Lowe C, Shaw J, Mutimer D, Rickinson AB, Gordon J, Adams DH, Balfe P and McKeating JA (2009) Hepatitis C virus association with peripheral blood B lymphocytes potentiates viral infection of liver-derived hepatoma cells. Blood 113(3):585-93