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Robert Wilson

Bio: Robert Wilson is an academic researcher from University of Oxford. The author has contributed to research in topics: Neutron & Autoantibody. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 18 publications receiving 601 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert Wilson include Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital & Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings indicate that the SKG ZAP-70W163C mutation predisposes BALB/c mice to SpA, resulting from innate and adaptive autoimmunity, after systemic β-glucan or mannan exposure.
Abstract: Objective The spondylarthritides (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cause chronic inflammation of the large peripheral and axial joints, eyes, skin, ileum, and colon. Genetic studies reveal common candidate genes for AS, PsA, and Crohn's disease, including IL23R, IL12B, STAT3, and CARD9, all of which are associated with interleukin-23 (IL-23) signaling downstream of the dectin 1 β-glucan receptor. In autoimmune-prone SKG mice with mutated ZAP-70, which attenuates T cell receptor signaling and increases the autoreactivity of T cells in the peripheral repertoire, IL-17–dependent inflammatory arthritis developed after dectin 1–mediated fungal infection. This study was undertaken to determine whether SKG mice injected with 1,3-β-glucan (curdlan) develop evidence of SpA, and the relationship of innate and adaptive autoimmunity to this process. Methods SKG mice and control BALB/c mice were injected once with curdlan or mannan. Arthritis was scored weekly, and organs were assessed for pathologic features. Anti–IL-23 monoclonal antibodies were injected into curdlan-treated SKG mice. CD4+ T cells were transferred from curdlan-treated mice to SCID mice, and sera were analyzed for autoantibodies. Results After systemic injection of curdlan, SKG mice developed enthesitis, wrist, ankle, and sacroiliac joint arthritis, dactylitis, plantar fasciitis, vertebral inflammation, ileitis resembling Crohn's disease, and unilateral uveitis. Mannan triggered spondylitis and arthritis. Arthritis and spondylitis were T cell– and IL-23–dependent and were transferable to SCID recipients with CD4+ T cells. SpA was associated with collagen- and proteoglycan-specific autoantibodies. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the SKG ZAP-70W163C mutation predisposes BALB/c mice to SpA, resulting from innate and adaptive autoimmunity, after systemic β-glucan or mannan exposure.

202 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A clinic-based survey of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Australia and New Zealand found NMOSD to be more common in the population with Asian ancestry and incidence and prevalence are comparable with figures from other populations of largely European ancestry.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We have undertaken a clinic-based survey of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) in Australia and New Zealand to establish incidence and prevalence across the region and in populations of differing ancestry BACKGROUND: NMOSD is a recently defined demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) The incidence and prevalence of NMOSD in Australia and New Zealand has not been established METHODS: Centres managing patients with demyelinating disease of the CNS across Australia and New Zealand reported patients with clinical and laboratory features that were suspicious for NMOSD Testing for aquaporin 4 antibodies was undertaken in all suspected cases From this group, cases were identified who fulfilled the 2015 Wingerchuk diagnostic criteria for NMOSD A capture-recapture methodology was used to estimate incidence and prevalence, based on additional laboratory identified cases RESULTS: NMOSD was confirmed in 81/170 (48%) cases referred Capture-recapture analysis gave an adjusted incidence estimate of 037 (95% CI 035 to 039) per million per year and a prevalence estimate for NMOSD of 070 (95% CI 061 to 078) per 100 000 NMOSD was three times more common in the Asian population (157 (95% CI 115 to 198) per 100 000) compared with the remainder of the population (057 (95% CI 050 to 065) per 100 000) The latitudinal gradient evident in multiple sclerosis was not seen in NMOSD CONCLUSIONS: NMOSD incidence and prevalence in Australia and New Zealand are comparable with figures from other populations of largely European ancestry We found NMOSD to be more common in the population with Asian ancestry

102 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Despite clear therapeutic relevance, mechanisms of NR1‐IgG production and the contribution of germinal center B cells to NR1 `G’ levels are unknown.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody encephalitis is mediated by immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies directed against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAR Around 20% of patients have an underlying ovarian teratoma, and the condition responds to early immunotherapies and ovarian teratoma removal However, despite clear therapeutic relevance, mechanisms of NR1-IgG production and the contribution of germinal center B cells to NR1-IgG levels are unknown METHODS Clinical data and longitudinal paired serum NR1-reactive IgM and IgG levels from 10 patients with NMDAR-antibody encephalitis were determined Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these 10 patients, and two available ovarian teratomas, were stimulated with combinations of immune factors and tested for secretion of total IgG and NR1-specific antibodies RESULTS In addition to disease-defining NR1-IgG, serum NR1-IgM was found in 6 of 10 patients NR1-IgM levels were typically highest around disease onset and detected for several months into the disease course Moreover, circulating patient B cells were differentiated into CD19+ CD27++ CD38++ antibody-secreting cells in vitro and, from 90% of patients, secreted NR1-IgM and NR1-IgG Secreted levels of NR1-IgG correlated with serum NR1-IgG (p < 00001), and this was observed across the varying disease durations, suggestive of an ongoing process Furthermore, ovarian teratoma tissue contained infiltrating lymphocytes which produced NR1-IgG in culture INTERPRETATION Serum NR1-IgM and NR1-IgG, alongside the consistent production of NR1-IgG from circulating B cells and from ovarian teratomas suggest that ongoing germinal center reactions may account for the peripheral cell populations which secrete NR1-IgG Cells participating in germinal center reactions might be a therapeutic target for the treatment of NMDAR-antibody encephalitis Ann Neurol 2018;83:553-561

83 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Apr 2018-Brain
TL;DR: Wilson et al. show that circulating memory and naïve B cells from patients can differentiate to produce aquaporin-4 antibodies under conditions chosen to mimic aspects of NMOSD.
Abstract: Autoantibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are pathogenic in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, it is not known which B cells are the major contributors to circulating AQP4 antibodies nor which conditions promote their generation. Our experiments showed CD19+CD27++CD38++ circulating ex vivo antibody-secreting cells did not produce AQP4 antibodies under several culture conditions. To question whether other cells in circulation were capable of AQP4 antibody production, B cells were differentiated into antibody-secreting cells in vitro. Unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated from 12 patients with NMOSD and a wide range of serum AQP4 antibody levels (91-26 610 units), were cultured with factors that mimicked established associations of NMOSD including T cell help, concurrent infections and cytokines reported to be elevated in NMOSD. Overall, the in vitro generation of CD19+CD27++CD38++ cells across several culture conditions correlated closely with the total IgG secreted (P < 0.0001, r = 0.71), but not the amount of AQP4 antibody. AQP4 antibody production was enhanced by CD40-ligand (P = 0.005), and by interleukin-2 plus toll-like receptor stimulation versus interleukin-21-predominant conditions (P < 0.0001), and did not require antigen. Across NMOSD patients, this in vitro generation of AQP4 antibodies correlated well with serum AQP4 antibody levels (P = 0.0023, r = 0.81). To understand how early within B cell lineages this AQP4 specificity was generated, purified B cell subsets were activated under these optimized conditions. Naive pre-germinal centre B cells (CD19+CD27-IgD+) differentiated to secrete AQP4 antibodies as frequently as post-germinal centre cells (CD19+CD27+). Taken together, these human cell-culture experiments demonstrate that preformed B cells, rather than ex vivo circulating antibody-secreting cells, possess AQP4 reactivity. Their differentiation and AQP4 antibody secretion is preferentially driven by select cytokines and these cells may make the dominant contribution to serum AQP4 antibodies. Furthermore, as AQP4-specific B cells can derive from likely autoreactive naive populations an early, pre-germinal centre loss of immunological tolerance appears present in some patients with NMOSD. This study has implications for understanding mechanisms of disease perpetuation and for rational choice of immunotherapies in NMOSD. Furthermore, the in vitro model presents an opportunity to apply condition-specific approaches to patients with NMOSD and may be a paradigm to study other antibody-mediated diseases.awy010media15732448284001.

71 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A contemporary overview of the aetiology, investigations and treatment of the most recently described autoimmune encephalitides is provided.
Abstract: Over the past decade, the clinical spectrum of autoimmune encephalitis has expanded with the emergence of several new clinicopathological entities. In particular, autoimmune encephalitis has recently been described in association with antibodies to surface receptors and ion channels on neurological tissues. Greater clinician awareness has resulted in autoimmune encephalitis being increasingly recognised in patients with unexplained neurological and psychiatric symptoms and signs. The clinical spectrum of presentations, as well as our understanding of disease mechanisms and treatment regimens, is rapidly developing. An understanding of these conditions is important to all subspecialties of Internal Medicine, including neurology and clinical immunology, psychiatry, intensive care and rehabilitation medicine. This review provides a contemporary overview of the aetiology, investigations and treatment of the most recently described autoimmune encephalitides.

52 citations


Cited by
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01 Dec 2003
TL;DR: In this article, mental health issues often co-occur with other problems such as substance abuse, and they can take an enormous toll on individuals and impact a college or university in many ways.
Abstract: Mental health issues often co-occur with other problems such as substance abuse, and they can take an enormous toll on individuals and impact a college or university in many ways. There are staff and departments both onand off-campus who are concerned about the well-being of students and the impact of mental health issues, so partnerships around mental health promotion and suicide prevention make good sense.

983 citations

DOI
15 Jun 1977
TL;DR: In 1915 some Japanese Investigators associated a slender coiled oigan with a severe febrile attack, usually accompanied by jaundice, that occurred in both cPiclemic and sporadic form in Japan, this 0rganism they recovered from the blood and patients during life, and from the kidneys post mortem.
Abstract: Asevere type of jaundice that appeared in epidemic form was described by Adolf W eil of " eisbaden in 1880, and from this time for some years there was a tendency to refer to all cases ? severe jaundice that appeared in epidemic !?nn as Weil's disease. In 1915 some Japanese Investigators associated a slender coiled oiganwith a severe febrile attack, usually accompanied by jaundice, that occurred in both cPiclemic and sporadic form in Japan, this 0rganism they recovered from the blood and **** ^ Patients during life, and from the livci 'n(> kidneys post mortem.

696 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the theoretical theory of the scattering of high-energy nucleons by nuclei is developed in terms of the nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitude, and the most important approximations necessary to make numerical calculation feasible are then examined.

596 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing was used to compare the community composition of the gut microbiota in patients with psoriatic arthritis and patients with skin psoriasis.
Abstract: Objective To characterize the diversity and taxonomic relative abundance of the gut microbiota in patients with never-treated, recent-onset psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods High-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing was utilized to compare the community composition of gut microbiota in patients with PsA (n = 16), patients with psoriasis of the skin (n = 15), and healthy, matched control subjects (n = 17). Samples were further assessed for the presence and levels of fecal and serum secretory IgA (sIgA), proinflammatory proteins, and fatty acids. Results The gut microbiota observed in patients with PsA and patients with skin psoriasis was less diverse when compared to that in healthy controls. This could be attributed to the reduced presence of several taxa. Samples from both patient groups showed a relative decrease in abundance of Coprococcus species, while samples from PsA patients were also characterized by a significant reduction in Akkermansia, Ruminococcus, and Pseudobutyrivibrio. Supernatants of fecal samples from PsA patients revealed an increase in sIgA levels and decrease in RANKL levels. Analysis of fatty acids revealed low fecal quantities of hexanoate and heptanoate in both patients with PsA and patients with psoriasis. Conclusion Patients with PsA and patients with skin psoriasis had a lower relative abundance of multiple intestinal bacteria. Although some genera were concomitantly decreased in both conditions, PsA samples had a lower abundance of reportedly beneficial taxa. This gut microbiota profile in PsA was similar to that previously described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and was associated with changes in specific inflammatory proteins unique to this group, and distinct from that in patients with skin psoriasis and healthy controls. Thus, the role of the gut microbiome in the continuum of psoriasis–PsA pathogenesis and the associated immune response merits further study.

433 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to investigate whether altered composition of human intestinal microbiota in RA patients contributes to the development of arthritis.
Abstract: Objective The intestinal microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Altered microbiota composition has been demonstrated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it remains unclear how dysbiosis contributes to the development of arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether altered composition of human intestinal microbiota in RA patients contributes to the development of arthritis. Methods We analyzed the fecal microbiota of patients with early RA and healthy controls, using 16S ribosomal RNA−based deep sequencing. We inoculated fecal samples from RA patients and healthy controls into germ-free arthritis-prone SKG mice and evaluated the immune responses. We also analyzed whether the lymphocytes of SKG mice harboring microbiota from RA patients react with the arthritis-related autoantigen 60S ribosomal protein L23a (RPL23A). Results A subpopulation of patients with early RA harbored intestinal microbiota dominated by Prevotella copri; SKG mice harboring microbiota from RA patients had an increased number of intestinal Th17 cells and developed severe arthritis when treated with zymosan. Lymphocytes in regional lymph nodes and the colon, but not the spleen, of these mice showed enhanced interleukin-17 (IL-17) responses to RPL23A. Naive SKG mouse T cells cocultured with P copri−stimulated dendritic cells produced IL-17 in response to RPL23A and rapidly induced arthritis. Conclusion We demonstrated that dysbiosis increases sensitivity to arthritis via activation of autoreactive T cells in the intestine. Autoreactive SKG mouse T cells are activated by dysbiotic microbiota in the intestine, causing joint inflammation. Dysbiosis is an environmental factor that triggers arthritis development in genetically susceptible mice.

428 citations