

My research has a particular focus upon a family of receptor tyrosine kinases known as the TAM family - Tyro3, Axl and Mertk- of receptors. This family has been shown to be central to the inhibition of the innate immune response to pathogens and their loss leads to a broad-spectrum autoimmunity in mice.
Work in our laboratory has shown that SNPs within the gene for the Mertk receptor are associated with susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis. In addition, we have previously shown that the absence of the TAM ligand Gas6 leads to increased oligodendrocyte loss and microglial activation in a toxin-induced model of demyelination, as well as to a delay in remyelination.
My current work is focussed upon elucidating the role of TAM receptor signalling in the control of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination, as well as neuroinflammation during demyelination in both animal models and in the human disease.
Research Papers
Showing 10 of 21. VIEW ALL
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Role of Cytokines as Mediators and Regulators of Microglial Activity in Inflammatory Demyelination of the CNSNeuromol Med
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Polymorphisms in the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase MERTK Gene Are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis SusceptibilityPLoS ONE
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Gas6 Increases Myelination by Oligodendrocytes and Its Deficiency Delays Recovery following Cuprizone-Induced DemyelinationPLoS ONE
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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression is increased in the hippocampus of 5-HT2C receptor knockout miceHippocampus
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Sex-specific disruptions in spatial memory and anhedonia in a “two hit” rat model correspond with alterations in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and signalingHippocampus
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Galanin is an autocrine myelin and oligodendrocyte trophic signal induced by leukemia inhibitory factorGlia
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Long-term effects of combined neonatal and adolescent stress on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine receptor expression in the rat forebrainBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease
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The TAM receptor Tyro3 regulates myelination in the central nervous system.
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Common and Low Frequency Variants in MERTK Are Independently Associated with Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility with Discordant Association Dependent upon HLA-DRB1*15:01 Status.
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The TAM receptor TYRO3 is a critical regulator of myelin thickness in the central nervous systemGlia
Showing 10 of 21. VIEW ALL
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