A. S. MacDonald

Aspergillus-mediated allergic airway inflammation is triggered by dendritic cell recognition of a defined spore morphotype, a process that can be targeted via antifungal therapeutics.

This study identifies a specific stage of Aspergillus fumigatus spore development that activates dendritic cells to trigger allergic airway inflammation and shows antifungal drugs can reduce this process.

Mgl2+ cDC2s coordinate fungal allergic airway type 2, but not type 17, inflammation.

The paper identifies Mgl2+ cDC2s as key drivers of type 2, but not type 17, fungal allergic airway inflammation in mice.

Engineering the glioblastoma microenvironment using TLR7/8 agonist-complexed graphene oxide nanosheets

This paper demonstrates that graphene oxide nanosheets loaded with a TLR7/8 agonist can reprogram tumor-associated macrophages in GBM to a pro-inflammatory state, reducing tumor burden.

Allergen-induced airway matrix remodelling in mice can be prevented or reversed by targeting chitinase-like proteins.

This study shows that targeting chitinase-like proteins can prevent or reverse allergen-induced airway matrix remodelling in mice, independent of ongoing inflammation.

Genotype and Th2 cells control monocyte to tissue resident macrophage differentiation during nematode infection of the pleural cavity

This study shows that host genetics and Th2 cells influence monocyte-to-tissue-resident-macrophage differentiation during nematode infection in mice.

IL-13 deficiency exacerbates lung damage and impairs epithelial-derived type 2 molecules during nematode infection

This study shows that IL-13 reduces lung damage and supports epithelial type 2 molecule production during nematode infection in mice.

The neutrophil antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin promotes Th17 differentiation

This study shows cathelicidin promotes Th17 differentiation by enhancing AHR and RORγt expression, increasing IL-17F production, and protecting Th17 cells from apoptosis.

Mapping the influence of the gut microbiota on small molecules in the brain through mass spectrometry imaging

This study uses mass spectrometry imaging to map microbial and host metabolites in the gut and brain of mice, finding altered metabolites in germ-free animals but not after antibiotic treatment.