John T. Reid Trusts Laboratory

Q: Cytokine antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common human inflammatory disease that targets synovial joints, causing chronic joint pain and leading to joint damage and progressive disability. The cause of RA remains unclear, although activation of innate and adaptive immune systems and increased production of cytokines are prominent features of RA. We aim to understand the biology of key effector cells and dysregulation of cytokine production and cytokine signalling in RA, in order to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers to more effectively treat RA. We have established a wide range of experimental systems to study RA, employing WEHI's advanced technologies. In conjunction with the Centre for Biologic Therapies, we are developing several therapeutic antibodies to new targets.

Q: Kawasaki disease and temporal arteritis

Kawasaki Disease (KD) causes cardiac vasculitis in children. Temporal arteritis (also called giant cell arteritis, GCA) is a similar condition in older adults. We have established an experimental model of KD and have been determining which cells and cytokines are the most suitable candidates for therapeutic intervention. We showed that GM-CSF is a critical cytokine in KD. Based on this and other research, an anti-GM-CSF receptor antibody has undergone clinical trials in GCA. We have also recently identified the mTOR pathway and its inhibitor rapamycin as another important pathway in KD.

Q: Molecular pathology of myositis

Myositis comprises a spectrum of poorly understood inflammatory diseases involving muscles. This is a new area of research for the Lab, employing in vitro and in vivo experimental models and advanced technologies, including spatial transcriptomics applied to human muscle biopsies.

Q: Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)

Rhesus D incompatability between mother and baby is a well recognised cause of HDN. remarkably, it can be largely prevented by administration of pooled anti-RhD immunoglobulins during pregnancy, derived from blood donors. As part of our Lab's interests in therapeutic antibodies, we are collaborating with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to fully characterise these naturally occurring anti-RhD antibodies.

About the lab

My lab research is focused on molecular analysis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We use murine and human experimental systems and apply ‘omics’ technologies in order to improve understanding of disease pathogenesis, find better biomarkers and develop targeted therapeutics.

Our primary focus has been on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but we’ve found that experimental systems and techniques used to study RA are relevant to many other inflammatory diseases, and we now have active research programs in vasculitis, myositis and lupus. We also have a strong interest in developing therapeutic antibodies and several of these have gone into clinical trials. In addition to engineered antibodies, we have formed a collaboration with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to study the naturally occurring human antibody repertoire in hemolytic disease of the newborn.

A major research theme of my lab is to investigate how the cytokines G-CSF and GM-CSF promote inflammatory diseases. This has led to collaborations with the biotechnology sector (CSL, MedImmune and Kiniksa) and the development of antibody-based therapies to the G- and GM-CSF receptors that are currently in clinical trials.

Our mission

To improve the understanding and treatment of human inflammatory diseases.

Impact

Our work on how growth factors for blood cells can also fuel inflammation and disease has led to new monoclonal antibody treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis and lupus.

Lab research projects

Cytokine antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis

Kawasaki disease and temporal arteritis

Molecular pathology of myositis

Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)

Lab team

We have a relatively small lab, but collaborate widely across WEHI, and with colleagues internationally. We also collaborate closely with CSL around new therapeutic antibodies and with expert clinicians in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.

Professor Wicks is a clinician-scientist, and works as a Rheumatologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He is also Joint Head of Clinical Discovery and Translation at WEHI, so his laboratory is very well placed for translational research.

6 members

Prof Ian Wicks

Lab head