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Bruno Gran

Clinical Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

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Biography

An overview of some key areas of our research in neuroimmunology can be found in review articles, including:

  • O'Brien et al. 2010. T-cell based immunotherapy in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Immunotherapy 2:99-115
  • Nyirenda et al., 2009. Modulation of regulatory T cells in health and disease: role of toll-like receptors. Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets 8, 124-9
  • O'Brien et al., 2008. Role of the innate immune system in autoimmune inflammatory demyelination. Current Medicinal Chemistry 15, 1105-15

Expertise Summary

The expertise of our research group is in the immunology of the nervous system, with a special focus on neuroimmunology of MS.

We use cellular and molecular immunology techniques, tissue culture, molecular biology, experimental models, and clinical studies to address scientific questions in MS, with an emphasis on the mechanisms of nervous tissue damage and repair by cells of the immune system.

Teaching Summary

Multiple sclerosis, diseases of the spinal cord, neuroimmunology, general neurology.

See also: http://www.nuh.nhs.uk/neurology/DrBGran.aspx

Research Summary

We study the interaction of the innate and adaptive immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Current research in our laboratory focuses on… read more

Selected Publications

Current Research

We study the interaction of the innate and adaptive immune system in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Current research in our laboratory focuses on how Toll-like receptors (TLRs) modulate the function of human regulatory T cells (Tregs). Such cells inhibit the function of effector T cells, which are involved in initiating and maintaining inflammatory responses that cause damage to the central nervous system in MS. We have found that certain TLRs can reduce the function of Tregs, thus facilitating increased inflammatory activity in MS.

Another line of research focuses on how endosomal TLRs regulate the function of dendritic cells and B cells by interacting with the indoleamine 2,3-dioxigenase system in experimental models of MS.

Our larger research theme is on how infections influence people's susceptibility to develop MS, how they can reactivate disease in clinical relapses, and influence the development of disability (progression).

Past Research

Previous (and ongoing) research focused on the recognition of myelin antigens by human T cell receptors and on the role of heterodimeric cytokines (IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27) in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory demyelination.

Future Research

We are interested in research collaborations that can facilitate the application of basic neuroimmunology work to the treatment of patients with MS.

The Clinical Trial section of our website contains more details on completed and current trials involving patients with MS.

School of Clinical Sciences

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Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham, NG7 2UH

telephone: +44 (0) 115 823 0695
fax: +44 (0) 115 823 0704
email: scs-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk