Dr Nicole Hansbro

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2003
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 1998

Research

Research keywords

• allergy
• asthma
• mouse models
• virus

Research expertise

I have established a mouse model of viral infection employing a rodent specific virus, which is the only such model in Australia. The model employs infection with a natural mouse pathogen, which induces natural virus-host interactions. I have developed this model in both neonatal and adult mice and have investigated the effects of respiratory viruses on whole mammal immune responses and predisposition/exacerbation of asthma. Briefly, a non-lethal PVM infection in adult mice induces pathologic features associated with viral associated asthma, namely a neutrophilic, mild eosinophilic influx into the lungs, expansion of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airways hyper-responsiveness. Peak viral titre within the lungs occurs 6 days post infection (dpi), and precedes the peak inflammatory response which occurs 12 dpi and is characterised by CD8 T cell derived IFN-¿, neutrophils, monocytes, and mucus hyperplasia. As the inflammatory response resolves, cytokine production from polyclonally stimulated splenocytes switches from IFN-¿ to IL-13 (produced from CD4+ T cells). Interestingly, neonatal mice are not susceptible to a lethal PVM infection and are further protected from infection later in life. The immune response to re-infection is characterized by a lymphocytic and eosinophilic influx into the lungs, mucus cell hyperplasia, and a predominantly IFN-¿ response form CD8+ T cells despite the failure of the CD8+ T cells to expand upon re-infection. Recently we have also observed for the first time that angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) occurs in the neonatal model of viral infection. Angiogenesis has also been widely associated with the development of asthma.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• PRC - Priority Research Centre for Asthma & Respiratory Diseases

Group