Deborah Dunn-Walters

Last updated

Deborah Dunn-Walters
Born1963 (age 59–60)
Alma mater University of Surrey
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Surrey
King's College London
Thesis Studies on the human glutathione peroxidase gene and related DNA sequences  (1990)

Deborah Kay Dunn-Walters FRSB (born September 1963) is a British immunologist who is Professor of Immunology at the University of Surrey. Her research considers B-cell development in healthy ageing and in disease, particularly from the viewpoint of antibody repertoires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunn-Walters focussed on mapping responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection [1] and the development of single cell analyses of the immunological responses to a COVID-19 vaccine. She was a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, and provided the government with scientific advice during the pandemic.

Contents

Early life and education

Dunn-Walters was born in Shipley, West Riding of Yorkshire and grew up in Cottingley, Bradford. Dunn-Walters worked toward her doctorate at the University of Surrey. Her doctoral research considered the glutathione peroxidase gene. [2] After a brief period working with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund on breast cancer she moved into the study of Immunology. She has worked at University College London, King's College London and University of Surrey.

Research and career

Dunn-Walters has over a hundred primary research publications. She studies B cell development in disease, and how the immune system changes during ageing. [3] She has developed new characterisation techniques to understand immune responses, including single-cell [4] and repertoire [5] approaches. She discovered IgM memory B cells in the spleen, [6] that the older immune system has a less diverse repertoire of B cells, [7] that there are at least 10 different types of B cells, [8] that different types of B cells may have different repertoires and therefore be responding to different stimuli. [5] [9] She works in collaboration with computer scientists and together they have produced online tools for repertoire analysis. [10] More recently, the development of new tools for distinguishing between productive and sterile transcripts of Ig constant region genes in B cells has shown that B cells become primed for Immunoglobulin class switching in a stage before they actually switch. [11] She is part of the CARINA (Catalyst Reducing Immune Ageing) Network, [12] a collective which looks to understand how ageing impacts the immune system and vice versa. [13]

Dunn-Walters has served on grants awarding and strategy committees for funding bodies such as the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) MRC and BBSRC, Research Council of Norway, Fondazione Cariplo Italy. She is a member of the British Society for Research on Ageing where she has previously served on the board and as Programme Secretary. She is also a member and elected Trustee for the British Society for Immunology where she chairs their Immunology Taskforce. She also serves as Chair-elect Trustee for the Dunhill Medical Trust.

Dunn-Walters is currently the Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology at the University of Surrey

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunn-Walters served as a scientific advisor to the Government of the United Kingdom. She was a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and Chair of the British Society for Immunology COVID-19 Taskforce. [14] Dunn-Walters recommended all who were able to have the COVID-19 vaccine. [14]

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immunoglobulin G</span> Antibody isotype

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a type of antibody. Representing approximately 75% of serum antibodies in humans, IgG is the most common type of antibody found in blood circulation. IgG molecules are created and released by plasma B cells. Each IgG antibody has two paratopes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plasma cell</span> White blood cell that secretes large volumes of antibodies

Plasma cells, also called plasma B cells or effector B cells, are white blood cells that originate in the lymphoid organs as B cells and secrete large quantities of proteins called antibodies in response to being presented specific substances called antigens. These antibodies are transported from the plasma cells by the blood plasma and the lymphatic system to the site of the target antigen, where they initiate its neutralization or destruction. B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibody molecules closely modeled after the receptors of the precursor B cell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CD40 (protein)</span> Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

Cluster of differentiation 40, CD40 is a type I transmembrane protein found on antigen-presenting cells and is required for their activation. The binding of CD154 (CD40L) on TH cells to CD40 activates antigen presenting cells and induces a variety of downstream effects.

Co-stimulation is a secondary signal which immune cells rely on to activate an immune response in the presence of an antigen-presenting cell. In the case of T cells, two stimuli are required to fully activate their immune response. During the activation of lymphocytes, co-stimulation is often crucial to the development of an effective immune response. Co-stimulation is required in addition to the antigen-specific signal from their antigen receptors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CD22</span> Lectin molecule

CD22, or cluster of differentiation-22, is a molecule belonging to the SIGLEC family of lectins. It is found on the surface of mature B cells and to a lesser extent on some immature B cells. Generally speaking, CD22 is a regulatory molecule that prevents the overactivation of the immune system and the development of autoimmune diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Degranulation</span> Process by which cells lose secretory granules

Degranulation is a cellular process that releases antimicrobial cytotoxic or other molecules from secretory vesicles called granules found inside some cells. It is used by several different cells involved in the immune system, including granulocytes and mast cells. It is also used by certain lymphocytes such as natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells, whose main purpose is to destroy invading microorganisms.

Priming is the first contact that antigen-specific T helper cell precursors have with an antigen. It is essential to the T helper cells' subsequent interaction with B cells to produce antibodies. Priming of antigen-specific naive lymphocytes occurs when antigen is presented to them in immunogenic form. Subsequently, the primed cells will differentiate either into effector cells or into memory cells that can mount stronger and faster response to second and upcoming immune challenges. T and B cell priming occurs in the secondary lymphoid organs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marginal-zone B cell</span>

Marginal-zone B cells are noncirculating mature B cells that in humans segregate anatomically into the marginal zone (MZ) of the spleen and certain other types of lymphoid tissue. The MZ B cells within this region typically express low-affinity polyreactive B-cell receptors (BCR), high levels of IgM, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), CD21, CD1, CD9, CD27 with low to negligible levels of secreted-IgD, CD23, CD5, and CD11b that help to distinguish them phenotypically from follicular (FO) B cells and B1 B cells.

Cruzipain is a cysteine protease expressed by Trypanosoma cruzi.

The immune repertoire encompasses the different sub-types an organism's immune system makes of immunoglobulins or T-cell receptors. These help recognise pathogens in most vertebrates. The sub-types, all differing slightly from each other, can amount to tens of thousands, or millions in a given organism. Such a wide variety increases the odds of having a sub-type that recognises one of the many pathogens an organism may encounter. Too few sub-types and the pathogen can avoid the immune system, unchallenged, leading to disease.

Regulatory B cells (Bregs or Breg cells) represent a small population of B cells that participates in immunomodulation and in the suppression of immune responses. The population of Bregs can be further separated into different human or murine subsets such as B10 cells, marginal zone B cells, Br1 cells, GrB+B cells, CD9+ B cells, and even some plasmablasts or plasma cells. Bregs regulate the immune system by different mechanisms. One of the main mechanisms is the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-35, or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). Another known mechanism is the production of cytotoxic Granzyme B. Bregs also express various inhibitory surface markers such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), CD39, CD73, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The regulatory effects of Bregs were described in various models of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, transplantation reactions, and in anti-tumor immunity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ILC2</span>

ILC2 cells, or type 2 innate lymphoid cells are a type of innate lymphoid cell. Not to be confused with the ILC. They are derived from common lymphoid progenitor and belong to the lymphoid lineage. These cells lack antigen specific B or T cell receptor because of the lack of recombination activating gene. ILC2s produce type 2 cytokines and are involved in responses to helminths, allergens, some viruses, such as influenza virus and cancer.

Tolerogenic dendritic cells are heterogenous pool of dendritic cells with immuno-suppressive properties, priming immune system into tolerogenic state against various antigens. These tolerogenic effects are mostly mediated through regulation of T cells such as inducing T cell anergy, T cell apoptosis and induction of Tregs. Tol-DCs also affect local micro-environment toward tolerogenic state by producing anti-inflammatory cytokines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uterine natural killer cells</span> Maternal lymphocytes that make up 70% of the total found during pregnancy

Uterine natural killer cells make up approximately 70% of maternal lymphocytes during pregnancy, occupying both the decidua basalis of the endometrium at the implantation site and the mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) that surrounds the blood vessels supplying the placenta. This number is at its peak in early pregnancy but declines at parturition.

Karen Louise Mossman is a Canadian virologist who is a professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University. Mossman looks to understand how viruses get around the defence mechanisms of cells. She was part of a team of Canadian researchers who first isolated SARS-CoV-2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Borger</span> Australian T Cell immunologist

Jessica Geraldine Borger is an Australian T Cell immunologist, lecturer and graduate course coordinator at the Central Clinical School, Monash University. Her research has added to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of T cell function. Additionally, Borger is a news and commentary editor for Immunology & Cell Biology and a guest associate editor for Frontiers in Immunology, and a reviewer for several academic journals. Jessica also advocates for gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in her position a member of the Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee of the Central Clinical School at Monash University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eat-me signals</span>

Eat-me signals are molecules exposed on the surface of a cell to induce phagocytes to phagocytose (eat) that cell. Currently known eat-me signals include: phosphatidylserine, oxidized phospholipids, sugar residues, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), calreticulin, annexin A1, histones and pentraxin-3 (PTX3).

Cd1-restricted T cells are part of the unconventional T cell family, they are stimulated by exposure to CD1+ antigen presenting cells (APCs). Many CD1-restricted T cells are rapidly stimulated to carry out helper and effector functions upon interaction with CD1-expressing antigen-presenting cells. CD1-restricted T cells regulate host defence, antitumor immunity and the balance between tolerance and autoimmunity.

Thymus stromal cells are subsets of specialized cells located in different areas of the thymus. They include all non-T-lineage cells, such as thymic epithelial cells (TECs), endothelial cells, mesenchymal cells, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes, and provide signals essential for thymocyte development and the homeostasis of the thymic stroma.

Interleukin 15-like (IL-15L) is an interleukin, a type of cytokine signaling in the immune system. It is a secreted protein of approximately 120 amino acids and related to IL-2 and IL-15.

References

  1. ↑ Stewart, Alexander; Sinclair, Emma; Ng, Joseph Chi-Fung; O’Hare, Joselli Silva; Page, Audrey; Serangeli, Ilaria; Margreitter, Christian; Orsenigo, Federica; Longman, Katherine; Frampas, Cecile; Costa, Catia; Lewis, Holly-May; Kasar, Nora; Wu, Bryan; Kipling, David (2022). "Pandemic, Epidemic, Endemic: B Cell Repertoire Analysis Reveals Unique Anti-Viral Responses to SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and Respiratory Syncytial Virus". Frontiers in Immunology. 13. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.807104 . ISSN   1664-3224. PMC   9111746 . PMID   35592326.
  2. ↑ "Studies on the human glutathione peroxidase gene and related DNA sequences | WorldCat.org". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "Prof Deborah Dunn-Walters | University of Surrey". www.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  4. ↑ Stewart, Alexander; Ng, Joseph Chi-Fung; Wallis, Gillian; Tsioligka, Vasiliki; Fraternali, Franca; Dunn-Walters, Deborah K. (2021). "Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analyses Define Distinct Peripheral B Cell Subsets and Discrete Development Pathways". Frontiers in Immunology. 12. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.602539 . ISSN   1664-3224. PMC   8012727 . PMID   33815362.
  5. 1 2 Wu, Yu-Chang; Kipling, David; Leong, Hui Sun; Martin, Victoria; Ademokun, Alexander A.; Dunn-Walters, Deborah K. (19 August 2010). "High-throughput immunoglobulin repertoire analysis distinguishes between human IgM memory and switched memory B-cell populations". Blood. 116 (7): 1070–1078. doi:10.1182/blood-2010-03-275859. ISSN   0006-4971. PMC   2938129 . PMID   20457872.
  6. ↑ Dunn-Walters, D K; Isaacson, P G; Spencer, J (1 August 1995). "Analysis of mutations in immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes of microdissected marginal zone (MGZ) B cells suggests that the MGZ of human spleen is a reservoir of memory B cells". The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 182 (2): 559–566. doi:10.1084/jem.182.2.559. ISSN   0022-1007. PMC   2192131 . PMID   7629512.
  7. ↑ Gibson, Kate L.; Wu, Yu‐Chang; Barnett, Yvonne; Duggan, Orla; Vaughan, Robert; Kondeatis, Elli; Nilsson, Bengt‐Olof; Wikby, Anders; Kipling, David; Dunn‐Walters, Deborah K. (February 2009). "B‐cell diversity decreases in old age and is correlated with poor health status". Aging Cell. 8 (1): 18–25. doi:10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00443.x. ISSN   1474-9718. PMC   2667647 . PMID   18986373.
  8. ↑ Stewart, Alexander; Ng, Joseph Chi-Fung; Wallis, Gillian; Tsioligka, Vasiliki; Fraternali, Franca; Dunn-Walters, Deborah K. (2021). "Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analyses Define Distinct Peripheral B Cell Subsets and Discrete Development Pathways". Frontiers in Immunology. 12. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.602539 . ISSN   1664-3224. PMC   8012727 . PMID   33815362.
  9. ↑ Wu, Yu-Chang Bryan; Kipling, David; Dunn-Walters, Deborah (2011). "The Relationship between CD27 Negative and Positive B Cell Populations in Human Peripheral Blood". Frontiers in Immunology. 2: 81. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2011.00081 . ISSN   1664-3224. PMC   3341955 . PMID   22566870.
  10. ↑ Margreitter, Christian; Lu, Hui-Chun; Townsend, Catherine; Stewart, Alexander; Dunn-Walters, Deborah K; Fraternali, Franca (14 April 2018). "BRepertoire: a user-friendly web server for analysing antibody repertoire data". Nucleic Acids Research. 46 (W1): W264–W270. doi:10.1093/nar/gky276. ISSN   0305-1048. PMC   6031031 . PMID   29668996.
  11. ↑ Ng, Joseph CF; Garcia, Guillem Montamat; Stewart, Alexander T.; Blair, Paul; Dunn-Walters, Deborah K.; Mauri, Claudia; Fraternali, Franca (2023). "sciCSR infers B cell state transition and predicts class-switch recombination dynamics using single-cell transcriptomic data" (PDF). bioRxiv Preprint. doi:10.1101/2023.02.02.526789. PMID   37932398. S2CID   256617391.
  12. ↑ "CARINA Network". British Society for Immunology. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "New network to boost understanding of immune system and ageing | University of Surrey". www.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 "expert reaction to JCVI advice on COVID-19 vaccines for the autumn booster programme | Science Media Centre" . Retrieved 1 January 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.