Overview
Background
Dr Lee is a mid-career researcher with training in neuroscience, and additional experience in pharmacology and immunity. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2014 and continued his post-doctoral research studies in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow and Group Leader at UQ's School of Biomedical Sciences, where he focusses on innate immune and inflammatory pathways including the complement system and inflammasomes in motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Dr Lee’s research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of multiple anti-inflammatory drugs targeting innate immune-mediated neuroinflammation to reduce neuronal cell death in animal models of neurodegenerative disease. He is also interested in the links between the immune system, stress response, and energy metabolism in neurodegeneration.
Availability
- Dr John Lee is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Neuroimmunology in neurodegenerative diseases
We explore the involvement of innate immune cells in the pathogenesis of MND, HD, and PD to identify potential therapeutic targets. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation, we aim to develop interventions that halt or slow disease progression.
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Immunometabolism in neuroinflammation
Our group investigates the metabolic capacity of innate immune cells within the central nervous system, including neutrophils, macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes. By understanding how alterations in cellular metabolism impact immune function, we aim to uncover new strategies for modulating neuroinflammatory responses.
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Immune system – Stress response crosstalk
We explore the intricate relationship between the immune system and the stress response, particularly its implications in neuropsychiatric disorders. By unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk, we aim to identify new therapeutic targets for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Immunosenescence and Neurological Aging
Our group investigates the link between the immune system and aging within the context of neurological health. By studying age-related changes in immune function and their impact on brain health, we aim to develop interventions that promote healthy aging and mitigate age-related neurological disorders.
Works
Search Professor John Lee’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Is the C3a receptor antagonist SB290157 a useful pharmacological tool?
Lee, John D., Taylor, Stephen M. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Is the C3a receptor antagonist SB290157 a useful pharmacological tool?. British Journal of Pharmacology, 177 (24) bph.15264, 5677-5678. doi: 10.1111/bph.15264
2020
Journal Article
Absence of the C5a receptor C5aR2 worsens ischemic tissue injury by increasing C5aR1-mediated neutrophil infiltration
Wu, Mike C. L., Lee, John D., Ruitenberg, Marc J. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Absence of the C5a receptor C5aR2 worsens ischemic tissue injury by increasing C5aR1-mediated neutrophil infiltration. The Journal of Immunology, 205 (10), 1-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000778
2020
Journal Article
A validated quantitative method for the assessment of neuroprotective barrier impairment in neurodegenerative disease models
Kumar, Vinod, Lee, John D., Coulson, Elizabeth J. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). A validated quantitative method for the assessment of neuroprotective barrier impairment in neurodegenerative disease models. Journal of Neurochemistry, 158 (3) jnc.15119, 807-817. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15119
2020
Journal Article
Absence of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product (RAGE) Reduces Inflammation and Extends Survival in the hSOD1 Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Lee, John D., McDonald, Tanya S., Fung, Jenny N. T. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Absence of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product (RAGE) Reduces Inflammation and Extends Survival in the hSOD1 Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Molecular Neurobiology, 57 (10), 4143-4155. doi: 10.1007/s12035-020-02019-9
2020
Journal Article
Pharmacological characterisation of small molecule C5aR1 inhibitors in human cells reveals biased activities for signalling and function
Li, Xaria X., Lee, John D., Massey, Nicholas L., Guan, Carolyn, Robertson, Avril A. B., Clark, Richard J. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Pharmacological characterisation of small molecule C5aR1 inhibitors in human cells reveals biased activities for signalling and function. Biochemical Pharmacology, 180 114156, 114156. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114156
2020
Journal Article
The peripheral immune system and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
McCombe, Pamela A., Lee, John D., Woodruff, Trent M. and Henderson, Robert D. (2020). The peripheral immune system and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology, 11 279, 279. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00279
2020
Journal Article
The microglial NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis proteins
Deora, Vandana, Lee, John D., Albornoz, Eduardo A., McAlary, Luke, Jagaraj, Cyril J., Robertson, Avril A. B., Atkin, Julie D, Cooper, Matthew A., Schroder, Kate, Yerbury, Justin J., Gordon, Richard and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). The microglial NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis proteins. Glia, 68 (2) glia.23728, 407-421. doi: 10.1002/glia.23728
2020
Journal Article
Preclinical pharmacokinetics of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice
Kumar, Vinod, Lee, John D., Clark, Richard J., Noakes, Peter G., Taylor, Stephen M. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Preclinical pharmacokinetics of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice. ACS Omega, 5 (5) acsomega.9b03735, 2345-2354. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03735
2019
Journal Article
The Concise Guide to Pharmacology 2019/20: G protein‐coupled receptors
Alexander, Stephen P. H., Christopoulos, Arthur, Davenport, Anthony P., Kelly, Eamonn, Mathie, Alistair, Peters, John A., Veale, Emma L., Armstrong, Jane F., Faccenda, Elena, Harding, Simon D., Pawson, Adam J., Sharman, Joanna L., Southan, Christopher, Davies, Jamie A., Abbracchio, Maria P., Alexander, Wayne, Al-hosaini, Khaled, Bäck, Magnus, Beaulieu, Jean‐Martin, Bernstein, Kenneth E., Bettler, Bernhard, Birdsall, Nigel J.M., Blaho, Victoria, Bousquet, Corinne, Bräuner-Osborne, Hans, Burnstock, Geoffrey, Caló, Girolamo, Castaño, Justo P., Catt, Kevin J. ... Yao, Chengcan (2019). The Concise Guide to Pharmacology 2019/20: G protein‐coupled receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology, 176 (S1), S21-S141. doi: 10.1111/bph.14748
2019
Journal Article
Complement peptide receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database
Cianciulli, Antonia, Coulthard, Liam, Hawksworth, Owen, Lee, John D., Mitolo, Vincenzo, Monk, Peter, Panaro, Maria A. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2019). Complement peptide receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology CITE, 2019 (4). doi: 10.2218/gtopdb/f5/2019.4
2019
Journal Article
C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma
Nabizadeh, Jamileh A., Manthey, Helga D., Panagides, Nadya, Steyn, Frederik J., Lee, John D., Li, Xaria X., Akhir, Fazrena N. M., Chen, Weiyu, Boyle, Glen M., Taylor, Stephen M., Woodruff, Trent M. and Rolfe, Barbara E. (2019). C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. FASEB Journal, 33 (10), fj201800980RR-11071. doi: 10.1096/fj.201800980rr
2019
Journal Article
The complement receptor C5aR2: a powerful modulator of innate and adaptive immunity
Li, Xaria X., Lee, John D., Kemper, Claudia and Woodruff, Trent M. (2019). The complement receptor C5aR2: a powerful modulator of innate and adaptive immunity. Journal of Immunology, 202 (12), 3339-3348. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900371
2019
Journal Article
Gut microbiota in ALS: possible role in pathogenesis?
McCombe, Pamela A., Henderson, Robert D., Lee, Aven, Lee, John D., Woodruff, Trent M., Restuadi, Restuadi, McRae, Allan, Wray, Naomi R., Ngo, Shyuan and Steyn, Frederik J. (2019). Gut microbiota in ALS: possible role in pathogenesis?. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 19 (9), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1623026
2019
Journal Article
Therapeutic blockade of HMGB1 reduces early motor deficits, but not survival in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Lee, John D., Liu, Ning, Levin, Samantha C., Ottosson, Lars, Andersson, Ulf, Harris, Helena E. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2019). Therapeutic blockade of HMGB1 reduces early motor deficits, but not survival in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 16 (1) 45, 45. doi: 10.1186/s12974-019-1435-2
2019
Conference Publication
Deciphering key roles for complement peptide receptors in brain development
Woodruff, T., Hawksworth, O., Lee, J. and Coulthard, L. (2019). Deciphering key roles for complement peptide receptors in brain development. Joint Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and American Society for Neurochemistry (ISN-ASN), Montreal, Canada, 4-8 August 2019. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2019
Conference Publication
Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma
Nabizadeh, J., Manthey, H., Panagides, N., Steyn, F., Lee, J., Li, X., Woodruff, T. and Rolfe, B. (2019). Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. 17th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS), Beijing, China, 19-23 October 2019. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley.
2018
Journal Article
Complement C3a receptor modulates embryonic neural progenitor cell proliferation and cognitive performance
Coulthard, Liam G., Hawksworth, Owen A., Conroy, Jacinta, Lee, John D. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). Complement C3a receptor modulates embryonic neural progenitor cell proliferation and cognitive performance. Molecular Immunology, 101, 176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.271
2018
Journal Article
Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS assay for pharmacokinetic studies of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice
Kumar, Vinod, Lee, John D., Clark, Richard J. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2018). Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS assay for pharmacokinetic studies of complement C5a receptor antagonists PMX53 and PMX205 in mice. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 8101, 8101. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26387-4
2018
Journal Article
Defects in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction precedes motor deficits in a TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Chand, Kirat K., Lee, Kah Meng, Lee, John D., Qiu, Hao, Willis, Emily F., Lavidis, Nickolas A., Hilliard, Massimo A. and Noakes, Peter G. (2018). Defects in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction precedes motor deficits in a TDP-43Q331K transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 32 (5), fj201700835R-2689. doi: 10.1096/fj.201700835R
2017
Journal Article
Complement C5a-C5aR1 signalling drives skeletal muscle macrophage recruitment in the hSOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Wang, Haitao A., Lee, John D., Lee, Kah Meng, Woodruff, Trent M. and Noakes, Peter G. (2017). Complement C5a-C5aR1 signalling drives skeletal muscle macrophage recruitment in the hSOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Skeletal Muscle, 7 (1) 10, 10. doi: 10.1186/s13395-017-0128-8
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr John Lee is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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The role of innate immune and inflammatory pathways in neurodegenerative diseases
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The link between innate immune system and energy metabolism and its contribution to neurodegeneration
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Unravelling the Role of Astrocytes in Motor Neuron Disease to discover new therapeutic targets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of neuronal complement activation in Motor Neuron Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Neutrophils in Motor Neuron Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Professor Pamela McCombe, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr Cedric Cui
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of terminal complement pathway in neurodevelopment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung
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Doctor Philosophy
Therapeutic blockade of neuroinflammation for the treatment of Huntington's disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eduardo Albornoz Balmaceda, Professor Trent Woodruff
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Doctor Philosophy
Preclinical evaluation of complement receptor targeted drugs for neurological disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr Vinod Kumar, Professor Trent Woodruff
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Doctor Philosophy
Complement in subarachnoid haemorrhage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Liam Coulthard
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Complement Modulation of Peripheral Immunity in Motor Neurone Disease and Huntington's Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Naomi Wray, Professor Trent Woodruff
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Preclinical development of complement C5aR1 antagonists for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Dr Vinod Kumar, Dr Felicity Han, Professor Trent Woodruff
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Immunopharmacology of the Complement C5a Receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Richard Clark, Professor Mark Blaskovich, Professor Trent Woodruff
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
The role of GPR43 in neuroinflammation and the hSOD1G93A mouse model of motor neuron disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Gordon, Professor Trent Woodruff
Media
Enquiries
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