Dr Emma Chambers
Senior Lecturer in Immunology
Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Ageing, Senescence, Lung, Asthma, Immunology, In vitro models, Menopause, Skin
Interests
My lab's focus is on life-course immunology and understanding how age and sex influence immune function in the blood but also importantly in the tissue. The focus of the lab are the skin and the lung and we utlise 3D in vitro models to dissect the role of aged stromal and immune cells on tissue integrity and inflammatory outcome.Currently, I have PhD students working on 3D in vitro skin models to understand how age and sex influence skin phenotype and immune cell function (inflammation and migration), using recently published microfluidic model (Hindle et al Advanced Science 2025). I also have PhD students working on the alveolar EMULATE organ-on-a-chip models tend to understand asthma pathology and also to understand how aged cells influence lung integrity and inflammation.
It is important to consider aged cells in these models as currently used in vitro models don't recapitulate older tissue.
Publications
2026
Epoxy-oxylipins direct monocyte fate in inflammatory resolution in humansNature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 17 (1)
16-01-2026
2025
Age‐Associated Inflammatory Monocytes Are Increased in Menopausal Females and Reversed by Hormone Replacement TherapyDe Maeyer RPH, Sikora J, Bracken OV, Shih B, Lloyd AF, Peckham H, Hollett K, Abdelhamid K et al.
Aging Cell, Wiley vol. 24 (11)
09-10-2025
Estrogen influences class-switched memory B cell frequency only in humans with two X chromosomesPeckham H, Radziszewska A, Sikora J, de Gruijter NM, Restuadi R, Kartawinata M, Martin-Gutierrez L, Robinson GA et al.
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Rockefeller University Press vol. 222 (4)
06-03-2025
Replicating Dynamic Immune Responses at Single‐Cell Resolution within a Microfluidic Human Skin EquivalentHindle SA, Brook HB, Chrysanthou A, Chambers ES, Caley MP, Connelly JT
Advanced Science, Wiley vol. 12 (10)
21-01-2025
Immunotherapeutic targeting of aging‐associated isoDGR motif in chronic lung inflammationKalailingam P, Ngan SC, Iyappan R, Nehchiri A, Mohd‐Kahliab K, Lee BST, Sharma B, Machan R et al.
Aging Cell, Wiley vol. 24 (4)
05-01-2025
Metabolic dysfunction over a life course key to healthy ageing inequalityLittlewood K, Gegic J, Hickman M, Henson RCJ, Bishop JR, Kershaw T, Diamond P, Slabaugh G et al.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, Springer Nature vol. 37 (1)
01-01-2025
2024
Multiple outcomes of the germline p16INK4a mutation affecting senescence and immunity in human skinSubramanian P, Sayegh S, Laphanuwat P, Devine OP, Fantecelle CH, Sikora J, Chambers ES, Karagiannis SN et al.
Aging Cell, Wiley vol. 24 (2)
17-10-2024
Influence of individuals’ determinants including vaccine type on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinationChambers ES, Cai W, Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Perdek N, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM et al.
Npj Vaccines, Springer Nature vol. 9 (1)
22-05-2024
Vitamin D3 inhibits p38 MAPK and senescence‐associated inflammatory mediator secretion by senescent fibroblasts that impacts immune responses during ageingSayegh S, Fantecelle CH, Laphanuwat P, Subramanian P, Rustin MHA, Gomes DCO, Akbar AN, Chambers ES
Aging Cell, Wiley vol. 23 (4)
29-01-2024
Immunogenicity of biologics used in the treatment of asthmaNeunie OAM, Rabbani W, Baker D, Chambers ES, Pfeffer PE, Kang AS
Human Antibodies, Sage Publications vol. 32 (3), 121-128.
01-01-2024
2022
Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Influence SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Efficacy or Immunogenicity: Sub-Studies Nested within the CORONAVIT Randomised Controlled TrialJolliffe DA, Vivaldi G, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM, Pade C et al.
Nutrients, Mdpi vol. 14 (18)
16-09-2022
Correlation Between Postvaccination Anti-Spike Antibody Titers and Protection Against Breakthrough Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: A Population-Based Longitudinal StudyVivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Faustini S, Shields AM, Holt H, Perdek N, Talaei M, Tydeman F et al.
Journal of Infectious Diseases, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 226 (11), 1903-1908.
30-07-2022
2021
Cellular senescence as a possible link between prostate diseases of the ageing maleFiard G, Stavrinides V, Chambers ES, Heavey S, Freeman A, Ball R, Akbar AN, Emberton M
Nature Reviews Urology, Springer Nature vol. 18 (10), 597-610.
22-07-2021
Exploring the Evidence for an Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Juvenile and Adult Rheumatic DiseaseZou J, Thornton C, Chambers ES, Rosser EC, Ciurtin C
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 11
18-02-2021
Recruitment of inflammatory monocytes by senescent fibroblasts inhibits antigen-specific tissue immunity during human agingChambers ES, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Shih BB, Trahair H, Subramanian P, Devine OP, Glanville J, Gilroy D et al.
Nature Aging, Springer Nature vol. 1 (1), 101-113.
01-01-2021
2020
The impact of ageing on monocytes and macrophagesDe Maeyer RPH, Chambers ES
Immunology Letters, Elsevier vol. 230, 1-10.
10-12-2020
Vitamin D3 replacement enhances antigen-specific immunity in older adultsChambers ES, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Turner CT, Shih BB, Trahair H, Pollara G, Tsaliki E, Rustin M et al.
Immunotherapy Advances, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 1 (1)
25-11-2020
Can blocking inflammation enhance immunity during aging?Chambers ES, Akbar AN
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology vol. 145 (5), 1323-1331.
01-05-2020
Sestrins induce natural killer function in senescent-like CD8+ T cellsPereira BI, De Maeyer RPH, Covre LP, Nehar-Belaid D, Lanna A, Ward S, Marches R, Chambers ES et al.
Nature Immunology, Springer Nature vol. 21 (6), 684-694.
30-03-2020
2019
Skin barrier immunity and ageingChambers ES, Vukmanovic‐Stejic M
Immunology, Wiley vol. 160 (2), 116-125.
04-12-2019
Senescent cells evade immune clearance via HLA-E-mediated NK and CD8+ T cell inhibitionPereira BI, Devine OP, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Chambers ES, Subramanian P, Patel N, Virasami A, Sebire NJ et al.
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 10 (1)
03-06-2019
Circulating Senescent T Cells Are Linked to Systemic Inflammation and Lesion Size During Human Cutaneous LeishmaniasisCovre LP, Martins RF, Devine OP, Chambers ES, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Silva JA, Dietze R, Rodrigues RR et al.
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 9
04-01-2019
2018
Impact of Zostavax Vaccination on T-Cell Accumulation and Cutaneous Gene Expression in the Skin of Older Humans After Varicella Zoster Virus Antigen-Specific Challenge.Patel NP, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Suarez-Farinas M, Chambers ES, Sandhu D, Fuentes-Duculan J, Mabbott NA, Rustin MHA et al.
J Infect Dis vol. 218 (suppl_2), S88-S98.
22-09-2018
2017
Dendritic cell phenotype in severe asthma reflects clinical responsiveness to glucocorticoidsChambers ES, Nanzer AM, Pfeffer PE, Richards DF, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ, Hawrylowicz CM
Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Wiley vol. 48 (1), 13-22.
18-12-2017
Enhancement of cutaneous immunity during aging by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase–induced inflammationVukmanovic-Stejic M, Chambers ES, Suárez-Fariñas M, Sandhu D, Fuentes-Duculan J, Patel N, Agius E, Lacy KE et al.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Elsevier vol. 142 (3), 844-856.
17-11-2017
Human CD8+ EMRA T cells display a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype regulated by p38 MAPKCallender LA, Carroll EC, Beal RWJ, Chambers ES, Nourshargh S, Akbar AN, Henson SM
Aging Cell, Wiley vol. 17 (1)
12-10-2017
2016
Inflammatory response to saline in the skin of older individuals is driven in part by macrophagesChambers ES, Devine O, Patel N, Mabbot N, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Akbar AN
01-01-2016
2015
1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 acts via transforming growth factor‐β to up‐regulate expression of immunosuppressive CD73 on human CD4+ Foxp3– T cellsMann EH, Chambers ES, Chen Y-H, Richards DF, Hawrylowicz CM
Immunology, Wiley vol. 146 (3), 423-431.
13-09-2015
Distinct endotypes of steroid-resistant asthma characterized by IL-17Ahigh and IFN-γhigh immunophenotypes: Potential benefits of calcitriolChambers ES, Nanzer AM, Pfeffer PE, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ et al.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Elsevier vol. 136 (3), 628-637.e4.
13-03-2015
2014
Vitamin D Influences Asthmatic Pathology through Its Action on Diverse Immunological PathwaysPfeffer PE, Mann EH, Hornsby E, Chambers ES, Chen Y-H, Rice L, Hawrylowicz CM
Annals of The American Thoracic Society, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 11 (Supplement 5), s314-s321.
01-12-2014
1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in combination with transforming growth factor‐β increases the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells through preferential expansion and usage of interleukin‐2Chambers ES, Suwannasaen D, Mann EH, Urry Z, Richards DF, Lertmemongkolchai G, Hawrylowicz CM
Immunology, Wiley vol. 143 (1), 52-60.
29-07-2014
Immunoregulatory mechanisms of vitamin D relevant to respiratory health and asthmaMann EH, Chambers ES, Pfeffer PE, Hawrylowicz CM
Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences, Wiley vol. 1317 (1), 57-69.
16-04-2014
The effects of calcitriol treatment in glucocorticoid-resistant asthmaNanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Colligan G, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
01-01-2014
The effects of calcitriol treatment in glucocorticoid-resistant asthmaNanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Colligan G, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology vol. 133 (6), 1755-17e4.
01-01-2014
Corticosteroids enhance potentially pathogenic IL-17A+CD4+T cellsMann EH, Chambers ES, Nanzer AM, Richards DF, Hawrylowicz CM
01-01-2014
2013
Defective IL-10 expression and in vitro steroid-induced IL-17A in paediatric severe therapy-resistant asthmaGupta A, Dimeloe S, Richards DF, Chambers ES, Black C, Urry Z, Ryanna K, Xystrakis E et al.
Thorax, Bmj vol. 69 (6)
17-12-2013
Enhanced production of IL-17A in patients with severe asthma is inhibited by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a glucocorticoid-independent fashion.Nanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Richards DF, Black C, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ et al.
J Allergy Clin Immunol vol. 132 (2), 297-304.e3.
01-08-2013
A ROLE FOR ACTIVE VITAMIN D IN STEROID RESISTANT ASTHMA PATIENTS WHO HAVE ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF IL-17A AND REDUCED IL-10Nanzer AM, Chambers ES, Richards DF, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan C, Hawrylowicz CM
01-01-2013
2012
The role of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and cytokines in the promotion of distinct Foxp3+and IL‐10+ CD4+ T cellsUrry Z, Chambers ES, Xystrakis E, Dimeloe S, Richards DF, Gabryšová L, Christensen J, Gupta A et al.
European Journal of Immunology, Wiley vol. 42 (10), 2697-2708.
20-08-2012
Serum 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels correlate with CD4+Foxp3+ T-cell numbers in moderate/severe asthmaChambers ES, Nanzer AM, Richards DF, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ et al.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology vol. 130 (2), 542-544.
01-01-2012
2011
Steroid refractory asthma patients express lower levels of the immunomodulatory transcription factor FoxP3 and have lower levels of serum vitamin DNanzer AM, Chambers ES, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Corrigan CJ, Griffiths CJ, Hawrylowicz CM
01-01-2011
Differential production of IL-17 expression in peripheral blood cultures of steroid refractory versus steroid sensitive asthmaticsNanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Richards DF, Freeman A, Martineau AR, Xystrakis E, Corrigan CJ et al.
01-01-2011
Serum 25(OH)D levels can predict Foxp3+treg frequency and steroid responsiveness in severe asthmaticsChambers ES, Nanzer AM, Richards DF, Freeman A, Ryanna K, Griffiths C, Corrigan CJ, Hawrylowicz CM
01-01-2011
2010
The Impact of Vitamin D on Regulatory T CellsChambers ES, Hawrylowicz CM
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, Springer Nature vol. 11 (1), 29-36.
23-11-2010
The frequency of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells is lower in the peripheral blood of steroid-refractory than steroid-sensitive asthmaticsChambers ES, Nanzer A, Richards DF, Freeman A, Ryanna K, Dimeloe SK, Griffiths C, Corrigan C et al.
01-01-2010
Replicating dynamic immune responses at single-cell resolution within a microfluidic human skin equivalentHindle SA, Brook HB, Chrysanthou A, Chambers ES, Caley MP, Connelly JT
In Biorxiv
Monocyte-derived Prostaglandin E2 inhibits antigen-specific cutaneous immunity during ageingChambers ES, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Shih BB, Trahair H, Subramanian P, Devine OP, Glanville J, Gilroy D et al.
In Biorxiv
Age-associated inflammatory monocytes are increased in menopausal females and reversed by Hormone Replacement TherapyDe Maeyer R, Sikora J, Bracken O, Shih B, Lloyd A, Peckham H, Hollett K, Abdelhamid K et al.
In Biorxiv
Influence of vitamin D supplementation on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy and immunogenicityJolliffe DA, Vivaldi G, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM, Pade C et al.
In Medrxiv
Correlation between post-vaccination titres of combined IgG, IgA, and IgM anti-Spike antibodies and protection against breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection: a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK)Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Faustini S, Holt H, Perdek N, Talaei M, Tydeman F, Chambers ES et al.
In Medrxiv
Age-linked lung pathology is reduced by immunotherapeutic targeting of isoDGR protein damageKalailingam P, Mohd-Kahliab K-H, Ngan SC, Iyappan R, Lee BST, Sharma B, Machan R, Bo ST et al.
In Biorxiv
Influence of age, sex, body habitus, vaccine type and anti-S serostatus on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinationChambers ES, Cai W, Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Perdek N, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM et al.
In Medrxiv
Grants
Dissecting The Role Of Inflammatory pathways In Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) PathologyEmma Chambers, Emanuel Rognoni and Matthew Caley
£139,912 DEBRA UK
01-04-2024 - 31-03-2028
Investigating the impact of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on Immunosenescence During the MenopauseEmma Chambers
£74,878 Barts and the London Charity
01-09-2024 - 01-12-2025
The effect of age on monocyte phenotype and functionEmma Chambers
£47,230 Dunhill Medical Trust, The
01-04-2022 - 01-09-2023