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Overview
I am a Clinical Academic in Nephrology and Head of the Wales Kidney Research Unit Laboratories in Cardiff. I hold a Clinical Senior Lecturer position in the School of Medicine at Cardiff University and also hold an Honorary Consultant Nephrology post at both Cardiff and Vale Health Board and Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
My main research interests are in the field of renal fibrosis. My group aims to understand and delineate the mechanisms that can prevent and/or reverse acute and progressive kidney injury leading to improved kidney health. The extracellular matrix plays an important role in maintaining biological health in our cells and tissues and aberrant extracellular matrix regulation drives disease, particularly in the kidneys. My research has shown that Hyaluronan is an extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans, which is important in regulating stromal cell phenotype and function to influence renal health and disease. My studies focus on how this matrix component can be regulated to improve kidney recovery following injury and disease.
My parallel research areas include peritoneal dialysis research (understanding mechanisms that drive fibrosis in the peritoneum) and cardiorenal research (understanding the cellular and molecular drivers of increased cardiovascular pathology in patients with kidney disease).
I have a considerable interest in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and hold Lead teaching positions in both these areas. I was also part of the Academy of Medical Sciences SUSTAIN programme when it was first set up 2015.
Publication
2024
- Smith, T. et al. 2024. Robust rat and mouse models of bilateral renal ischemia reperfusion injury. In Vivo 38(3), pp. 1049-1057. (10.21873/invivo.13538)
- Brown, C. V. M. et al. 2024. Protective effect of ischaemic preconditioning on acute and chronic renal damage following ischaemia reperfusion injury: characterisation of fibrosis development after inflammation resolution. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 17(4), pp. 151-164. (10.62347/MFJG1164)
2023
- Cetin, E. et al. 2023. Calprotectin blockade inhibits long-term vascular pathology following peritoneal dialysis-associated bacterial infection. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13, article number: 1285193. (10.3389/fcimb.2023.1285193)
- Grigorieva, I., Woods, E. L., Steadman, R., Bowen, T. and Meran, S. 2023. Hyaluronan in kidney fibrosis. In: Passi, A. ed. Hyaluronan: Structure, Biology and Biotechnology., Vol. 14. Biology of Extracellular Matrix Springer, pp. 77-97., (10.1007/978-3-031-30300-5_5)
2021
- Woods, E. L. et al. 2021. CD147 mediates the CD44s-dependent differentiation of myofibroblasts driven by transforming growth factor-β1. Journal of Biological Chemistry 297(3), article number: 100987. (10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100987)
2020
- Midgley, A. C. et al. 2020. Hyaluronidase-2 regulates RhoA signalling, myofibroblast contractility and other key pro-fibrotic myofibroblast functions. American Journal of Pathology 190(6), pp. 1236-1255. (10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.02.012)
2018
- Huang, D. et al. 2018. Cordyceps Sinensis: anti-fibrotic and inflammatory effects of a cultured polysaccharide extract. Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre 14, pp. 2-8. (10.1016/j.bcdf.2017.07.012)
2017
- Midgley, A. C., Oltean, S., Hascall, V., Woods, E. L., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O. and Meran, S. 2017. Nuclear hyaluronidase 2 drives alternative splicing of CD44 pre-mRNA to determine profibrotic or antifibrotic cell phenotype. Science Signaling 10(506), article number: eaao1822. (10.1126/scisignal.aao1822)
2016
- Johnson, F., Phillips, D., Talabani, B., Wonnacott, A., Meran, S. and Phillips, A. 2016. The impact of acute kidney injury in diabetes mellitus. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostatis 21(6), pp. 506-511. (10.1111/nep.12649)
- Martin, J., Midgley, A., Meran, S., Woods, E., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2016. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6-mediated interactions with the inter-alpha-inhibitor heavy chain 5 facilitate TGF beta1-dependent fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation.. Journal of Biological Chemistry 291, pp. 13789-13801. (10.1074/jbc.M115.670521)
2015
- Midgley, A. C., Druggal, L., Jenkins, R., Hascall, V., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O. and Meran, S. 2015. Hyaluronan regulates bone morphogenetic protein-7-dependent prevention and reversal of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 290(18), pp. 11218-11234. (10.1074/jbc.M114.625939)
- Bowen, T., Meran, S., Williams, A., Newbury, L., Sauter, M. and Sitter, T. 2015. Regulation of synthesis and roles of hyaluronan in peritoneal dialysis. BioMed Research International 2015, article number: 427038. (10.1155/2015/427038)
2014
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Amphlett, B., Talabani, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcomes in community-acquired versus hospital-acquired AKI. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 9(6), pp. 1007-1014. (10.2215/CJN.07920713)
- Talabani, B., Zouwail, S., Pyart, R., Meran, S., Riley, S. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcome of community-acquired acute kidney injury. Nephrology 19(5), pp. 282-287. (10.1111/nep.12221)
- Yao, X. et al. 2014. Cordyceps sinensis: in vitro anti-fibrotic bioactivity of natural and cultured preparations. Food Hydrocolloids 35, pp. 444-452. (10.1016/j.foodhyd.2013.06.023)
- Meran, S., Wonnacott, A., Amphlett, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. How good are we at managing acute kidney injury in hospital?. Clinical Kidney Journal 7(2), pp. 144-150. (10.1093/ckj/sfu010)
- Phillips, L., Phillips, B., Meran, S., Russell, J., Zouwail, S., Riley, S. and Phillips, A. 2014. The long-term impact of eGFR reporting on referral patterns. European Journal of Internal Medicine 25(1), pp. 97-101. (10.1016/j.ejim.2013.08.001)
2013
- Meran, S., Martin, J., Luo, D. D., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2013. Interleukin-1β induces hyaluronan and CD44-dependent cell protrusions that facilitate fibroblast-monocyte binding. American Journal of Pathology 182(6), pp. 2223-2240. (10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.02.038)
2012
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Roberts, G. W., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2012. Applying estimated glomerular filtration rate to an ageing population: are we in danger of becoming ageist?. European Journal of Internal Medicine 23(8), pp. 705-710. (10.1016/j.ejim.2012.08.012)
2011
- Bommayya, G., Meran, S., Krupa, A., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2011. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6 controls epithelial–mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 43(12), pp. 1739-1746. (10.1016/j.biocel.2011.08.009)
- Meran, S., Luo, D. D., Simpson, R. M. L., Martin, J., Wells, A., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2011. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent proliferation via CD44 and epidermal growth factor receptor interaction. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286(20), pp. 17618-17630. (10.1074/jbc.M111.226563)
- Meran, S. and Steadman, R. 2011. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in renal fibrosis. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 92(3), pp. 158-167. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2011.00764.x)
2010
- Meran, S., Don, K., Shah, N., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2010. Impact of chronic kidney disease management in primary care. QJM 104(1), pp. 27-34. (10.1093/qjmed/hcq151)
2009
- Simpson, R. M. L., Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Bowen, T., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age-related changes in pericellular hyaluronan organization leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. American Journal of Pathology 175(5), pp. 1915-1928. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.090045)
- Webber, J. P., Jenkins, R. H., Meran, S., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2009. Modulation of TGFβ1-dependent myofibroblast differentiation by hyaluronan. American Journal of Pathology 175(1), pp. 148-160. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.080837)
- Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Hyaluronan orchestrates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent maintenance of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 284(14), pp. 9083-9092. (10.1074/jbc.M806989200)
- Simpson, R. M., Stephens, P., Thomas, D., Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age related changes in pericellular hyaluronan leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A128-A129.
2008
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Enoch, S., Martin, J., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-mediated fibroblast proliferation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 283(10), pp. 6530-6545. (10.1074/jbc.M704819200)
- Meran, S., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O., Thomas, D. W. and Stephens, P. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates TGF beta 1 mediated myofibroblastic differentiation [Abstract]. Wound Repair and Regeneration 16(2), pp. A12. (10.1111/j.1524-475X.2008.00371.x)
2007
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Martin, J., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2007. Involvement of hyaluronan in regulation of fibroblast phenotype. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 282(35), pp. 25687-25697. (10.1074/jbc.M700773200)
Articles
- Smith, T. et al. 2024. Robust rat and mouse models of bilateral renal ischemia reperfusion injury. In Vivo 38(3), pp. 1049-1057. (10.21873/invivo.13538)
- Brown, C. V. M. et al. 2024. Protective effect of ischaemic preconditioning on acute and chronic renal damage following ischaemia reperfusion injury: characterisation of fibrosis development after inflammation resolution. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 17(4), pp. 151-164. (10.62347/MFJG1164)
- Cetin, E. et al. 2023. Calprotectin blockade inhibits long-term vascular pathology following peritoneal dialysis-associated bacterial infection. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13, article number: 1285193. (10.3389/fcimb.2023.1285193)
- Woods, E. L. et al. 2021. CD147 mediates the CD44s-dependent differentiation of myofibroblasts driven by transforming growth factor-β1. Journal of Biological Chemistry 297(3), article number: 100987. (10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100987)
- Midgley, A. C. et al. 2020. Hyaluronidase-2 regulates RhoA signalling, myofibroblast contractility and other key pro-fibrotic myofibroblast functions. American Journal of Pathology 190(6), pp. 1236-1255. (10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.02.012)
- Huang, D. et al. 2018. Cordyceps Sinensis: anti-fibrotic and inflammatory effects of a cultured polysaccharide extract. Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre 14, pp. 2-8. (10.1016/j.bcdf.2017.07.012)
- Midgley, A. C., Oltean, S., Hascall, V., Woods, E. L., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O. and Meran, S. 2017. Nuclear hyaluronidase 2 drives alternative splicing of CD44 pre-mRNA to determine profibrotic or antifibrotic cell phenotype. Science Signaling 10(506), article number: eaao1822. (10.1126/scisignal.aao1822)
- Johnson, F., Phillips, D., Talabani, B., Wonnacott, A., Meran, S. and Phillips, A. 2016. The impact of acute kidney injury in diabetes mellitus. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostatis 21(6), pp. 506-511. (10.1111/nep.12649)
- Martin, J., Midgley, A., Meran, S., Woods, E., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2016. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6-mediated interactions with the inter-alpha-inhibitor heavy chain 5 facilitate TGF beta1-dependent fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation.. Journal of Biological Chemistry 291, pp. 13789-13801. (10.1074/jbc.M115.670521)
- Midgley, A. C., Druggal, L., Jenkins, R., Hascall, V., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O. and Meran, S. 2015. Hyaluronan regulates bone morphogenetic protein-7-dependent prevention and reversal of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 290(18), pp. 11218-11234. (10.1074/jbc.M114.625939)
- Bowen, T., Meran, S., Williams, A., Newbury, L., Sauter, M. and Sitter, T. 2015. Regulation of synthesis and roles of hyaluronan in peritoneal dialysis. BioMed Research International 2015, article number: 427038. (10.1155/2015/427038)
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Amphlett, B., Talabani, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcomes in community-acquired versus hospital-acquired AKI. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 9(6), pp. 1007-1014. (10.2215/CJN.07920713)
- Talabani, B., Zouwail, S., Pyart, R., Meran, S., Riley, S. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcome of community-acquired acute kidney injury. Nephrology 19(5), pp. 282-287. (10.1111/nep.12221)
- Yao, X. et al. 2014. Cordyceps sinensis: in vitro anti-fibrotic bioactivity of natural and cultured preparations. Food Hydrocolloids 35, pp. 444-452. (10.1016/j.foodhyd.2013.06.023)
- Meran, S., Wonnacott, A., Amphlett, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. How good are we at managing acute kidney injury in hospital?. Clinical Kidney Journal 7(2), pp. 144-150. (10.1093/ckj/sfu010)
- Phillips, L., Phillips, B., Meran, S., Russell, J., Zouwail, S., Riley, S. and Phillips, A. 2014. The long-term impact of eGFR reporting on referral patterns. European Journal of Internal Medicine 25(1), pp. 97-101. (10.1016/j.ejim.2013.08.001)
- Meran, S., Martin, J., Luo, D. D., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2013. Interleukin-1β induces hyaluronan and CD44-dependent cell protrusions that facilitate fibroblast-monocyte binding. American Journal of Pathology 182(6), pp. 2223-2240. (10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.02.038)
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Roberts, G. W., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2012. Applying estimated glomerular filtration rate to an ageing population: are we in danger of becoming ageist?. European Journal of Internal Medicine 23(8), pp. 705-710. (10.1016/j.ejim.2012.08.012)
- Bommayya, G., Meran, S., Krupa, A., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2011. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6 controls epithelial–mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 43(12), pp. 1739-1746. (10.1016/j.biocel.2011.08.009)
- Meran, S., Luo, D. D., Simpson, R. M. L., Martin, J., Wells, A., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2011. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent proliferation via CD44 and epidermal growth factor receptor interaction. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286(20), pp. 17618-17630. (10.1074/jbc.M111.226563)
- Meran, S. and Steadman, R. 2011. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in renal fibrosis. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 92(3), pp. 158-167. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2011.00764.x)
- Meran, S., Don, K., Shah, N., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2010. Impact of chronic kidney disease management in primary care. QJM 104(1), pp. 27-34. (10.1093/qjmed/hcq151)
- Simpson, R. M. L., Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Bowen, T., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age-related changes in pericellular hyaluronan organization leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. American Journal of Pathology 175(5), pp. 1915-1928. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.090045)
- Webber, J. P., Jenkins, R. H., Meran, S., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2009. Modulation of TGFβ1-dependent myofibroblast differentiation by hyaluronan. American Journal of Pathology 175(1), pp. 148-160. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.080837)
- Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Hyaluronan orchestrates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent maintenance of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 284(14), pp. 9083-9092. (10.1074/jbc.M806989200)
- Simpson, R. M., Stephens, P., Thomas, D., Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age related changes in pericellular hyaluronan leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A128-A129.
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Enoch, S., Martin, J., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-mediated fibroblast proliferation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 283(10), pp. 6530-6545. (10.1074/jbc.M704819200)
- Meran, S., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O., Thomas, D. W. and Stephens, P. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates TGF beta 1 mediated myofibroblastic differentiation [Abstract]. Wound Repair and Regeneration 16(2), pp. A12. (10.1111/j.1524-475X.2008.00371.x)
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Martin, J., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2007. Involvement of hyaluronan in regulation of fibroblast phenotype. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 282(35), pp. 25687-25697. (10.1074/jbc.M700773200)
Book sections
- Grigorieva, I., Woods, E. L., Steadman, R., Bowen, T. and Meran, S. 2023. Hyaluronan in kidney fibrosis. In: Passi, A. ed. Hyaluronan: Structure, Biology and Biotechnology., Vol. 14. Biology of Extracellular Matrix Springer, pp. 77-97., (10.1007/978-3-031-30300-5_5)
- Johnson, F., Phillips, D., Talabani, B., Wonnacott, A., Meran, S. and Phillips, A. 2016. The impact of acute kidney injury in diabetes mellitus. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostatis 21(6), pp. 506-511. (10.1111/nep.12649)
- Martin, J., Midgley, A., Meran, S., Woods, E., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2016. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6-mediated interactions with the inter-alpha-inhibitor heavy chain 5 facilitate TGF beta1-dependent fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation.. Journal of Biological Chemistry 291, pp. 13789-13801. (10.1074/jbc.M115.670521)
- Midgley, A. C., Druggal, L., Jenkins, R., Hascall, V., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O. and Meran, S. 2015. Hyaluronan regulates bone morphogenetic protein-7-dependent prevention and reversal of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 290(18), pp. 11218-11234. (10.1074/jbc.M114.625939)
- Bowen, T., Meran, S., Williams, A., Newbury, L., Sauter, M. and Sitter, T. 2015. Regulation of synthesis and roles of hyaluronan in peritoneal dialysis. BioMed Research International 2015, article number: 427038. (10.1155/2015/427038)
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Amphlett, B., Talabani, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcomes in community-acquired versus hospital-acquired AKI. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 9(6), pp. 1007-1014. (10.2215/CJN.07920713)
- Talabani, B., Zouwail, S., Pyart, R., Meran, S., Riley, S. and Phillips, A. 2014. Epidemiology and outcome of community-acquired acute kidney injury. Nephrology 19(5), pp. 282-287. (10.1111/nep.12221)
- Yao, X. et al. 2014. Cordyceps sinensis: in vitro anti-fibrotic bioactivity of natural and cultured preparations. Food Hydrocolloids 35, pp. 444-452. (10.1016/j.foodhyd.2013.06.023)
- Meran, S., Wonnacott, A., Amphlett, B. and Phillips, A. 2014. How good are we at managing acute kidney injury in hospital?. Clinical Kidney Journal 7(2), pp. 144-150. (10.1093/ckj/sfu010)
- Meran, S., Martin, J., Luo, D. D., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2013. Interleukin-1β induces hyaluronan and CD44-dependent cell protrusions that facilitate fibroblast-monocyte binding. American Journal of Pathology 182(6), pp. 2223-2240. (10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.02.038)
- Wonnacott, A., Meran, S., Roberts, G. W., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2012. Applying estimated glomerular filtration rate to an ageing population: are we in danger of becoming ageist?. European Journal of Internal Medicine 23(8), pp. 705-710. (10.1016/j.ejim.2012.08.012)
- Bommayya, G., Meran, S., Krupa, A., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2011. Tumour necrosis factor-stimulated gene (TSG)-6 controls epithelial–mesenchymal transition of proximal tubular epithelial cells. International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 43(12), pp. 1739-1746. (10.1016/j.biocel.2011.08.009)
- Meran, S., Luo, D. D., Simpson, R. M. L., Martin, J., Wells, A., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2011. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent proliferation via CD44 and epidermal growth factor receptor interaction. Journal of Biological Chemistry 286(20), pp. 17618-17630. (10.1074/jbc.M111.226563)
- Meran, S. and Steadman, R. 2011. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in renal fibrosis. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 92(3), pp. 158-167. (10.1111/j.1365-2613.2011.00764.x)
- Meran, S., Don, K., Shah, N., Donovan, K., Riley, S. G. and Phillips, A. O. 2010. Impact of chronic kidney disease management in primary care. QJM 104(1), pp. 27-34. (10.1093/qjmed/hcq151)
- Simpson, R. M. L., Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Bowen, T., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age-related changes in pericellular hyaluronan organization leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. American Journal of Pathology 175(5), pp. 1915-1928. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.090045)
- Webber, J. P., Jenkins, R. H., Meran, S., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2009. Modulation of TGFβ1-dependent myofibroblast differentiation by hyaluronan. American Journal of Pathology 175(1), pp. 148-160. (10.2353/ajpath.2009.080837)
- Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Hyaluronan orchestrates transforming growth factor-β1-dependent maintenance of myofibroblast phenotype. Journal of Biological Chemistry 284(14), pp. 9083-9092. (10.1074/jbc.M806989200)
- Simpson, R. M., Stephens, P., Thomas, D., Webber, J. P., Meran, S., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2009. Age related changes in pericellular hyaluronan leads to impaired dermal fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. International Journal of Experimental Pathology 90(2), pp. A128-A129.
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Enoch, S., Martin, J., Steadman, R. and Phillips, A. O. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates transforming growth factor-β1-mediated fibroblast proliferation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 283(10), pp. 6530-6545. (10.1074/jbc.M704819200)
- Meran, S., Steadman, R., Phillips, A. O., Thomas, D. W. and Stephens, P. 2008. Hyaluronan facilitates TGF beta 1 mediated myofibroblastic differentiation [Abstract]. Wound Repair and Regeneration 16(2), pp. A12. (10.1111/j.1524-475X.2008.00371.x)
- Meran, S., Thomas, D. W., Stephens, P., Martin, J., Bowen, T., Phillips, A. O. and Steadman, R. 2007. Involvement of hyaluronan in regulation of fibroblast phenotype. The Journal of Biological Chemistry 282(35), pp. 25687-25697. (10.1074/jbc.M700773200)
Research
Primary Research Area
My research has centred on cell and matrix biology as applied to progressive renal disease. 15% of the UK population have chronic kidney disease, placing them at increased risk of multimorbidity and death. Prevention/reversal of underlying fibro-proliferative processes that drive chronic kidney disease is not yet possible, and current clinical practice poorly predicts whether patients will develop progressive chronic kidney disease or demonstrate renal recovery and/or resolution. My group aims to identify novel molecular and cellular targets that can prevent acute and chronic kidney disease to prevent patients requiring renal replacement therapies.
Hyaluronan is a matrix glycosaminoglycans that demonstrates increased stromal expression in all forms of acute and chronic kidney injury, with its increased expression correlating with renal outcomes. My group has identified novel targets related to Hyaluronan and its binding proteins that can both prevent and reverse fibrosis in in vitro cell systems. Current research now focuses on developing translational aspects of this research and demonstrates the in vivo relevance and applicability of these cellular targets to determine their use as biomarkers in predicting progression of renal disease, as well investigate their potential as novel anti-fibrotic therapies.
Related research areas
I also have an active interest in understanding the mechansims that drive cardiovascular pathologies in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is now second in prevalence to heart disease in the developed world. Patients with end-stage CKD who are on dialysis have similar (if not worse) outcomes to many cancers, however this is not well recognised. Cardiovascular diasease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. Unfortunately, they do not respond well to traditional cardiovascular therapies such as anti-platelet therapy, lipid lowering therapy or percutaneous angioplasty. My group aims to identify the mechanisms that drive cardiovascular pathology in patients with renal disease and investigate novel therapeutic targets. Other related areas of research within nephrology include understanding the mechanisms that drive peritoneal fibrosis and lead to peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure in patients with renal disease and am one of the Prinicipal Investigators in the Horizon 2020 funded IMPROVE PD Marie Curie ITN programme.
COVID19 research: I collaborate with a group within the clinical Nephrology and Transplant Directorate as well as Immunology and Virolgy research groups within Cardiff University to investigate COVID19 vaccine responses in patients on haemodialysis, with similar studies being led in kidney tranplant patients run by the same group.
Teaching
I am the Speciality Lead for undergraduate medical education in Renal Medicine in the Nephrology and Transplant Directorate and Chair the Educational Governance committee for the department, which oversees improvement in undergraduate and postgraduate renal education and training. I sit on the Renal STC comittee in Wales and am an Educational and Clinical Supervisor to a number of speciality trainees and Foundation Programme trainees.
I undertake supervision of research projects for PhD students and welcome enquiries into supervision of new students, including Master's students, Intercalated medical students and PTY undergraduate students.
My recent PhD student Dr Charlotte Brown was recently awarded the Medawar Medal at the British Transplant Society Meeting in February 2021 for research undertaken in my Lab.
Please see the Welsh Kidney Club website for more information on teaching and education activity in our department.
Biography
See a link to my biography published through Kidney Research UK
Link to Med Sci Life Report
Education and qualifications
- 2020: GCP (Good Clinical Practise in Research) Certification (Health and Care Research Wales)
- 2020: FRCP, Royal College of Physicians, UK.
- 2012: Certificate of Completion in Training (CCT) in Renal Medicine, General Medical Council
- 2012: MRCP (UK, Renal Medicine), Royal College of Physicians, UK.
- 2008: PhD, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
- 2004: MRCP(UK), Royal College of Physicians, UK.
- 1993: MB ChB, University of Glasgow Medical School.
Career overview
- 2016-Present: Clinical Senior Lecturer in Nephrology, Cardiff University School of Medicine.
- 2016-Present: Honorary Consultant Nephrologist in Cardiff and Vale UHB and Aneurin Bevan UHB.
- 2013-2019: MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship, Cardiff University School of Medicine.
- 2007-2013: Academic Specialist Registrar in Nephrology and Walport Clinical Lecturer, Wales Deanery.
- 2004-2007: Clinical Research Fellow in Renal Medicine, Institute of Nephrology, Cardiff University School of Medicine.
- 2001-2004: Senior House Officer, South Wales Medical SHO rotations.
- 2001-2001: House Officer in Surgery, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow.
- 2000-2001: House Officer in Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow.
- 1995-2000: Glasgow University Medical Undergraduate.
Honours and awards
- 2013-2019: MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship
- 2007: Young Investigator Award, European Tissue Repair Society
- 2021: British Transplant Society Medawar Medal awarded to PhD student Dr Charlotte Brown.
- 2018: UK Kidney Week, Best Abstract Oral Presentation awarded to PhD student Dr Aled Williams.
- 2017: International Soceity of Hyaluronan Sciences Conference, Cleveland, Mark Lauer Research Award to Dr Adam Midgley, postdoctoral researcher in my group.
- 2016: UK Kidney Week, Early Career Researcher Awarded to Dr Adam Midgley, postdoctoral researcher in my group.
Professional memberships
- International Society of Hyaluronan Sciences Board Member.
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, UK.
- American Society of Nephrology, Member.
- UK Renal Association, Member.
- Academy of Medical Science SUSTAIN candidate 2015-2016
Academic positions
- 2012-present: Clinical Senior Lecturer in Nephrolgy, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
- 2012-2019: MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
- 2007-2012: Walport Clinical Lecturer, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
- 2004-2007: PhD student, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
Supervisions
Supervised areas
- Renal Medicine
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Peritoneal Dialysis
- Hyaluronan and Matrix Biology
- Fibrosis Biology
- Cardiovascular pathology in renal disease
