Harnessing our immune system to protect against ageing
Ageing is the leading non-modifiable risk factor for a range of immune-related diseases, including ischaemia-reperfusion injury (e.g. myocardial infarction, stroke), cancer, infections, wound healing complications, degenerative disorders (e.g. vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease), and cardiovascular conditions. It also drives multimorbidities (i.e. two or more long-term health conditions), which affects 75% of adults over the age of 70, which often culminate in organ failure and death.​​
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As we age, the immune system undergoes dynamic changes, characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation termed ‘inflammaging’. This involves immune cells, including neutrophils, platelets, and endothelial cells, alongside pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Inflammaging not only impairs immune responses to infections and vaccines (e.g. SARS-CoV-2) but also worsens outcomes in diseases like COVID-19. Understanding how these mechanisms contribute to poor clinical outcomes is critical for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Our research focuses on the dynamics and mechanisms of inflammaging in the microcirculation, both in the brain and systemic organs. Using cutting-edge technologies such as high-resolution in vivo imaging, multi-omics approaches, single-cell RNA sequencing, and human microfluidic models, we aim to unravel the haemodynamic complexities of immune responses in ageing. These advanced methodologies drive our efforts in drug discovery, enabling us to manipulate the immune system and address key global health challenges.
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