Dr Emma Chambers

Emma Chambers

Lecturer

Centre for Immunobiology, Blizard Institute
Queen Mary University of London
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Research

Ageing, Senescence, Lung, Asthma, Immunology, Immunosenescence

Infectious Disease and Inflammation Models, Skin Models

Interests

I have an interest in the ageing lung in health and disease (asthma). Current organ-on-a-chip models tend to use younger cells to generate the model - meaning the current models don't recapitulate older tissue. Therefore, the aim of my lab is to generate old and young lung organ-on-a-chip models to assess the impact of aged lungs on immunity to infection. We are using the QMUL+EMULATE Centre to generate senescent (Old) and non-senescent (young) alveolar lung chips to investigate the impact of senescence on immune cell phenotype and function. Using this exciting technology I will be able to dissect if the increase in senescent cells seen with age in the lung, is responsible for impaired anti-pathogen immunity observed in older adults and their increased susceptibility to viral (such as SARs-CoV-2 and Influenza) and bacterial (such a pneumonia) lung disease. Long terms aim of this work is to transfer this technique to other tissue-on-chip situations to assess the impact of senescence across the body in health and disease.

Publications

Publications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2024

Sayegh S, Fantecelle CH, Laphanuwat P, Subramanian P, Rustin MHA, Gomes DCO, Akbar AN and Chambers ES (2024). Vitamin D3 inhibits p38 MAPK and senescence‐associated inflammatory mediator secretion by senescent fibroblasts that impacts immune responses during ageing. Wiley  Aging Cell  10.1111/acel.14093

2022

Jolliffe DA, Vivaldi G, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Faustini SE, Gibbons JM, Pade C, Coussens AK, Richter AG, McKnight Á and Martineau AR (2022). Vitamin D Supplementation Does Not Influence SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Efficacy or Immunogenicity: Sub-Studies Nested within the CORONAVIT Randomised Controlled Trial. Mdpi  Nutrients  vol. 14, (18) 10.3390/nu14183821
Vivaldi G, Jolliffe DA, Faustini S, Shields AM, Holt H, Perdek N, Talaei M, Tydeman F, Chambers ES, Cai W, Li W, Gibbons JM, Pade C, McKnight Á, Shaheen SO, Richter AG and Martineau AR (2022). Correlation Between Postvaccination Anti-Spike Antibody Titers and Protection Against Breakthrough Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. Oxford University Press (Oup)  The Journal of Infectious Diseases  vol. 226, (11) 1903-1908. 10.1093/infdis/jiac321

2021

Fiard G, Stavrinides V, Chambers ES, Heavey S, Freeman A, Ball R, Akbar AN and Emberton M (2021). Cellular senescence as a possible link between prostate diseases of the ageing male. Springer Nature  Nature Reviews Urology  vol. 18, (10) 597-610. 10.1038/s41585-021-00496-8
Zou J, Thornton C, Chambers ES, Rosser EC and Ciurtin C (2021). Exploring the Evidence for an Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Juvenile and Adult Rheumatic Disease. Frontiers  Frontiers in Immunology  vol. 11, 10.3389/fimmu.2020.616483
Chambers E, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Shih B, Subramanian P, Devine OP, Glanville J, Gilroy D, Rustin M, Freeman TC, Mabbott N and Akbar AN (2021). Recruitment of inflammatory monocytes by senescent fibroblasts inhibits antigen-specific tissue immunity during human aging. Nature Aging  101-113. 10.1038/s43587-020-00010-6

2020

Chambers E (2020). The impact of ageing on monocytes and macrophages. Elsevier  Immunology Letters  10.1016/j.imlet.2020.12.003
Chambers E, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Turner C, Shih B, Trahair H, Pollara G, Tsaliki E, Rustin M, Freeman T, Mabbott N, Noursadeghi M, Martineau A and Akbar A (2020). Vitamin D3 replacement enhances antigen-specific immunity in older adults. Immunotherapy Advances  1-1. 10.1093/immadv/ltaa008
Chambers ES and Akbar AN (2020). Reply. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 146, (4) 922-923. 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.06.020
Chambers ES and Akbar AN (2020). Can blocking inflammation enhance immunity during aging? Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 145, (5) 1323-1331. 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.03.016
Pereira B, De Maeyer R, Covre L, Nehar-Belaid D, Lanna A, Ward S, Marches R, Chambers E, Gomes D, Riddell N, Maini M, Teixeira V, Janes S, Gilroy D, Larbi A, Mabbott N, Ucar D, Kuchel G, Henson S, Strid J, Lee J, Banchereau J and Akbar A (2020). Sestrins induce natural killer function in 1 senescent-like CD8+ T cells. Nature Immunology  10.1038/s41590-020-0643-3

2019

Chambers ES and Vukmanovic‐Stejic M (2019). Skin barrier immunity and ageing. Wiley  Immunology  vol. 160, (2) 116-125. 10.1111/imm.13152
Pereira BI, Devine OP, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Chambers ES, Subramanian P, Patel N, Virasami A, Sebire NJ, Kinsler V, Valdovinos A, LeSaux CJ, Passos JF, Antoniou A, Rustin MHA, Campisi J and Akbar AN (2019). Senescent cells evade immune clearance via HLA-E-mediated NK and CD8+ T cell inhibition. Springer Nature  Nature Communications  vol. 10, (1) 10.1038/s41467-019-10335-5
Covre LP, Martins RF, Devine OP, Chambers ES, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Silva JA, Dietze R, Rodrigues RR, de Matos Guedes HL, Falqueto A, Akbar AN and Gomes DCO (2019). Circulating Senescent T Cells Are Linked to Systemic Inflammation and Lesion Size During Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Frontiers  Frontiers in Immunology  vol. 9, 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03001

2018

Patel NP, Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Suarez-Farinas M, Chambers ES, Sandhu D, Fuentes-Duculan J, Mabbott NA, Rustin MHA, Krueger J and Akbar AN (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. J Infect Dis  vol. 218, (suppl_2) S88-S98. 10.1093/infdis/jiy420

2017

Chambers ES, Nanzer AM, Pfeffer PE, Richards DF, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2017). Dendritic cell phenotype in severe asthma reflects clinical responsiveness to glucocorticoids. Wiley  Clinical & Experimental Allergy  vol. 48, (1) 13-22. 10.1111/cea.13061
Vukmanovic-Stejic M, Chambers ES, Suárez-Fariñas M, Sandhu D, Fuentes-Duculan J, Patel N, Agius E, Lacy KE, Turner CT, Larbi A, Birault V, Noursadeghi M, Mabbott NA, Rustin MHA, Krueger JG and Akbar AN (2017). Enhancement of cutaneous immunity during aging by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase–induced inflammation. Elsevier  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 142, (3) 844-856. 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.032
Callender LA, carroll EC, beal R, Chambers ES, Nourshargh S, Akbar AN and Henson SM (2017). Human CD8+ EMRA T cells display a senescent-associated secretory phenotype regulated by p38 MAPK. Wiley Open Access  Aging Cell  10.1111/acel.12675

2015

Mann EH, Chambers ES, Chen Y-H, Richards DF and Hawrylowicz CM (2015). 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 acts via transforming growth factor‐β to up‐regulate expression of immunosuppressive CD73 on human CD4+ Foxp3– T cells. Wiley  Immunology  vol. 146, (3) 423-431. 10.1111/imm.12519
Chambers ES, Nanzer AM, Pfeffer PE, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2015). Distinct endotypes of steroid-resistant asthma characterized by IL-17Ahigh and IFN-γhigh immunophenotypes: Potential benefits of calcitriol. Elsevier  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 136, (3) 628-637.e4. 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.01.026

2014

Pfeffer PE, Mann EH, Hornsby E, Chambers ES, Chen Y-H, Rice L and Hawrylowicz CM (2014). Vitamin D Influences Asthmatic Pathology through Its Action on Diverse Immunological Pathways. American Thoracic Society  Annals of The American Thoracic Society  vol. 11, (Supplement 5) s314-s321. 10.1513/annalsats.201405-204aw
Chambers ES, Suwannasaen D, Mann EH, Urry Z, Richards DF, Lertmemongkolchai G and Hawrylowicz CM (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‐2. Wiley  Immunology  vol. 143, (1) 52-60. 10.1111/imm.12289
Mann EH, Chambers ES, Pfeffer PE and Hawrylowicz CM (2014). Immunoregulatory mechanisms of vitamin D relevant to respiratory health and asthma. Wiley  Annals of The New York Academy of Sciences  vol. 1317, (1) 57-69. 10.1111/nyas.12410
Nanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Colligan G, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2014). The effects of calcitriol treatment in glucocorticoid-resistant asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  10.1016/j.jaci.2014.03.015
Nanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Colligan G, Richards DF, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2014). The effects of calcitriol treatment in glucocorticoid-resistant asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 133, (6) 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.03.015

2013

Gupta A, Dimeloe S, Richards DF, Chambers ES, Black C, Urry Z, Ryanna K, Xystrakis E, Bush A, Saglani S and Hawrylowicz CM (2013). Defective IL-10 expression and in vitro steroid-induced IL-17A in paediatric severe therapy-resistant asthma. Bmj  Thorax  vol. 69, (6) 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203421
Nanzer AM, Chambers ES, Ryanna K, Richards DF, Black C, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2013). Enhanced production of IL-17A in patients with severe asthma is inhibited by 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a glucocorticoid-independent fashion. J Allergy Clin Immunol  vol. 132, (2) 297-304.e3. 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.03.037

2012

Urry Z, Chambers ES, Xystrakis E, Dimeloe S, Richards DF, Gabryšová L, Christensen J, Gupta A, Saglani S, Bush A, O'Garra A, Brown Z and Hawrylowicz CM (2012). The role of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and cytokines in the promotion of distinct Foxp3+and IL‐10+ CD4+ T cells. Wiley  European Journal of Immunology  vol. 42, (10) 2697-2708. 10.1002/eji.201242370
Chambers ES, Nanzer AM, Richards DF, Ryanna K, Freeman AT, Timms PM, Martineau AR, Griffiths CJ, Corrigan CJ and Hawrylowicz CM (2012). Serum 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels correlate with CD4+Foxp3+ T-cell numbers in moderate/severe asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology  vol. 130, (2) 542-544. 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.04.022

2010

Chambers ES and Hawrylowicz CM (2010). The Impact of Vitamin D on Regulatory T Cells. Springer Nature  Current Allergy and Asthma Reports  vol. 11, (1) 29-36. 10.1007/s11882-010-0161-8

Grants

Grants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
Mechanisms involved in decreased cutaneous immunity during ageing: reversal by Vitamin D pre-treatment.
Chambers ES
Leo Foundation (01-06-2020 - 31-05-2023)
The Effect Of Age On Monocyte Phenotype And Function
Chambers ES
£47,230 Dunhill Medical Trust (01-05-2022 - 30-04-2023)
Bart's Charity Lectureship
Chambers ES
Bart's Charity (14-04-2020 - 13-04-2023)