Biography

Dr Oksana Kehoe is a Senior Lecturer in Inflammation Biology at the School of Medicine and Lead of Rheumatology Research laboratory in the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Oswestry.

Dr Kehoe completed her PhD in the RE Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv where she was awarded a Fellowship of Ukrainian Government for young scientist.

Her academic career started in Ukraine, where she worked as a Research Scientist in the Department of Biochemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine. After moving to the UK in 2000, Dr Kehoe worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cardiff University (2000-2002) and the University of Manchester (2002-2005). She joined Keele University and Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital as a Research Fellow in 2006. In 2014, Dr Kehoe was appointed as a Lecturer in Bioscience at the School of Medicine and promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2021.

Research and scholarship

Research theme: Regenerative Medicine

The research within our laboratory is focused on understanding mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis progression and possible treatments including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium and mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles. We also try to find out how stem cells can be “encouraged” to perform better in aging and in disease such as arthritis. In our research we use many approaches, from cell biology, to biochemistry, molecular biology and animal models.

Current active projects
  1. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents in arthritis
    MSCs function predominantly through paracrine mechanisms, via growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and bioactive, membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) found in mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium. We are pursuing simultaneous characterisation of EVs derived from human MSCs cultured in different conditions to determine the impact of culture conditions upon the molecular composition of EVs. We are using pre-clinical and clinical samples to test the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of EVs.
  2. The in vitro effect of syndecan-3 gene knockout on bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells’ properties
    Inflammation is a central feature of rheumatoid arthritis that affects around 1% of the population and can result in disability and morbidity. The immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells has been widely studied and the recent observations that syndecan-3 (SDC3) is selectively pro-inflammatory in the joint led us to hypothesise that SDC3 might play an important role in MSCs biology. Syndecans are heparan sulphate proteoglycans expressed by endothelial cells of blood vessels and play a role in trafficking of inflammatory cells in an arthritis model.
  3. Achieving the large-scale expansion of allogeneic umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell
  4. PARIS: Psoriatic Arthritis – Resistance to TNF Inhibitors Study
    Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease. It affects up to 40% of people with psoriasis and it is associated with several comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hypertension. It is difficult to diagnose because of its diverse symptoms manifesting of axial and peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, skin changes and nail dystrophy. Currently, different treatments exist to treat inflammation and pain. When patients do not respond to standard first line treatment, they are treated with biologic drugs such as Tumor Necrosis Factor inhibitors (TNFi) in first instance. But these treatments are expensive and lack efficacy in 50% of the cases. It is important to find biomarkers that will predict the response of patients to TNFi, in order to treat them with the most appropriate biologic drug. In collaboration with Dr Jan Herman Kuiper, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele and clinical Rheumatologists from the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, this project aims to analyze the concentration of potential biomarkers in blood of PsA patients to predict resistance to TNFi and help clinicians to prescribe the most appropriate treatment in the first instance.
Society membership
  • UK Society for Extracellular Vesicles, member of the committee
  • International Society for Extracellular Vesicles, member
  • British Society for Immunology, member
  • British Society for Matrix Biology, member
  • Tissue and Cell Engineering Society, UK, member

Teaching

Dr Kehoe is delivering undergraduate teaching in the School of Medicine and postgraduate teaching in the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering (MSc in Cell & Tissue Engineering). Dr Kehoe delivers musculoskeletal and immunology teaching across years 1 and 2 of MBChB and the Paramedic Science with Integrated Master's courses. She is a Year 1 Unit Lead and a Problem-Based Learning Tutor.

Leadership roles

Dr Kehoe is Director of Postgraduate Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr Kehoe designed, implemented and delivered a new unit ‘Life Course’ within the revised MBChB curriculum in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Advance Higher Education

Dr Kehoe is a Fellow of the UK’s Advance HE.

Further information

The Rheumatology Research lab is based at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry as part of the FMHS Regenerative Medicine theme. The combined clinical and research excellence in Oswestry has contributed extensively to the current knowledge of mechanisms and therapy treatments for arthritis.

Oksana Lab

Rheumatology Research laboratory at the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry

Present PhD students:

  • Mairead Hyland funded by Keele ACORN, Rheumatology Trust Fund and Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry;  2017-2021.  Project  ‘Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents in arthritis’.
  • Rebecca Davies EPSRC/MRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine; 2019-2022. Project ‘Determining the role of microRNAs in extracellular vesicles produced by hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells in inflammation’ (collaboration with Dr Mark Platt, Loughborough University).
  • Anais Makos ‘Psoriatic Arthritis: a Pilot study to Stratify biologic therapies (PSAPS)’ (2020-2024) funded by the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital Charity (£96,000).

I welcome applications from students who wish to undertake PhD, MPhil, MSc or intercalated (MMedSci) postgraduate studies in my group.

Past students:

  • Rebecca Morgan EPSRC/MRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine; 2016-2020. Project ‘Uncovering the role of proteoglycans in extracellular vesicles produced by mesenchymal stem cells’ (collaboration with Dr Cathy Merry, University of Nottingham).
  • Grace Long – intercalated (MMedSci) student; 2015-2016. Project ‘The immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cell derived conditioned medium in experimental arthritis’.
  • Dr Hareklea Markides ‘The use of MRI and MNP to image and track cells in vivo for arthritic cell-based therapies’ (completed 2014) – co-supervisor.
  • Dr Lisa Rump-Goodrich ‘Expression and functionality of beta-chemokines in endothelial cells of the rheumatoid synovium’ (completed 2016) – co-supervisor.

Undergraduate (Medicine)

  • Shannen Allen - ASPIRE 2021
  • Kane Treadwell - British Society for Immunology Summer 2017 Placement
  • Bhagat Manku - INSPIRE 2016
  • George Tyler - INSPIRE 2015
  • Sweta Parida – INSPIRE 2014

Editorial roles

Dr Kehoe is an invited member of the Editorial Board of Scientific Reports (since 2018).

Outreach activities

Dr Kehoe promoted a career in STEM by participating at Stoke-on-Trent Soapbox Science event, in July 2019 with discussion topic “Could stem cells cure arthritis?”.

Oksana outside the Potteries

Dr Kehoe’s group is also implicated in several public outreach and engagement events organised by the RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital (https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/Research/Non-clinical-Studies.aspx) and Orthopaedic Institute (https://www.orthopaedic-institute.org/).

Selected Publications

  • Davies R, Allen S, Mennan C, Platt M, Wright K, Kehoe O. Extracellular Vesicle Depletion Protocols of Foetal Bovine Serum Influence Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Phenotype, Immunomodulation, and Particle Release. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 9242, vol. 24(11). doi>
  • Makos A, Kuiper JH, Kehoe O, Amarasena R. 2023. Psoriatic arthritis: review of potential biomarkers predicting response to TNF inhibitors. Inflammopharmacology, 77-87, vol. 31(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth NR, Kehoe O. 2021. Therapeutic Effects of Hypoxic and Pro-Inflammatory Priming of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Inflammatory Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 23(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth N, Kehoe O. 2021. THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF HYPOXIC AND PRO-INFLAMMATORY PRIMING OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES IN INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. doi> link> full text>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth NR, Kehoe O. 2021. Hypoxic and pro-inflammatory priming of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to reduce disease severity and immune responses in inflammatory arthritis. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (p. 405, vol. 51). link> doi>

Full Publications Listshow

Journal Articles

  • Davies R, Allen S, Mennan C, Platt M, Wright K, Kehoe O. Extracellular Vesicle Depletion Protocols of Foetal Bovine Serum Influence Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Phenotype, Immunomodulation, and Particle Release. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 9242, vol. 24(11). doi>
  • Makos A, Kuiper JH, Kehoe O, Amarasena R. 2023. Psoriatic arthritis: review of potential biomarkers predicting response to TNF inhibitors. Inflammopharmacology, 77-87, vol. 31(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth NR, Kehoe O. 2021. Therapeutic Effects of Hypoxic and Pro-Inflammatory Priming of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Inflammatory Arthritis. Int J Mol Sci, vol. 23(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth N, Kehoe O. 2021. THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF HYPOXIC AND PRO-INFLAMMATORY PRIMING OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES IN INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS. doi> link> full text>
  • Jones FK, Stefan A, Kay AG, Hyland M, Morgan R, Forsyth NR, Pisconti A, Kehoe O. 2020. Syndecan-3 regulates MSC adhesion, ERK and AKT signalling in vitro and its deletion enhances MSC efficacy in a model of inflammatory arthritis in vivo. Sci Rep, 20487, vol. 10(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Kay A, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini A, Forsyth N, Kehoe O. 2020. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Disease Severity and Immune Responses in Inflammatory Arthritis. doi> full text>
  • Jones F, Stefan A, Kay A, Hyland M, Morgan R, Forsyth N, Pisconti A, Kehoe O. 2020. MSCs from syndecan-3 null mice exhibit enhanced adhesion to collagen type I, hyperactivation of the AKT pathway and increased efficacy in inflammatory arthritis. doi> full text>
  • Hyland M, Mennan C, Wilson E, Clayton A, Kehoe O. 2020. Pro-Inflammatory Priming of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Alters the Protein Cargo of Their Extracellular Vesicles. Cells, vol. 9(3). link> doi> full text>
  • Eustace AD, McNaughton EF, King S, Kehoe O, Kungl A, Mattey D, Nobbs AH, Williams N, Middleton J. 2019. Soluble syndecan-3 binds chemokines, reduces leukocyte migration in vitro and ameliorates disease severity in models of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1-13, vol. 21(172). link> doi> link> full text>
  • McNaughton EF, Eustace AD, King S, Sessions RB, Kay A, Farris M, Broadbridge R, Kehoe O, Kungl AJ, Middleton J. 2018. Novel Anti-Inflammatory Peptides Based on Chemokine-Glycosaminoglycan Interactions Reduce Leukocyte Migration and Disease Severity in a Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Immunol, 3201-3217, vol. 200(9). link> doi> full text>
  • Chapman V, Markides H, Sagar DR, Xu L, Burston JJ, Mapp P, Kay A, Morris RH, Kehoe O, El Haj AJ. 2017. Therapeutic Benefit for Late, but Not Early, Passage Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Pain Behaviour in an Animal Model of Osteoarthritis. Stem Cells Int, 2905104, vol. 2017. link> doi> full text>
  • Kay AG, Long G, Tyler G, Stefan A, Broadfoot SJ, Piccinini AM, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2017. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium Reduces Disease Severity and Immune Responses in Inflammatory Arthritis. Sci Rep, 18019, vol. 7(1). link> doi> full text>
  • Rump L, Mattey DL, Kehoe O, Middleton J. 2017. An initial investigation into endothelial CC chemokine expression in the human rheumatoid synovium. Cytokine, 133-140, vol. 97. link> doi> full text>
  • Kehoe O. 2017. An initial investigation into endothelial CC chemokine expression in the human rheumatoid synovium. Cytokine. doi>
  • Kehoe O, Fox J, Middleton J. 2017. Anniversary Collection: 35 Years of STEM CELLS Homing of Mesenchymal Stem Cells An Update to: Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Their Phenotype, Differentiation Capacity, Immunological Features, and Potential for Homing. STEM CELLS.
  • Rump LJ, Mattey DL, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2016. Novel Identification of LYVE-1 Positive Macrophages in Rheumatoid Synovial Tissue. Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases, 74-78, vol. 2016(6). doi> link> full text>
  • Rump LJ, Mattey DL, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2016. Novel Identification of LYVE-1 Positive Macrophages in Rheumatoid Synovial Tissue. Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases, 74-78, vol. 2016(6). doi> link> full text>
  • Kehoe O, Kalia N, King S, Eustace A, Boyes C, Reizes O, Williams A, Patterson A, Middleton J. 2014. Syndecan-3 is selectively pro-inflammatory in the joint and contributes to antigen-induced arthritis in mice. Arthritis Res Ther, R148, vol. 16(4). link> doi> full text>
  • Kehoe O, Cartwright A, Askari A, El Haj AJ, Middleton J. 2014. Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells leads to reduced inflammation and cartilage damage in murine antigen-induced arthritis. J Transl Med, 157, vol. 12. link> doi> full text>
  • Markides H, Sagar DR, Kehoe O, Morris RH, Chapmann V, El Haj AJ. 2014. Correlating mesenchymal stem cell delivery with pain in an OA rat model. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, 146, vol. 8. link>
  • Kehoe O, Carthwright A, Askari A, Haj AE, Middleton J. 2014. Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells leads to reduced inflammation and cartilage damage in murine antigen-induced arthritis. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, 145-146, vol. 8. link>
  • Markides H, Kehoe O, Morris RH, El Haj AJ. 2013. Whole body tracking of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-labelled cells--a rheumatoid arthritis mouse model. Stem Cell Res Ther, 126, vol. 4(5). link> doi> full text>
  • Whittall C, Kehoe O, King S, Rot A, Patterson A, Middleton J. 2013. A chemokine self-presentation mechanism involving formation of endothelial surface microstructures. J Immunol, 1725-1736, vol. 190(4). link> doi>
  • Cartwright A, King S, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2012. Is Chemokine Receptor CCR9 Required for Synovitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis? Deficiency in CCR9 in a Murine Model of Antigen-Induced Arthritis. Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases, 77-84. doi>
  • Cai J, Kehoe O, Smith GM, Hykin P, Boulton ME. 2008. The angiopoietin/tie-2 system regulates pericyte survival and recruitment in diabetic retinopathy. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 2163-2171, vol. 49(5). link> doi>
  • Kostyuk O, Nalovina O, Mubard TM, Regini JW, Meek KM, Quantock AJ, Elliott GF, Hodson SA. 2002. Transparency of the bovine corneal stroma at physiological hydration and its dependence on concentration of the ambient anion. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 633-642, vol. 543(2). link> doi>
  • Kostyuk O, Nalovina O, Mubard TM, Regini JW, Meek KM, Quantock AJ, Elliott GF, Hodson SA. 2002. Transparency of the bovine corneal stroma at physiological hydration and its dependence on concentration of the ambient anion. J Physiol, 633-642, vol. 543(Pt 2). link> doi>
  • Ostapchenko LI, Nalevina OE, Kucherenko NE. 1999. [The use of nontraditional approaches to the analysis of the effects of radiation on the system of protein phosphorylation in spleen lymphocytes]. Radiats Biol Radioecol, 334-340, vol. 39(2-3). link>
  • Ostapchenko LI, Nalevina OE, Tomachinskaia LI, Kucherenko NE. 1998. [Effect of x-irradiation on the properties of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from rat spleen lymphocytes]. Radiats Biol Radioecol, 650-656, vol. 38(5). link>
  • Ostapchenko LI, Parkhomets TI, Kehoe O, Kucherenko NE. 1995. Post-radiation disturbances in the cyclic nucleotide system in rat spleen and thymus lymphocytes. Ukr Biokhim Zh, 70-75, vol. 67(1).
  • Ruchko MV, Ostapchenko LI, Kehoe O, Kucherenko NE. 1994. [The effect of different doses of ionizing radiation on the functional activity and mechanisms of the activation of the lymphoid cells from the spleen and thymus of rats exposed to a stimulating signal]. Radiats Biol Radioecol, 247-250, vol. 34(2).

Chapters

  • Kehoe O. 2021. Syndecan-3: A Signaling Conductor in the Musculoskeletal System. In Proteoglycans in Stem Cells, From Development to Cancer. (vol. 9). Springer. link> doi> link>
  • Kay AG, Middleton J, Kehoe O. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In STEM CELLS IN CLINICAL APPLICATIONS Volume 1: Bone and Cartilage Regeneration, 149-176;. Springer Int..

Other

  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Roach P, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth NR, Kehoe O. 2021. Hypoxic and pro-inflammatory priming of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to reduce disease severity and immune responses in inflammatory arthritis. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (p. 405, vol. 51). link> doi>
  • Kay AG, Treadwell K, Morgan R, Lodge R, Hyland M, Piccinini AM, Forsyth N, Kehoe O. 2021. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for inflammatory arthritis: from the cell to its extracellular vesicles. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (p. A13, vol. 102). link> doi> full text>
  • Stefan A, Kay AG, Forsyth N, Jones FK, Pisconti A, Kehoe O. 2018. The in vitro effect of syndecan-3 gene knockout on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells' properties. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (p. A8, vol. 99). link>
  • Kay AG, Long G, Manku B, Broadfoot S, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2017. MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AND MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL CONDITIONED MEDIUM INDUCE REGULATORY T CELLS AND PROMOTE T HELPER 2 (TH2) DIFFERENTIATION IN MURINE ANTIGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS. RHEUMATOLOGY (p. 147, vol. 56). link>
  • Kay AG, Stefan A, Rump-Goodrich L, Tyler G, Kehoe O. 2016. Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium reduces inflammation and aggrecanase- and MMP-driven cartilage degradation in antigen-induced arthritis in mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (pp. A7-A8, vol. 97). link>
  • Stefan A, Kay AG, Forsyth NR, Kehoe O. 2016. Knockout of sdc-3 gene does not alter characterisation of bone marrow derived MSCs in vitro. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY (p. A15, vol. 97). link>
  • Kay AG, Long G, Middleton J, Kehoe O. Mesenchymal Stem Cell and MSC Conditioned Medium influence T cell differentiation to moderate immune responses in Antigen Induced Arthritis. European Cells and Materials (ECM) (vol. 32). European Cells & Materials Ltd.
  • Kay AG, Rump-Goodrich L, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2015. Treatment of Experimental Arthritis with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Medium. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A (pp. S74-S75, vol. 21). link> full text>
  • Kay AG, Parida S, Stefan A, Rump A, Middleton J, Kehoe O. 2015. Assessment of aggrecanase- and MMP-driven cartilage degradation following MSC treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cells and Materials (vol. 29). Scanning Microscopy International, Inc.. link>
  • Parida SS and Kehoe O. 2015. INVESTIGATING THE CHONDROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN ARTHRITIS. RHEUMATOLOGY (p. 125, vol. 54). Oxford Journals. link> doi> full text>
  • Sagar DR, Markides H, Burston JJ, Kehoe O, El Haj AJ, Chapman V. 2014. INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTION OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IMPROVES PAIN BEHAVIOUR IN A MODEL OF OA PAIN. ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES (p. 791, vol. 73). link> doi>
  • Rump-Goodrich L, Mattey D, Kehoe O, Middleton J. 2013. DIFFERENTIAL GENERATION OF CC CHEMOKINES AT MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL CELLS OF BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS UNDER INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS. RHEUMATOLOGY (pp. 136-137, vol. 52). link>
  • Kehoe O, Cartwright A, Askari A, El Haj A, Middleton J. 2013. INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTION OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS LEADS TO REDUCED INFLAMMATION IN ANTIGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS. RHEUMATOLOGY (p. 78, vol. 52). link>
  • Hykin PG, Smith GM, Nalovina O, Cai J, Boyd S, Boulton M. 2004. Angiopoietin-1 promotes pericyte survival and activation. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (p. U736, vol. 45). link>
  • Nalovina O, Cai J, Hykin P, Boulton M. 2002. The role of the angiopoietin/Tie-2 system in retinal neovascularisation. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE (p. U298, vol. 43). link>

Collaborators

Projects and funding

Funded project (current)

2021- The British Society for Immunology - 6th European Congress of Immunology (ECI) registration grant

2021- Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
PhD studentship “Regulatory T cell-derived extracellular vesicles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cell-free modality for suppression of inflammation”

2020- RJAH Hospital Charitable Fund
PhD studentship ‘‘Psoriatic Arthritis: a Pilot study to Stratify biologic therapies (PSAPS)”

2019 EPSRC/MRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine
“Determining the role of microRNAs in extracellular vesicles produced by hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells in inflammation”

2019 TERMIS EU 2019 travel award, STEMCELL Technologies

2018 Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
“Next generation sequencing-driven analysis of microRNA cargo of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells” Principal Investigator (with Dr Daniel Tonge, Keele University)

2017 Keele University ACORN funding for 3-year PhD studentship
“Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents in arthritis” Primary supervisor

2017 Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
Matching funding for PhD project “Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents in arthritis” Principal Investigator

2017 The British Society for Immunology summer placement award for medical student “Immunoregulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on T lymphocytes” Primary supervisor

2016 EPSRC/MRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine
“Uncovering the role of proteoglycans in extracellular vesicles produced by mesenchymal stem cells” Primary supervisor (Co-supervisor Dr Cathy Merry, University of Nottingham)

2016 MRC Experimental Medicine Challenge Grant
“Pathfinder: How do cartilage injuries heal naturally? An experimental study in humans” Co-investigator (PI Dr Jan Herman Kuiper, ISTM, Keele University)

2016 RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital Charity
“Extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes: characterisation and potential applications” Principal Investigator (with Dr N.Kuiper, Professor N. Forsyth and Dr P.Roach, Keele University)

Funded projects (completed)

2015 Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
Equipment grant “InvivO2 Hypoxia workstation” Principal Investigator

2014 Oswestry Rheumatology Association
“Pre-clinical testing of hypoxic MSC as a novel cell therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis” Principal Investigator
Funded projects (completed)

2013 Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Trust Medical Research Grant
“Stem Cells as Therapeutic Agents in Arthritis” Principal Investigator (with Prof Jim Middleton, Bristol University)

2013 The Anne Duchess of Westminster Charity
Funding to purchase the EVOM2 (Epithelial volt-ohmeter) to measure the transendothelial resistance across a microvascular endothelial monolayer, Principal investigator

2013 Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
“Defining the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of MSCs in arthritis” Principal Investigator

2012 Oswestry Rheumatology Association
“Chondrogenic effect of mMSC in antigen-induced arthritis model” Principal Investigator

2012 Arthritis Research UK Equipment grant
“BD FACSVerse Flow Cytometer (3 Laser 4-2-2)” Co-investigator (with Drs Karina Wright, Claire Mennan and Professors James Richardson and Sally Roberts)

2012 Institute of Orthopaedics, Oswestry
Equipment grant “Quantitative analysis of living cells: Cell IQ machine” Co-investigator (with Drs Karina Wright, Claire Mennan, Sharon Owen and professors James Richardson and Sally Roberts)

2011 Insitute of Orthopaedics Ltd, Oswestry
“The Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis” Principal Investigator

2011 EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine
“From the science bench to the clinical application. Establishing stem cell population with consistent and reproducible therapeutic behaviours” Principal Investigator (with Professors Alicia El Haj and James Richardson)

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