 |
|
 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Renal and Autoimmunity Group |
| Resolution of Inflammation Group | |
| Centre for Inflammation | |
| Other renal research in Edinburgh | |
| Staff (RA Group) | |
| Publications (RA Group) | |
| Contact us |
Two research groups within the University of Edinburgh are closely allied to the clinical Renal service. Between them they hold over £5M of funding, one of the largest concentrations of renal research in the UK. These groups are located within the MRC Centre for Inflammation (CIR), an association of over 200 scientists working together on different aspects of research into inflammation. Although inflammation can affect any organ, within the Centre there is a particular focus on conditions affecting the kidneys and lungs. Approximately 20 medical graduates hold research training posts within the Centre for Inflammation, and at any one time several of them are nephrology trainees.
The two major renal groups are the Renal and Autoimmunity Research Group (Professor Neil Turner, Dr Richard Phelps) and the Resolution of Inflammation Group (Professor John Savill, Dr Jeremy Hughes, Dr David Kluth). Both groups have laboratories in the Medical School complex. Other major components of the Centre for Inflammation are adjacent. In 2005 the Centre for Inflammation will move in to occupy one entire floor of the new Research Institute that is being built adjacent to the new Royal Infirmary building at Little France - see a picture.
Renal and Autoimmunity Group |
Autoimmunity - and Goodpasture's disease
|
Much kidney disease is believed to be autoimmune - as well as many diseases of other organs. Our work focuses on the best understood example of renal autoimmunity, Goodpasture's disease, from which huge amounts of knowledge about kidney disease and autoimmune processes have already been learned. Goodpasture's disease is caused by autoimmunity to a particular molecule in the glomerular basement membrane (the Goodpasture antigen). We are learning about how this molecule becomes the target of immunity by studying the following two processes: Read further information (for patients and doctors) about Goodpasture's (anti-GBM) disease Read about diagnostic tests that we can undertake for Goodpasture and Alport patients (to follow) Read about further information about Red Cell Aplasia associated with therapy with recombinant erythropoietin, and research and tests that we are undertaking on the problem |
 GBM outlined by autoantibodies in anti-GBM disease |
Antigen processing and presentation
|
Goodpasture antigen-derived peptides identified by mass spectrometry |
In order to understand processes of immunity and tolerance we have used an unusual approach that investigates how the Goodpasture antigen is processed and 'seen' by the immune system. This entails the use of recombinant systems for production of antigen, and extensive biochemical purification and analysis to study how (auto)antigens are internalized and recognised by antigen presenting cells and cells of the immune system. In order to do this with the required precision and sensitivity we use advanced purification and mass spectrometric techniques in our own laboratory and in collaborate with the Edinburgh Protein Interaction Centre (EPIC) based in the Department of Chemistry. Although most of this work has involved the the rare human condition Goodpasture's disease as a model, the approach is being extended to the study of other molecules that are important in disease processes, and to the study of processes of antigen processing and presentation more generally, including the handling of pathogenic bacteria. |
Immune tolerance
| Rather than study just the disease process, our work is also focusing on the way in which the immune system normally prevents itself from attacking the Goodpasture antigen - how it maintains its state of 'tolerance'. This work is undertaken in close collaboration with immunology laboratories in Edinburgh and elsewhere. |
|
Other areas
Members of the group have additional expertise and interests in the following areas:
Support
Work in the laboratory is supported by the Medical Research Council of Great Britain, the National Kidney Research Fund of Great Britain, and by other bodies.
Further information
Staff .....
Contact us by email at renal@ed.ac.uk, or by contacting individuals (see University search page for this). Our mailing address is:
Renal and Autoimmunity Group, Centre for Inflammation
Hugh Robson Building
14 George Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9J
Scotland, UK
Resolution of Inflammation Group |
Pages in preparation - will be linked from here
Pages updated
