Professor Alison Condliffe

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Professor of Respiratory Medicine

a.m.condliffe@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9519

Full contact details

Professor Alison Condliffe
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

I am a clinician scientist with an interest in respiratory infection, immune deficiency and inflammation. I studied medicine in Cambridge and London, and undertook clinical training in London and Edinburgh. My PhD was supervised by Professor Chris Haslett and Professor Edwin Chilvers in Edinburgh, and identified a key role for the phosphoinositde 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway in neutrophil priming and activation. I was awarded a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship to pursue this finding at the Inositide Laboratory at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, with Dr Phill Hawkins and Dr Len Stephens. My subsequent appointment as a University Lecturer in Cambridge in 2007 enabled a more translational research focus, in particular studying the impact of hypoxia on neutrophil function and establishing novel imaging techniques using radiolabelled neutrophils and eosinophils in man; during this time I forged clinical and research links with the Department of Immunology in Cambridge. This collaboration facilitated the identification the ‘Activated PI3-kinase Delta Syndrome’ or APDS, a novel immune deficiency syndrome characterised by severe recurrent respiratory infection, viral infections, autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation, and caused by excessive PI3K delta signalling in immune cells. I was appointed as Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Sheffield in 2015.

Research interests

Defects in innate and adaptive immunity lead to infection with a predilection for the respiratory tract, yet immune cell infiltration underpins a range of inflammatory and allergic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and asthma. To clarify the role of dysregulated immunity in these diseases, I wish to address the following questions:

  1. How does immune cell function become deranged to promote disease pathogenesis rather than host defence?
  2. Can we identify cellular defects that predispose to recurrent respiratory infections?
  3. How can we use this knowledge to further diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic interventions in diseases driven by aberrant immunity?

My current research funding encompasses the role of inappropriate neutrophil activation in COPD and ARDS, the impact of hypoxia on neutrophil function, and the role of PI3K delta in immune cell and airway biology.

Current projects:

  • How does hypoxia impact on host-pathogen interactions?
  • Contribution of hypoxic upregulation of neutrophil degranulation to airway disease and endothelial dysfunction in COPD
  • Characterisation of a mouse model of the APDS (MRC program grant; with Dr Klaus Okkenhaug, Babraham Institute, Cambridge).
  • Development of zebrafish models to characterise PI3K signalling in host-pathogen interactions (with Professor Steve Renshaw).
  • Use of novel PI3Kδ inhibitors in APDS (MRC-Industrial Collaboration Award, GSK).).
  • Identification of mutations in patients with bronchiectasis and/or recurrent infection (CTTV award with Dr David Michalovitch (GSK), Dr Paul Kelham (Wellcome Trust Sanger Centre) and Professor Andres Floto (Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)).
  • Role of PI3K signalling in airway epithelial-mediated host defence.
  • Role of hypoxia in driving antimicrobial evolution (with Professor Michael Brockhurst).
Publications

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Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

  • Long M, Keir HR, Giam YH, Howden AJM, Brenes AJ, Rollings C, Pembridge T, Delgado L, Abo-Leyah H, Hull RC , Gilmour A et al (2022) Profiling systemic inflammation and neutrophil function in hospitalized patients with COVID19: results from PREDICT-COVID19. Respiratory infections and bronchiectasis RIS download Bibtex download
  • Keir HR, Long MB, Abo Leyah H, Giam YH, Vadiveloo T, Pembridge T, Hull R, Delgado L, Band M, McLaren-Neill F , Adamson S et al (2022) A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-1 Inhibition in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: The STOP-COVID19 Trial. D17. TOP KNOWLEDGE IN COVID RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li W, Long L, Yang X, King R, Southwood M, Tong Z, Caruso P, Upton P, Salmon RM, Condliffe AM , Nourshargh S et al (2019) Endogenous Circulating BMP9 Maintains Endothelial Cell Barrier Function. CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY, Vol. 33(2) (pp 269-270) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Szkuta P, Lewis A, Renshaw S, Condliffe A & Elks P (2019) Neutrophils activated with Hif-1 alpha are protective in zebrafish tuberculosis in vivo models. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Vol. 49 (pp 67-68) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li W, Long L, Yang X, King R, Southwood M, Tong Z, Caruso P, Upton PD, Salmon RM, Condliffe AM , Nourshargh S et al (2018) S39 Endogenous circulating BMP9 maintains endothelial barrier function. Fundamental mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension RIS download Bibtex download
  • Coulter T, Chandra A, Nejentsev S, Okkenhaug K, Babar J, Bacon CM, Cant AJ & Condliffe AM (2016) Activated PI3-kinase Delta Syndrome (APDS): Genetics, Immunodeficiency, Diagnosis and Related Pathology. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 238 (pp S3-S3) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Thomas DC, Clare S, Sowerby JM, Pardo M, Juss JK, Goulding DA, Van der Weyden L, Storisteanu DML, Prakash A, Espeli M , Flint S et al (2016) Role of Eros, a novel transmembrane protein, in regulation of host defence. The Lancet, Vol. 387 (pp S12-S12) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li W, Long L, Hoenderdos K, Upton PD, Yang X, Condliffe AM, Chilvers ER & Morrell N (2016) Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 (bmp9), A Vascular Quiescence Factor, Is Regulated By Inflammation And Neutrophil Activation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, Vol. 193 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li W, Long L, Hoenderdos K, Upton PD, Yang X, Condliffe AM, Chilvers ER & Morrell NW (2015) S2 Vascular Quiescence Factor BMP9 is Regulated by Inflammation and Neutrophil Activation. Thorax, Vol. 70(Suppl 3) (pp A5.2-A5) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Coulter T, Chandra A, Bacon CM, Babar J, Curtis J, Farmer G, Steele CL, Leahy TR, Doffinger R, Baxendale H , Bernatoniene J et al (2015) Activated PI3-Kinase Delta Syndrome: Clinical, Radiological And Laboratory Features Of A Large Cohort.. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 182 (pp 22-23) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Loutsios C, Farahi N, Gillett D, Cullum I, Solanki C, Heard S, Lok L, Condliffe A, Peters A & Chilvers E (2015) SPECT/CT to quantify eosinophil migration into the lungs. JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE, Vol. 56(3) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Coulter TI, Chandra A, Leahy TR, Curtis J, Bacon CM, Babar J, Farmer G, Savic S, Burns SO, Jones AM , Gavin PJ et al (2014) The Clinical Manifestations, Management and Outcomes of Activated PI3K-Delta Syndrome (APDS) in UK and Ireland Cohort. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 34 (pp S163-S163) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Schuetz K, Grimbacher B, Haddock J, Hartmann I, Driessen G, Quinti I, Serra G, Thon V, Litzman J, Jones A , Aurora P et al (2014) A Multicentre Approach to Document Bronchial Pathology in Computed Tomography of the Chest: Data from the Chest CT in Antibody-Deficiency Group. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 34 (pp S323-S324) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Juss JK, Herre J, Condliffe AM, Simmonds R, Summers C, Amour A, Begg M, House D, Hessel EM & Chilvers ER (2014) Functional And Phenotypic Heterogeneity Of Alveolar And Circulating Neutrophil Subsets In Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ards). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, Vol. 189 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoenderdos K, Hirst RA, Porter L, Chen C, Lodge K, O’Callaghan C, Chilvers ER & Condliffe AM (2013) S115 The effects of hypoxia on neutrophil-mediated tissue damage in the lung. Thorax, Vol. 68(Suppl 3) (pp A60.1-A60) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Li W, Hoenderdos K, Salmon RM, Upton PD, Condliffe AM, Chilvers ER & Morrell NW (2013) P156 Neutrophil and redox dependent proteolysis of bone morphogenetic protein 9: potential role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Thorax, Vol. 68(Suppl 3) (pp A146.1-A146) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Farahi N, Heard S, Loutsios C, Summers C, Solanki C, Solanki K, Balan K, Ruparelia P, Peters AM, Condliffe AM , Singh N et al (2013) Use Of 111-Indium-Labelled Autologous Eosinophils To Establish The In Vivo Kinetics Of Human Eosinophils In Healthy Subjects. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE, Vol. 187 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Porter L, Cowburn AS, Farahi N, Fiddler CA, Condliffe AM & Chilvers ER (2012) S117 Effects of Hypoxia on Eosinophil Apoptosis, Efferocytosis and Sensitivity to Glucocorticosteroids. Thorax, Vol. 67(Suppl 2) (pp A57.2-A57) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoenderdos K, Porter L, Alam S, Govern NM, Fiddler C, Skepper J, Chilvers ER & Condliffe AM (2012) P255 The Effects of Hypoxia on Neutrophil Degranulation. Thorax, Vol. 67(Suppl 2) (pp A176.2-A176) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Farahi N, Condliffe AM, Singh NR, Heard S, Simmonds RP, Solanki CK, Solanki K, Balan KK, Peters AM & Chilvers ER (2011) T3 Measuring eosinophil kinetics in humanS. Thorax, Vol. 66(Suppl 4) (pp A2-A2) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Juss JK, Condliffe AM, Hawkins PT, Stephens L & Chilvers ER (2010) S148 Regulation of neutrophil apoptosis by phosphoinositide 3-kinases. Thorax, Vol. 65(Suppl 4) (pp A67-A67) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Farahi N, Uller L, Juss JK, Langton AJ, Cowburn AS, Gibson A, Foster MR, Farrow SN, Sobolewski A, Condliffe AM & Chilvers ER (2010) S34 Effects of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor R-roscovitine on eosinophil survival and clearance. Thorax, Vol. 65(Suppl 4) (pp A18-A18) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Brode S, Farahi N, Cowburn AS, Juss JK, Condliffe AM & Chilvers ER (2009) INTERLEUKIN-5 INDUCES GLUCOCORTICOID RESISTANCE IN HUMAN EOSINOPHILS. THORAX, Vol. 64 (pp A42-A42) RIS download Bibtex download
  • French J, Sharples L, Haworth C, Condliffe A, Exley A & Bilton D (2007) Lung function does not decline in an eight-year surveillance study of bronchiectasis patients attending a regional specialist centre. THORAX, Vol. 62 (pp A51-A51) RIS download Bibtex download
  • McKeon DJ, Cadwallader KA, Condliffe AM, Bilton D & Chilvers ER (2005) The function and fate of neutrophils in cystic fibrosis. THORAX, Vol. 60 (pp II93-II94) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Walmsley SR, Print C, Johnson RS, Cramer T, Condliffe AM & Chilvers ER (2004) Hypoxia inhibits neutrophil apoptosis via hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha-dependent regulation of NF kappa B. THORAX, Vol. 59(1) (pp 2-2) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Condliffe AM, Ferguson GJ, Chilvers ER, Hawkins PT & Stephens LR (2002) Diminished neutrophil responses in mice lacking the regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-hydroxykinase gamma (PI3K gamma). THORAX, Vol. 57 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cadwallader KA, Condliffe AM, Uddin M, Parmar J, Pasteur MC & Chilvers ER (2002) Neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst. European Respiratory Review, Vol. 12(86-87) (pp 332-333) RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

Teaching interests

I am committed to medical education and prior to my recent move to Sheffield was the Departmental lead for Educational Supervision. My teaching focuses on respiratory infection and host-pathogen interactions.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Scientific Advisory Board member for the Institute of Ageing and Inflammation, University of Birmingham.
  • MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship panel member.
  • External Examiner for Year 3 Medical Examinations, University of Edinburgh (2015-2019).
  • British Thoracic Society Scientific Committee member (2015–2018).
  • British Thoracic Society Lung Infection Specialist Advisory Group member (2015-2018).
  • British Lung Foundation Scientific Committee Member (2011-2017).
  • Lead for Educational Supervision, Respiratory Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital (2010-2015).
  • Program Committee Member, American Thoracic Society, Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Assembly (2007-2011).
  • Planning Committee Member, American Thoracic Society, Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Assembly (2009-2012).