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Professor Kathy Triantafilou
(she/her)
Chair of Paediatric Immunology & Infection and Director of the Division of Infection and Immunity
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I am the Head of the Division of Infection and Immunity at Cardiff University, School of Medicine. I am also the Chair of Paediatric Immunology and Infection leading the Inflammation theme within the Division. My research focuses on unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind the innate recognition of bacterial as well as viral pathogens. My particular focus is on pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and the innate immune sensing of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the NOD-like receptors (NLRs, inflammasomes) and the cGAS-STING pathway as well as their crosstalk with other immune pathways such as the complement system and how we can target them therapeutically for different inflammatory conditions.
Publication
2022
- Jimenez-Duran, G. et al. 2022. Complement membrane attack complex is an immunometabolic regulator of NLRP3 activation and IL-18 secretion in human macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology 13, article number: 918551. (10.3389/fimmu.2022.918551)
- Triantafilou, M. et al. 2022. Human rhinovirus promotes STING trafficking to replication organelles to promote viral replication. Nature Communications 13(1), article number: 1406. (10.1038/s41467-022-28745-3)
2021
- Triantafilou, K. 2021. Enigmatic inflammasomes - sequel (Part 2). Immunology 163(4), pp. 345-347. (10.1111/imm.13387)
- Triantafilou, K. et al. 2021. Differential recognition of HIV-stimulated IL-1? and IL-18 secretion through NLR and NAIP signalling in monocyte-derived macrophages. PLoS Pathogens 17(4), article number: e1009417. (10.1371/journal.ppat.1009417)
- Triantafilou, K. 2021. Enigmatic inflammasomes. Immunology 162(3), pp. 249-251. (10.1111/imm.13309)
2019
- Shimauchi, T. et al. 2019. Dendritic cells promote the spread of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 via bidirectional interactions with CD4+ T cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 139(1), pp. 157-166. (10.1016/j.jid.2018.06.188)
2018
- Carroll, R. G. et al. 2018. An unexpected link between fatty acid synthase and cholesterol synthesis in proinflammatory macrophage activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 293(15), pp. 5509-5521. (10.1074/jbc.RA118.001921)
2017
- Patel, M. N. et al. 2017. Inflammasome priming in sterile inflammatory disease. Trends in Molecular Medicine 23(2), pp. 165-180. (10.1016/j.molmed.2016.12.007)
2016
- Triantafilou, M., Hughes, T., Morgan, B. and Triantafilou, K. 2016. Complementing the inflammasome. Immunology 147(2), pp. 152-164. (10.1111/imm.12556)
2014
- Triantafilou, K. and Triantafilou, M. 2014. Ion flux in the lung: virus-induced inflammasome activation. Trends in Microbiology 22(10), pp. 580-588. (10.1016/j.tim.2014.06.002)
- Maekawa, T. et al. 2014. Porphyromonas gingivalis manipulates complement and TLR signaling to uncouple bacterial clearance from inflammation and promote dysbiosis. Cell Host and Microbe 15(6), pp. 768-778. (10.1016/j.chom.2014.05.012)
- Shang, L. et al. 2014. Selective antibody intervention of toll-like receptor 4 activation through Fc γ receptor tethering. Journal of Biological Chemistry 289(22), pp. 15309-15318. (10.1074/jbc.M113.537936)
- Triantafilou, K., Eryilmazlar, D. and Triantafilou, M. 2014. Herpes simplex virus 2-induced activation in vaginal cells involves Toll-like receptors 2 and 9 and DNA sensors DAI and IFI16. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 210(2), pp. 122.e1-122.e10. (10.1016/j.ajog.2013.09.034)
2013
- Triantafilou, K., Kar, S., van Kuppeveld, F. J. M. and Triantafilou, M. 2013. Rhinovirus-induced calcium flux triggers NLRP3 and NLRC5 activation in bronchial cells. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 49(6), pp. 923. (10.1165/rcmb.2013-0032OC)
- Triantafilou, K., Hughes, T. R., Triantafilou, M. and Morgan, B. P. 2013. The complement membrane attack complex triggers intracellular Ca2+ fluxes leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Journal of Cell Science 126(13), pp. 2903-2913. (10.1242/jcs.124388)
- Triantafilou, M., De Glanville, B., Aboklaish, A. F., Spiller, O. B., Kotecha, S. and Triantafilou, K. 2013. Synergic activation of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 2/6 and 9 in response to ureaplasma parvum & urealyticum in human amniotic epithelial cells. PLoS ONE 8(4), article number: e61199. (10.1371/journal.pone.0061199)
- Triantafilou, K., Kar, S., Vakakis, E., Kotecha, S. and Triantafilou, M. 2013. Human respiratory syncytial virus viroporin SH: a viral recognition pathway used by the host to signal inflammasome activation. Thorax 68(1), pp. 66-75. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202182)
2012
- Triantafilou, K., Vakakis, E., Kar, S., Richer, E., Evans, G. L. and Triantafilou, M. 2012. Visualisation of direct interaction of MDA5 and the dsRNA replicative intermediate form of positive strand RNA viruses. Journal of Cell Science 125(20), pp. 4761-4769. (10.1242/jcs.103887)
- Mancek-Keber, M. et al. 2012. MARCKS as a Negative Regulator of Lipopolysaccharide Signaling. The Journal of Immunology 188(8), pp. 3893-3902. (10.4049/jimmunol.1003605)
- Triantafilou, K. and Triantafilou, M. 2012. Visualising PAMP-PRR interactions using nanoscale imaging. In: Christodoulides, M. ed. Neisseria meningitidis: Advanced Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology Vol. 799. New York: Humana Press, pp. 253-266., (10.1007/978-1-61779-346-2_16)
- Triantafilou, M. et al. 2012. Serum proteins modulate lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid-induced activation and contribute to the clinical outcome of sepsis. Virulence 3(2), pp. 136-145. (10.4161/viru.19077)
2011
- Triantafilou, K., Vakakis, E., Richer, E. A. J., Evans, G. L., Villiers, J. P. and Triantafilou, M. 2011. Human rhinovirus recognition in non-immune cells is mediated by Toll-like receptors and MDA-5, which trigger a synergetic pro-inflammatory immune response. Virulence 2(1), pp. 22-29. (10.4161/viru.2.1.13807)
2010
- Wang, M. et al. 2010. Microbial hijacking of complement-toll-like receptor crosstalk. Science Signaling 3(109), article number: ra11. (10.1126/scisignal.2000697)
- Bunk, S. et al. 2010. Internalization and coreceptor expression are critical for TLR2-mediated recognition of lipoteichoic acid in human peripheral blood. The Journal of Immunology 185(6), pp. 3708-3717. (10.4049/jimmunol.0901660)
2009
- Pierce, D. L. et al. 2009. Host adhesive activities and virulence of novel fimbrial proteins of porphyromonas gingivalis. Infection and Immunity 77(8), pp. 3294-3301. (10.1128/IAI.00262-09)
2008
- Hajishengallis, G., Wang, M., Liang, S., Triantafilou, M. and Triantafilou, K. 2008. Pathogen induction of CXCR4/TLR2 cross-talk impairs host defense function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105(36), pp. 13532-13537. (10.1073/pnas.0803852105)
- Triantafilou, M., Lepper, P. M., Briault, C. D., Ahmed, M. A. E., Dmochowski, J. M., Schumann, C. and Triantafilou, K. 2008. Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is part of the lipopolysaccharide "sensing apparatus". European Journal of Immunology 38(1), pp. 192-203. (10.1002/eji.200636821)
- Parker, L. C. et al. 2008. A phosphatidylserine species inhibits a range of TLR- but not IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses by disruption of membrane microdomains. The Journal of Immunology 181(8), pp. 5606-5617.
Articles
- Jimenez-Duran, G. et al. 2022. Complement membrane attack complex is an immunometabolic regulator of NLRP3 activation and IL-18 secretion in human macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology 13, article number: 918551. (10.3389/fimmu.2022.918551)
- Triantafilou, M. et al. 2022. Human rhinovirus promotes STING trafficking to replication organelles to promote viral replication. Nature Communications 13(1), article number: 1406. (10.1038/s41467-022-28745-3)
- Triantafilou, K. 2021. Enigmatic inflammasomes - sequel (Part 2). Immunology 163(4), pp. 345-347. (10.1111/imm.13387)
- Triantafilou, K. et al. 2021. Differential recognition of HIV-stimulated IL-1? and IL-18 secretion through NLR and NAIP signalling in monocyte-derived macrophages. PLoS Pathogens 17(4), article number: e1009417. (10.1371/journal.ppat.1009417)
- Triantafilou, K. 2021. Enigmatic inflammasomes. Immunology 162(3), pp. 249-251. (10.1111/imm.13309)
- Shimauchi, T. et al. 2019. Dendritic cells promote the spread of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 via bidirectional interactions with CD4+ T cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 139(1), pp. 157-166. (10.1016/j.jid.2018.06.188)
- Carroll, R. G. et al. 2018. An unexpected link between fatty acid synthase and cholesterol synthesis in proinflammatory macrophage activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 293(15), pp. 5509-5521. (10.1074/jbc.RA118.001921)
- Patel, M. N. et al. 2017. Inflammasome priming in sterile inflammatory disease. Trends in Molecular Medicine 23(2), pp. 165-180. (10.1016/j.molmed.2016.12.007)
- Triantafilou, M., Hughes, T., Morgan, B. and Triantafilou, K. 2016. Complementing the inflammasome. Immunology 147(2), pp. 152-164. (10.1111/imm.12556)
- Triantafilou, K. and Triantafilou, M. 2014. Ion flux in the lung: virus-induced inflammasome activation. Trends in Microbiology 22(10), pp. 580-588. (10.1016/j.tim.2014.06.002)
- Maekawa, T. et al. 2014. Porphyromonas gingivalis manipulates complement and TLR signaling to uncouple bacterial clearance from inflammation and promote dysbiosis. Cell Host and Microbe 15(6), pp. 768-778. (10.1016/j.chom.2014.05.012)
- Shang, L. et al. 2014. Selective antibody intervention of toll-like receptor 4 activation through Fc γ receptor tethering. Journal of Biological Chemistry 289(22), pp. 15309-15318. (10.1074/jbc.M113.537936)
- Triantafilou, K., Eryilmazlar, D. and Triantafilou, M. 2014. Herpes simplex virus 2-induced activation in vaginal cells involves Toll-like receptors 2 and 9 and DNA sensors DAI and IFI16. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 210(2), pp. 122.e1-122.e10. (10.1016/j.ajog.2013.09.034)
- Triantafilou, K., Kar, S., van Kuppeveld, F. J. M. and Triantafilou, M. 2013. Rhinovirus-induced calcium flux triggers NLRP3 and NLRC5 activation in bronchial cells. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 49(6), pp. 923. (10.1165/rcmb.2013-0032OC)
- Triantafilou, K., Hughes, T. R., Triantafilou, M. and Morgan, B. P. 2013. The complement membrane attack complex triggers intracellular Ca2+ fluxes leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Journal of Cell Science 126(13), pp. 2903-2913. (10.1242/jcs.124388)
- Triantafilou, M., De Glanville, B., Aboklaish, A. F., Spiller, O. B., Kotecha, S. and Triantafilou, K. 2013. Synergic activation of Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 2/6 and 9 in response to ureaplasma parvum & urealyticum in human amniotic epithelial cells. PLoS ONE 8(4), article number: e61199. (10.1371/journal.pone.0061199)
- Triantafilou, K., Kar, S., Vakakis, E., Kotecha, S. and Triantafilou, M. 2013. Human respiratory syncytial virus viroporin SH: a viral recognition pathway used by the host to signal inflammasome activation. Thorax 68(1), pp. 66-75. (10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202182)
- Triantafilou, K., Vakakis, E., Kar, S., Richer, E., Evans, G. L. and Triantafilou, M. 2012. Visualisation of direct interaction of MDA5 and the dsRNA replicative intermediate form of positive strand RNA viruses. Journal of Cell Science 125(20), pp. 4761-4769. (10.1242/jcs.103887)
- Mancek-Keber, M. et al. 2012. MARCKS as a Negative Regulator of Lipopolysaccharide Signaling. The Journal of Immunology 188(8), pp. 3893-3902. (10.4049/jimmunol.1003605)
- Triantafilou, M. et al. 2012. Serum proteins modulate lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid-induced activation and contribute to the clinical outcome of sepsis. Virulence 3(2), pp. 136-145. (10.4161/viru.19077)
- Triantafilou, K., Vakakis, E., Richer, E. A. J., Evans, G. L., Villiers, J. P. and Triantafilou, M. 2011. Human rhinovirus recognition in non-immune cells is mediated by Toll-like receptors and MDA-5, which trigger a synergetic pro-inflammatory immune response. Virulence 2(1), pp. 22-29. (10.4161/viru.2.1.13807)
- Wang, M. et al. 2010. Microbial hijacking of complement-toll-like receptor crosstalk. Science Signaling 3(109), article number: ra11. (10.1126/scisignal.2000697)
- Bunk, S. et al. 2010. Internalization and coreceptor expression are critical for TLR2-mediated recognition of lipoteichoic acid in human peripheral blood. The Journal of Immunology 185(6), pp. 3708-3717. (10.4049/jimmunol.0901660)
- Pierce, D. L. et al. 2009. Host adhesive activities and virulence of novel fimbrial proteins of porphyromonas gingivalis. Infection and Immunity 77(8), pp. 3294-3301. (10.1128/IAI.00262-09)
- Hajishengallis, G., Wang, M., Liang, S., Triantafilou, M. and Triantafilou, K. 2008. Pathogen induction of CXCR4/TLR2 cross-talk impairs host defense function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105(36), pp. 13532-13537. (10.1073/pnas.0803852105)
- Triantafilou, M., Lepper, P. M., Briault, C. D., Ahmed, M. A. E., Dmochowski, J. M., Schumann, C. and Triantafilou, K. 2008. Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is part of the lipopolysaccharide "sensing apparatus". European Journal of Immunology 38(1), pp. 192-203. (10.1002/eji.200636821)
- Parker, L. C. et al. 2008. A phosphatidylserine species inhibits a range of TLR- but not IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses by disruption of membrane microdomains. The Journal of Immunology 181(8), pp. 5606-5617.
Book sections
- Triantafilou, K. and Triantafilou, M. 2012. Visualising PAMP-PRR interactions using nanoscale imaging. In: Christodoulides, M. ed. Neisseria meningitidis: Advanced Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology Vol. 799. New York: Humana Press, pp. 253-266., (10.1007/978-1-61779-346-2_16)
Research
Over the past few years, the Triantafilou group has been focusing on unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind the innate recognition of bacterial as well as viral pathogens. In particular, we have focused on the involvement of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the NOD-like receptors (NLRs, inflammasomes) as well as the cGAS-STING pathway and their innate immune sensing as well as their crosstalk with other immune pathways such as the Complement system. For the past five years, I have been on secondment at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as part of a unique industry-academia collaboration called the Elion & Black Immunology Catalyst Sabbatical Programme in order to perform medical research. Our latest work in pharmaceutical industry has been focusing on unravelling innate immune mechanisms for direct clinical value - translating discoveries into possible medicines. Our experience at GSK, has given us great insight into how the drug discovery programs work. During that time, we have been leading projects that focused on innate immune sensing of viruses, complement-inflammasome interactions as well as investigating how immunometabolism modulates the innate immune response, with a priority to translate the findings into medicines.
Teaching
Module 1 (MET920) of the Applied and Experimental Immunology MSc
Module 5 (MET920) of the Applied and Experimental Immunology MSc
Case based learning (CBL) Year 1 tutor
SSC Year 1 - Literature Review
SSC Year 2 - Laboratory placement supervisor
Academic Mentoring
Biography
Professional memberships
British Society of Immunology
Academic positions
April 2024 - Director of Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University, School of Medicine
October 2010 - Chair of Paediatric Immunology and Infection, Cardiff University, School of Medicine
March 2016 - January 2021 Ellion & Black Immunology Catalyst Sabbatical Programme, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
October 2003 - Sept 2010 Reader in Immunology, University of Sussex
October 2002 - Sept 2003 Senior Lecturer in Immunology, University of Portsmouth
March 2001 - Sept 2002 Lecturer in Immunology, University of Portsmouth