Dr Neil McCarthy

Neil McCarthy
PhD

MRC Career Development Fellow; Senior Lecturer in Immunology
CPM Theme lead - Infectious Disease & Inflammation Models

Centre for Immunobiology, The Blizard Institute
Queen Mary University of London
www.qmul.ac.uk/blizard/all-staff/profiles/neil-mccarthy.html
ResearcherID ORCID X

Research

Intestine, Inflammation, Candida, Fungus, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis

Infectious Disease and Inflammation Models

Interests

The McCarthy lab studies host–pathogen interactions at mucosal surfaces, with a particular focus on γδ T-cells and their role in gut barrier protection against microbial infection and inflammation. The ultimate aim of this work is to understand how γδ T-cell function becomes dysregulated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and could potentially be restored by novel agonist / antagonist immunotherapies.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2025

Immunotherapeutic targeting of aging‐associated isoDGR motif in chronic lung inflammation
Kalailingam 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

2024

P145 Phagocyte responses to gut-derived C. albicans are modified in inflammatory bowel disease
Mathew L, Carlson S, Savage M, Pardieu C, Sze N, Munro C, Naglik J, Stagg A et al.
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 18 (Supplement_1), i441-i441.  
24-01-2024
γδ T cells respond directly and selectively to the skin commensal yeast Malassezia for IL-17-dependent fungal control
Ruchti F, Tuor M, Mathew L, McCarthy NE, LeibundGut-Landmann S
Plos Pathogens, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 20 (1) 
12-01-2024
IL-21 conditions antigen-presenting human γδ T-cells to promote IL-10 expression in naïve and memory CD4+ T-cells
Tyler CJ, Hoti I, Griffiths DD, Cuff SM, Andrews R, Keisker M, Ahmed R, Hansen HP et al.
Discovery Immunology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 3 (1) 
01-01-2024

2023

Immunotherapy targeting isoDGR‐protein damage extends lifespan in a mouse model of protein deamidation
Kalailingam P, Mohd‐Kahliab K, Ngan SC, Iyappan R, Melekh E, Lu T, Zien GW, Sharma B et al.
Embo Molecular Medicine, Springer Nature vol. 15 (12) 
16-11-2023
Mucosal Immunity to Gut Fungi in Health and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Carlson SL, Mathew L, Savage M, Kok K, Lindsay JO, Munro CA, McCarthy NE
Journal of Fungi, Mdpi vol. 9 (11) 
14-11-2023
BS83 Characterising the role of platelets in the host immune response to invasive fungal infections
Drysdale A, Crescente M, Redfern J
Basic Science. 
01-06-2023
Endothelial Damage Arising From High Salt Hypertension Is Elucidated by Vascular Bed Systematic Profiling
Vinaiphat A, Pazhanchamy K, JebaMercy G, Ngan SC, Leow MK-S, Ho HH, Gao Y-G, Lim KL et al.
Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Wolters Kluwer vol. 43 (3), 427-442.  
26-01-2023

2022

pSILAC-Based Determination of Cellular Protein Sorting into Extracellular Vesicles
Ngan S-FC, McCarthy NE, Sze SK
Methods in Molecular Biology, Springer Nature vol. 2603, 43-58.  
13-11-2022
OP37 Bacterial suppression of intestinal fungi via activation of human gut Vδ2+ T-cells
Mathew L, Savage M, Pardieu C, O’Brien M, Sze SK, Eberl M, Stagg A, Gasparetto M et al.
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 16 (Supplement_1), i043-i044.  
21-01-2022

2021

Prebiotic fructans have greater impact on luminal microbiology and CD3+ T cells in healthy siblings than patients with Crohn's disease: A pilot study investigating the potential for primary prevention of inflammatory bowel disease
Hedin CR, McCarthy NE, Louis P, Farquharson FM, McCartney S, Stagg AJ, Lindsay JO, Whelan K
Clinical Nutrition, Elsevier vol. 40 (8), 5009-5019.  
23-06-2021

2020

Patients with gastrointestinal irritability after TGN1412-induced cytokine storm displayed selective expansion of gut-homing αβ and γδT cells
McCarthy NE, Stagg AJ, Price CL, Mann ER, Gellatly NL, Al-Hassi HO, Knight SC, Panoskaltsis N
Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, Springer (Part of Springer Nature) 
13-10-2020
Microenvironmental Hypoxia Induces Dynamic Changes in Lung Cancer Synthesis and Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles
Tse SW, Tan CF, Park JE, Gnanasekaran J, Gupta N, Low JK, Yeoh KW, Chng WJ et al.
Cancers, Mdpi vol. 12 (10) 
11-10-2020
Immune reconstitution and clinical recovery following anti-CD28 antibody (TGN1412)-induced cytokine storm
Panoskaltsis N, McCarthy NE, Stagg AJ, Mummery CJ, Husni M, Arebi N, Greenstein D, Price CL et al.
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, Springer Nature vol. 70 (4), 1127-1142.  
08-10-2020
Myelopoiesis of acute inflammation: lessons from TGN1412-induced cytokine storm
Panoskaltsis N, McCarthy NE, Knight SC
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, Springer Nature vol. 70 (4), 1155-1160.  
30-08-2020
Pulsed SILAM Reveals In Vivo Dynamics of Murine Brain Protein Translation
Ng SS, Park JE, Meng W, Chen CP, Kalaria RN, McCarthy NE, Sze SK
Acs Omega, American Chemical Society (Acs) vol. 5 (23), 13528-13540.  
20-05-2020

2019

CD4 T cells in hepatitis B virus: You don't have to be cytotoxic to work here and help.
Gill US, McCarthy NE
Journal of Hepatology, Elsevier 
08-11-2019
ERO1α promotes hypoxic tumor progression and is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer
Gupta N, Park JE, Tse W, Low JK, Kon OL, McCarthy N, Sze SK
Oncotarget, Impact Journals vol. 10 (57), 5970-5982.  
15-10-2019
Effects of Low-FODMAP Diet on Symptoms, Fecal Microbiome, and Markers of Inflammation in Patients With Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Randomized Trial
Cox SR, Lindsay JO, Fromentin S, Stagg AJ, McCarthy NE, Galleron N, Ibraim SB, Roume H et al.
Gastroenterology, Elsevier 
02-10-2019
P092 Circulating classical monocytes and intestinal macrophages exhibit reduced response to IL-10 in IBD
Hoti I, McCarthy N, Giles E, Ayada I, Harrow P, Gordon H, Stagg A, Lindsay J
 
25-01-2019

2018

ADWE-09 Low fodmap diet improves functional-like gastrointestinal symptoms but reduces bifidobacteria in quiescent inflammatory bowel disease
Cox S, Stagg A, Fromentin S, Ehrlich D, McCarthy N, Galleron N, Levenez F, Lomer M et al.
Small Bowel & Nutrition. 
01-06-2018
Human γδ T-Cell Control of Mucosal Immunity and Inflammation.
McCarthy NE, Eberl M
Front Immunol, Frontiers Media S.a. vol. 9, 985-985.  
07-05-2018
902 - Low Fodmap Diet Improves Functional-Like Gastrointestinal Symptoms but Reduces Bifidobacteria and Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii in Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial and Metagenomic Analysis
Cox SR, Stagg AJ, Fromentin S, Ehrlich SD, McCarthy NE, Galleron N, Levenez F, Lomer M et al.
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 154 (6), s-177.  
01-05-2018
DOP086 Low FODMAP diet improves functional-like gastrointestinal symptoms but reduces bifidobacteria and faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Quiescent inflammatory bowel disease: a randomised controlled trial and metagenomic analysis
Cox S, Stagg A, Fromentin S, Ehrlich D, McCarthy N, Galleron N, Levenez F, Lomer M et al.
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 12 (supplement_1), s87-s87.  
16-01-2018
DOP017 Increased intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression and pathway sensitivity in Crohn’s disease
Harrow P, McCarthy N, Stagg A, Lindsay J
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 12 (supplement_1), s41-s41.  
16-01-2018
LOW FODMAP DIET IMPROVES FUNCTIONAL-LIKE GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS BUT REDUCES BIFIDOBACTERIA AND FAECALIBACTERIUM PRAUSNITZII IN QUIESCENT INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL AND METAGENOMIC ANALYSIS
Cox SR, Stagg AJ, Fromentin S, Ehrlich SD, McCarthy NE, Galleron N, Levenez F, Lomer M et al.
 
01-01-2018

2017

Antigen-presenting human γδ T-cells promote intestinal CD4+ T-cell expression of IL-22 and mucosal release of calprotectin
MCCARTHY NE, Tyler CJ, Lindsay JO, Stagg AJ, Moser B, Eberl M
Journal of Immunology, American Association of Immunologists 
22-03-2017
P059 Mucosal inflammation promotes activation of circulating Vδ2+ T-cells in Crohn's disease
McCarthy N, Gordon H, Rahman S, Harrow P, Stagg A, Lindsay J
 
26-01-2017

2016

MicroRNAs hsa-miR-99b, hsa-miR-330, hsa-miR-126 and hsa-miR-30c: Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Natural Killer (NK) Cells of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Petty RD, McCarthy NE, Le Dieu R, Kerr JR
Plos One, Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 11 (3) 
11-03-2016

2015

Azathioprine therapy selectively ablates human Vδ2+ T cells in Crohn’s disease

Journal of Clinical Investigation, American Society For Clinical Investigation vol. 125 (8), 3215-3225.  
13-07-2015
Respiratory tract dendritic cells in paediatric asthma.
Brugha R, Mushtaq N, McCarthy NE, Stagg AJ, Grigg J
Clin Exp Allergy vol. 45 (3), 624-631.  
01-03-2015

2014

Increased production of retinoic acid by intestinal macrophages contributes to their inflammatory phenotype in patients with Crohn's disease.
Sanders TJ, McCarthy NE, Giles EM, Davidson KLM, Haltalli MLR, Hazell S, Lindsay JO, Stagg AJ
Gastroenterology vol. 146 (5) 
01-05-2014
Altered intestinal microbiota and blood T cell phenotype are shared by patients with Crohn's disease and their unaffected siblings
Hedin CR, McCarthy NE, Louis P, Farquharson FM, McCartney S, Taylor K, Prescott NJ, Murrells T et al.
Gut vol. 63 (10), 1578-1586.  
01-01-2014

2013

Proinflammatory Vδ2+ T cells populate the human intestinal mucosa and enhance IFN-γ production by colonic αβ T cells.
McCarthy NE, Bashir Z, Vossenkämper A, Hedin CR, Giles EM, Bhattacharjee S, Brown SG, Sanders TJ et al.
J Immunol vol. 191 (5), 2752-2763.  
01-09-2013
260 Siblings of Patients With Crohn's Disease Have a Distinct Microbiological and Immune Phenotype Compared to Healthy Controls: Insights Into Disease Pathogenesis
Hedin C, McCarthy NE, Louis P, Farquharson F, McCartney S, Taylor K, Prescott NJ, Murrells T et al.
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 144 (5) 
01-05-2013
Siblings of Patients With Crohn's Disease Have a Distinct Microbiological and Immune Phenotype Compared to Healthy Controls: Insights Into Disease Pathogenesis
Hedin C, McCarthy NE, Louis P, Farquharson F, McCartney S, Taylor K, Prescott NJ, Murrells T et al.
 
01-01-2013

2012

Skin- and gut-homing molecules on human circulating γδ T cells and their dysregulation in inflammatory bowel disease.
Mann ER, McCarthy NE, Peake STC, Milestone AN, Al-Hassi HO, Bernardo D, Tee CT, Landy J et al.
Clin Exp Immunol vol. 170 (2), 122-130.  
01-11-2012
Human gut-specific homeostatic dendritic cells are generated from blood precursors by the gut microenvironment.
Mann ER, Bernardo D, Al-Hassi HO, English NR, Clark SK, McCarthy NE, Milestone AN, Cochrane SA et al.
Inflamm Bowel Dis vol. 18 (7), 1275-1286.  
01-07-2012
Smokers with active Crohn's disease have a clinically relevant dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal microbiota
Benjamin JL, Hedin CRH, Koutsoumpas A, Ng SC, McCarthy NE, Prescott NJ, Pessoa-Lopes P, Mathew CG et al.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases vol. 18 (6), 1092-1100.  
01-01-2012

2011

Relationship between human intestinal dendritic cells, gut microbiota, and disease activity in Crohn's disease.
Ng SC, Benjamin JL, McCarthy NE, Hedin CRH, Koutsoumpas A, Plamondon S, Price CL, Hart AL et al.
Inflamm Bowel Dis vol. 17 (10), 2027-2037.  
01-10-2011
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fructo-oligosaccharides in active Crohn's disease.
Benjamin JL, Hedin CRH, Koutsoumpas A, Ng SC, McCarthy NE, Hart AL, Kamm MA, Sanderson JD et al.
Gut vol. 60 (7), 923-929.  
01-07-2011
Expansion of Vδ2+T-Cells Occurs in Crohn's Disease Patients and Their Siblings: Impact of Therapy and Implications for Pathogenesis
Hedin CR, McCarthy NE, Bhattacharjee S, James G, Whelan K, Lindsay JO, Stagg AJ
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 140 (5), s-489.  
01-05-2011
Expansion of Vδ2+T-Cells Occurs in Crohn's Disease Patients and Their Siblings: Impact of Therapy and Implications for Pathogenesis
Hedin CR, McCarthy NE, Bhattacharjee S, James G, Whelan K, Lindsay JO, Stagg AJ
 
01-01-2011

2010

Relationship between human intestinal dendritic cells, gut microbiota, and disease activity in Crohn's disease.
Ng SC, Benjamin JL, McCarthy NE, Hedin CR, Koutsoumpas A, Plamondon S, Price CL, Hart AL et al.
 
22-12-2010
W1813 Human Dendritic Cell Migration Markers and Function Determine T-Cell Migration Patterns and Properties
Mann ER, Ordiz DB, Al-Hassi HO, McCarthy NE, Milestone AN, Cochrane SA, Hart A, Stagg AJ
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 138 (5), s-745.  
01-05-2010
Human Dendritic Cell Migration Markers and Function Determine T-Cell Migration Patterns and Properties
Mann ER, Ordiz DB, Al-Hassi HO, Clark SK, McCarthy NE, Milestone AN, Cochrane SA
 
01-01-2010

2009

S1750 Distinct Cytokine Patterns from Multiplex Profiles of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Functional Bowel Disorder and Healthy Controls
Ng SC, McCarthy NE, Plamondon S, Stagg AJ
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 136 (5), a-262.  
01-05-2009
S1700 The Role of Human γδ T-Cells in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Mann ER, McCarthy NE, Milestone AN, Cochrane SA, Stagg AJ
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 136 (5), a-252.  
01-05-2009
M1677 Imprinting of Lymphocyte Homing to Skin and Gut By Human Tissue DC
Mann ER, Al-Hassi HO, Clark SK, McCarthy NE, Hart A, Knight SC
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 136 (5), a-408.  
01-05-2009
P309 - Altered imprinting of lymphocyte homing by colonic dendritic cells in human ulcerative colitis
Ng SC, Rigby R, Hart AL, Plamondon S, Gellatly N, McCarthy NE, Kamm MA, Knight SC
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 3 (1), s132-s132.  
01-02-2009
P316 - TNF-α production and differential release of Th1/Th2 cytokines detected in colonic tissues of inflammatory bowel disease patients but not controls
Ng SC, McCarthy NE, Plamondon S, Stagg AJ
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 3 (1), s134-s135.  
01-02-2009
Imprinting of Lymphocyte Homing to Skin and Gut By Human Tissue DC
Mann ER, Al-Hassi HO, Clark SK, McCarthy NE, Cochrane SA, Knight SC
 
01-01-2009
Distinct Cytokine Patterns from Multiplex Profiles of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Functional Bowel Disorder and Healthy Controls
Ng SC, McCarthy NE, Plamondon S, Kamm MA
 
01-01-2009
The Role of Human γδ T-Cells in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Mann ER, McCarthy NE, Milestone AN, Cochrane SA, Hart A
 
01-01-2009

2008

Dendritic cells from control but not atopic donors respond to contact and respiratory sensitizer treatment in vitro with differential cytokine production and altered stimulatory capacity.
Holden NJ, Bedford PA, McCarthy NE, Marks NA, Ind PW, Jowsey IR, Basketter DA, Knight SC
Clin Exp Allergy vol. 38 (7), 1148-1159.  
01-07-2008
W1201 Production of IL-10 By Colonic Dendritic Cells Is Associated with Higher Concentrations of Faecal Microbiota in Patients with Active Crohn's Disease
Ng SC, Koutsoumpas A, Hedin CR, McCarthy NE, Plamondon S, Kamm MA, Knight SC, Forbes A et al.
Gastroenterology, Elsevier vol. 134 (4) 
01-04-2008
P302 PRODUCTION OF IL-10 BY COLONIC DENDRITIC CELLS IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS OF FAECAL MICROBIOTA IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE CROHN'S DISEASE
Ng SC, Koutsoumpas A, Hedin CRH, McCarthy N, Plamondon S, Kamm MA, Knight SC, Forbes A et al.
Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 2 (1) 
01-02-2008

2007

Inhaled allergen-driven CD1c up-regulation and enhanced antigen uptake by activated human respiratory-tract dendritic cells in atopic asthma.
McCarthy NE, Jones HA, Marks NA, Shiner RJ, Ind PW, Al-Hassi HO, English NR, Murray CM et al.
Clin Exp Allergy vol. 37 (1), 72-82.  
01-01-2007

Anti-isoDGR Antibody Inhibits Atherosclerosis Induced by Western Diet in ApoE-/- mice

In Biorxiv 
IsoDGR-Induced Endothelial Cytoskeletal Disruption Drives Age-Related Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown

In Biorxiv 
Regulation of human intestinal T-cell responses by Type 1 interferon-STAT1 signalling is disrupted in inflammatory bowel disease
STAGG AJ, Giles EM, Sanders TJ, McCarthy NE, Lung J, Pathak M, MacDonald TT, Lindsay JO
Mucosal Immunology, Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option A 
Dynamics of murine brain protein synthesis in vivo identify the hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum as highly active metabolic sites

In Biorxiv 
Aging-induced isoDGR-modified fibronectin activates monocytic and endothelial cells to promote atherosclerosis

In Medrxiv 
Increased isoDGR motifs in plasma fibronectin are associated with atherosclerosis through facilitation of vascular fibrosis

In Biorxiv 
Microenvironmental Hypoxia Induces Dynamic Changes in Lung Cancer Synthesis and Secretion of Into Extracellular Vesicles
Tse SW, Tan CF, Park JE, Gnanasekaran J, Gupta N, Low JK, Yeoh KW, Chng WJ et al.
In Research Square 
ERO1α promotes hypoxic tumour progression and is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer

In Biorxiv 
Antibody targeting of aging damaged isoDGR-proteins doubles lifespan in a mouse model of chronic inflammation

In Biorxiv 
Age-linked lung pathology is reduced by immunotherapeutic targeting of isoDGR protein damage
Kalailingam P, Mohd-Kahliab K-H, Ngan SC, Iyappan R, Lee BST, Sharma B, Machan R, Bo ST et al.
In Biorxiv 
γδ T cells respond directly and selectively to the skin commensal yeast Malassezia for IL-17-dependent fungal control

In Biorxiv 

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
bullet iconEvaluating the anti-fungal activity of TCB008 cell therapy
Neil McCarthy
£20,000 TC BioPharm
01-04-2023 - 30-09-2023
bullet iconAssessing gut macrophage damage by intestinal fungi in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Neil McCarthy
£7,000 Barts and the London Charity
22-09-2022 - 21-09-2023
solid heart iconInvestigating BTN2A/3A function in inflammatory bowel disease
Neil McCarthy
£316,434 ImCheck Therapeutics SAS
02-03-2020 - 31-03-2023
bullet iconHuman tissue-resident immunity to intestinal fungi
Neil McCarthy
£153,432 Barts and the London Charity
30-09-2019 - 30-06-2023
bullet iconFungal suppression by human gut Vdelta2 T-cells in mucosal immunity and inflammation
Neil McCarthy
£556,418 Medical Research Council
02-01-2018 - 30-06-2023