Menna Clatworthy

Last updated
Menna R. Clatworthy
Alma mater University of Cambridge
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Cambridge
National Institutes of Health

Menna R. Clatworthy FRCP FMedSci FLSW is a British immunologist who is Professor of Translational Medicine at the University of Cambridge. She studies human tissue immunity. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and was elected to the European Molecular Biology Organization in 2022.

Contents

Early life and education

Clatworthy completed an undergraduate degree in medicine at Cardiff University. She specialised in nephrology at the University of Cambridge, where she undertook a doctorate in medicine. She was supported by the British Renal Association Raine Award. [1]

Research and career

Clatworthy looks to understand the types of immune cells that live within human organs, and how their local environment impacts their function. [2] [3] She studies human tissue immunity in lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. [2] She makes use of single cell genome sequencing and advanced imaging to uncover how environmental cues shape immune responses in health and disease. Clatworthy established the Cambridge Tissue Immunity Laboratory. [4] As part of this, she is responsible for the kidney cell atlas and the bladder cell atlas. [2]

Clatworthy has studied the role of the immune system in neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease and depression. To do this, she made use of a mouse model. She noticed that plasma cells within the dura (the outer part of the meninges) were aligned along the border of the dural venous sinuses. [5] On further investigation, Clatworthy realised that these antibodies were producing Immunoglobulin A, antibodies which are typically found in the gut. [5] She investigated the origins of these bacteria, and showed that they originated in the intestine. She argued that these antibodies flow to the dural venous sinuses to protect the brain from microbes. [5]

Clatworthy was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020 and the EMBO in 2022. [6] [7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clatworthy investigated the immune responses of people who suffered severe and asymptomatic COVID-19. [8]

In 2020, Clatworthy was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. [9]

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immunology</span> Branch of medicine studying the immune system

Immunology is a branch of biology and medicine that covers the study of immune systems in all organisms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymphatic system</span> Organ system in vertebrates

The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system, and complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs, lymphoid tissues and lymph. Lymph is a clear fluid carried by the lymphatic vessels back to the heart for re-circulation..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lymph node</span> Organ of the lymphatic system

A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that include B and T cells. Lymph nodes are important for the proper functioning of the immune system, acting as filters for foreign particles including cancer cells, but have no detoxification function.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immunoglobulin A</span> Antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucous membranes

Immunoglobulin A is an antibody that plays a role in the immune function of mucous membranes. The amount of IgA produced in association with mucosal membranes is greater than all other types of antibody combined. In absolute terms, between three and five grams are secreted into the intestinal lumen each day. This represents up to 15% of total immunoglobulins produced throughout the body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerebral circulation</span> Brain blood supply

Cerebral circulation is the movement of blood through a network of cerebral arteries and veins supplying the brain. The rate of cerebral blood flow in an adult human is typically 750 milliliters per minute, or about 15% of cardiac output. Arteries deliver oxygenated blood, glucose and other nutrients to the brain. Veins carry "used or spent" blood back to the heart, to remove carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and other metabolic products. The neurovascular unit regulates cerebral blood flow so that activated neurons can be supplied with energy in the right amount and at the right time. Because the brain would quickly suffer damage from any stoppage in blood supply, the cerebral circulatory system has safeguards including autoregulation of the blood vessels. The failure of these safeguards may result in a stroke. The volume of blood in circulation is called the cerebral blood flow. Sudden intense accelerations change the gravitational forces perceived by bodies and can severely impair cerebral circulation and normal functions to the point of becoming serious life-threatening conditions.

<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">Clonal selection</span> Model of the immune system response to infection

In immunology, clonal selection theory explains the functions of cells of the immune system (lymphocytes) in response to specific antigens invading the body. The concept was introduced by Australian doctor Frank Macfarlane Burnet in 1957, in an attempt to explain the great diversity of antibodies formed during initiation of the immune response. The theory has become the widely accepted model for how the human immune system responds to infection and how certain types of B and T lymphocytes are selected for destruction of specific antigens.

Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is a component of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) which works in the immune system to protect the body from invasion in the gut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dural arteriovenous fistula</span> Medical condition

A dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) or malformation is an abnormal direct connection (fistula) between a meningeal artery and a meningeal vein or dural venous sinus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Follicular dendritic cells</span> Immune cells found in lymph nodes

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are cells of the immune system found in primary and secondary lymph follicles of the B cell areas of the lymphoid tissue. Unlike dendritic cells (DC), FDCs are not derived from the bone-marrow hematopoietic stem cell, but are of mesenchymal origin. Possible functions of FDC include: organizing lymphoid tissue's cells and microarchitecture, capturing antigen to support B cell, promoting debris removal from germinal centers, and protecting against autoimmunity. Disease processes that FDC may contribute include primary FDC-tumor, chronic inflammatory conditions, HIV-1 infection development, and neuroinvasive scrapie.

A breakthrough infection is a case of illness in which a vaccinated individual becomes infected with the illness, because the vaccine has failed to provide complete immunity against the pathogen. Breakthrough infections have been identified in individuals immunized against a variety of diseases including mumps, varicella (Chickenpox), influenza, and COVID-19. The characteristics of the breakthrough infection are dependent on the virus itself. Often, infection of the vaccinated individual results in milder symptoms and shorter duration than if the infection were contracted naturally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis</span> Presence of a blood clot in the dural venous sinuses or cerebral veins

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis or cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), is the presence of a blood clot in the dural venous sinuses, the cerebral veins, or both. Symptoms may include severe headache, visual symptoms, any of the symptoms of stroke such as weakness of the face and limbs on one side of the body, and seizures, which occur in around 40% of patients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humoral immune deficiency</span> Medical condition

Humoral immune deficiencies are conditions which cause impairment of humoral immunity, which can lead to immunodeficiency. It can be mediated by insufficient number or function of B cells, the plasma cells they differentiate into, or the antibody secreted by the plasma cells. The most common such immunodeficiency is inherited selective IgA deficiency, occurring between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 persons, depending on population. They are associated with increased vulnerability to infection, but can be difficult to detect in the absence of infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mucosal immunology</span> Field of study

Mucosal immunology is the study of immune system responses that occur at mucosal membranes of the intestines, the urogenital tract, and the respiratory system. The mucous membranes are in constant contact with microorganisms, food, and inhaled antigens. In healthy states, the mucosal immune system protects the organism against infectious pathogens and maintains a tolerance towards non-harmful commensal microbes and benign environmental substances. Disruption of this balance between tolerance and deprivation of pathogens can lead to pathological conditions such as food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, susceptibility to infections, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akiko Iwasaki</span> Immunobiologist

Akiko Iwasaki is a Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at Yale University. She is also a principal investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Her research interests include innate immunity, autophagy, inflammasomes, sexually transmitted infections, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, respiratory virus infections, influenza infection, T cell immunity, commensal bacteria, COVID-19 and Long COVID.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meningeal lymphatic vessels</span>

The meningeal lymphatic vessels are a network of conventional lymphatic vessels located parallel to the dural venous sinuses and middle meningeal arteries of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). As a part of the lymphatic system, the meningeal lymphatics are responsible for draining immune cells, small molecules, and excess fluid from the CNS into the deep cervical lymph nodes. Cerebrospinal fluid, and interstitial fluid are exchanged, and drained by the meningeal lymphatic vessels.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muzlifah Haniffa</span> Malaysian dermatologist and immunologist

Muzlifah Haniffa is a Malaysian dermatologist and immunologist who focuses on the development of the immune system and the use of single-cell techniques to understand biology. Haniffa is a professor and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.

Katherine Jane Doores is a British biochemist who is a senior lecturer in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King's College London. During the COVID-19 pandemic Doores studied the levels of antibodies in patients who had suffered from COVID-19.

Yanlan Mao is a British biologist who is a professor at University College London. Her research considers cell biology and the molecular mechanism that underpin tissue formation. She was awarded the Royal Microscopical Society Medal for Life Sciences in 2021.

References

  1. "Contact details". Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  2. 1 2 3 "Clatworthy Group - Wellcome Sanger Institute". www.sanger.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  3. Clatworthy, Prof Menna (2018-03-22). "Prof Menna Clatworthy". www.cardiovascular.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  4. dt216. "Home". Professor Clatworthy's Group. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  5. 1 2 3 "Cells to protect the brain". www.thenakedscientists.com. 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  6. "Find people in the EMBO Communities". people.embo.org. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  7. "Hospital consultants elected to prestigious academy". Cambridge University Hospitals. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  8. "Immune responses of people with asymptomatic and severe Covid-19 compared by scientists". Cambridge Independent. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  9. Wales, The Learned Society of. "Menna Clatworthy". The Learned Society of Wales. Retrieved 2023-08-29.