Overview
Background
Professor Thomas’ research is focused on the study of the biology and clinical use of human dendritic cells in autoimmune disease. It has explored basic mechanisms of immunity and dendritic cell function in autoimmune disease.
Professor Thomas is a graduate of the University of Western Australia. She received her MBBS in 1984, and then trained in Perth as a rheumatologist. She commenced a research fellowship with Peter Lipsky at Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas in 1990, where she first identified and characterised human circulating dendritic cell precursors. She is now Professor of Rheumatology at The University of Queensland's Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, consultant Rheumatologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital and fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. In 2020 she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia. She has founded two spin-off companies Dendright (2006-2021), and Liperate in 2022.
Her research seeks to understand autoimmune disease and restoration of immune tolerance. Through this work, she developed dendritic cell-based citrullinated antigen-specific immunotherapy in the first proof-of-concept trial in Rheumatoid Arthritis. She then developed a liposome immunotherapy that targets dendritic cells to induce antigen-specific tolerance, opening new opportunities for the control and prevention of autoimmune disease. Dendright progressed a liposome-based tolerance strategy for rheumatoid arthritis to a phase I trial, and Liperate is planning to open a trial of a liposome-based tolerance strategy for type 1 diabetes in 2024. She has contributed major insights into immune tolerance mechanisms and interaction between microbiome and the immune system to trigger or control spondyloarthropathy.
Availability
- Professor Ranjeny Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University of Western Australia
- Doctoral Diploma of Medicine, University of Western Australia
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Research impacts
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune disease, reduces quality of life for patients. Inflammation was thought to drive RA, however, current treatment strategies are anti-inflammatory and broadly immunosuppressive but cannot cure the disease. Our research program represented a paradigm shift in RA treatment and prevention which led to a novel therapy.
We discovered the role played by dendritic cells presenting self-antigens to expand T cells in RA and strategies to retrain disease-causing dendritic cells and T cells through dendritic cell therapy and targeting. This informed the development of liposome (nanoparticles encapsulating self-antigen and a drug to modify dendritic cell function) immunotherapy. Our first-generation liposome immunotherapy, DEN-181, was trialled in RA by Dendright, in partnership with Janssen Biotech Inc. (Galea et al, JCI Insight 2022). Our work attracted partnerships with philanthropic Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Helmsley Foundation to extend to drug development in type 1 diabetes; and with CSL to extend to Sjogren's syndrome. These partnerships led to new antigen discovery and biomarker development, and pre-clinical model development. Within the European academic-industry consortium RT-CURE, we developed immune tolerance strategies to prevent and cure RA. As a result of successful development, scale-up and manufacture of a second-generation liposome immunotherapy, Liperate received funding for a phase 1 clinical trial of ASITI-201 in type 1 diabetes. The trial is expected to open in 2024.
Our economic impact was through patents in dendritic cell immunotherapy and dendritic cell targeting nanotechnologies, which led to two start-up companies, attracting partnerships with 3 pharmaceutical companies, and academic and commercialisation grants (including CUREator and Australian Economic Accelerator). The technology has created >20 jobs and 3 first-in-human clinical trials.
Works
Search Professor Ranjeny Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
1995
Journal Article
Expression of CD45RB and CD27 identifies subsets of CD4+ memory T cells with different capacities to induce B cell differentiation
Tortorella, C., Schulze-Koops, H., Thomas, R., Splawski, J. B., Davis, L. S., Picker, L. J. and Lipsky, P. E. (1995). Expression of CD45RB and CD27 identifies subsets of CD4+ memory T cells with different capacities to induce B cell differentiation. Journal of Immunology, 155 (1), 149-162.
1995
Journal Article
Elevated interleukin-10 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Cush, JJ, Splawski, JB, Thomas, R, McFarlin, JE, Schulzekoops, H, Davis, LS, Fujita, K and Lipsky, PE (1995). Elevated interleukin-10 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 38 (1), 96-104. doi: 10.1002/art.1780380115
1994
Journal Article
Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cell Subsets - Isolation and Characterization of Precursor and Mature Antigen-Presenting Cells
Thomas, R and Lipsky, PE (1994). Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cell Subsets - Isolation and Characterization of Precursor and Mature Antigen-Presenting Cells. Journal of Immunology, 153 (9), 4016-4028.
1994
Journal Article
Human peripheral blood dendritic cell subsets: Isolation and characterization of precursor and mature antigen-presenting cells
Thomas, Ranjeny and Lipsky, Peter E. (1994). Human peripheral blood dendritic cell subsets: Isolation and characterization of precursor and mature antigen-presenting cells. Journal of Immunology, 153 (9), 4016-4028.
1994
Journal Article
Assessment of a positive selection technique using an avidin column to isolate human peripheral blood T cell subsets
Davis, LS, McIlraith, MJ, Paecheo, T, Becker, B, Adix, LM, Thomas, R, Wacholtz, MC and Lipsky, PE (1994). Assessment of a positive selection technique using an avidin column to isolate human peripheral blood T cell subsets. Journal of Immunological Methods, 175 (2), 247-257. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(94)90367-0
1994
Journal Article
Angiocentric T-Cell Lymphoma Masquerading as Cutaneous Vasculitis
Thomas, R, Vuitch, F and Lakhanpal, S (1994). Angiocentric T-Cell Lymphoma Masquerading as Cutaneous Vasculitis. Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (4), 760-762.
1994
Journal Article
Rheumatoid Synovial T-Cells Are Functionally Active and Can Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid-Arthritis - Comment On the Article by Matthews Et-Al
Thomas, R, McIlraith, M, Davis, L and Lipsky, P (1994). Rheumatoid Synovial T-Cells Are Functionally Active and Can Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid-Arthritis - Comment On the Article by Matthews Et-Al. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 37 (3), 445-446. doi: 10.1002/art.1780370326
1994
Journal Article
Rheumatoid Synovium Is Enriched in Mature Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells
Thomas, R, Davis, LS and Lipsky, PE (1994). Rheumatoid Synovium Is Enriched in Mature Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells. Journal of Immunology, 152 (5), 2613-2623.
1994
Journal Article
Rheumatoid synovium is enriched in mature antigen-presenting dendritic cells
Thomas, Ranjeny, Davis, Laurie S. and Lipsky, Peter E. (1994). Rheumatoid synovium is enriched in mature antigen-presenting dendritic cells. Journal of Immunology, 152 (5), 2613-2623.
1994
Journal Article
Incidence, Prevalence and Possible Risk-Factors for Pneumonitis in Patients with Rheumatoid-Arthritis Receiving Methotrexate
Carroll, GJ, Thomas, R, Phatouros, CC, Atchison, MH, Leslie, AL, Cook, NJ and Dsouza, I (1994). Incidence, Prevalence and Possible Risk-Factors for Pneumonitis in Patients with Rheumatoid-Arthritis Receiving Methotrexate. Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (1), 51-54.
1994
Journal Article
Incidence, prevalence and possible risk factors for pneumonitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate
Carroll, G. J., Thomas, R., Phatouros, C. C., Atchison, M. H., Leslie, A. L., Cook, N. J. and D'Souza, I. (1994). Incidence, prevalence and possible risk factors for pneumonitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate. Journal of Rheumatology, 21 (1), 51-54.
1993
Journal Article
Comparative Accessory Cell-Function of Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cells and Monocytes
Thomas, R, Davis, LS and Lipsky, PE (1993). Comparative Accessory Cell-Function of Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cells and Monocytes. Journal of Immunology, 151 (12), 6840-6852.
1993
Journal Article
Isolation and characterization of human peripheral blood dendritic cells
Thomas, R., Davis, L. S. and Lipsky, P. E. (1993). Isolation and characterization of human peripheral blood dendritic cells. Journal of Immunology, 150 (3), 821-834.
1993
Journal Article
Isolation and Characterization of Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cells
Thomas, R, Davis, LS and Lipsky, PE (1993). Isolation and Characterization of Human Peripheral-Blood Dendritic Cells. Journal of Immunology, 150 (3), 821-834.
1993
Journal Article
Comparative accessory cell function of human peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocytes
Thomas, R., Davis, L. S. and Lipsky, P. E. (1993). Comparative accessory cell function of human peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocytes. Journal of Immunology, 151 (12), 6840-6852.
1993
Journal Article
Reduction of leukocyte and interleukin-1β concentrations in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate
Thomas, R and Carroll, GJ (1993). Reduction of leukocyte and interleukin-1β concentrations in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 36 (9), 1244-1252. doi: 10.1002/art.1780360909
1992
Journal Article
Rheumatoid Synovium Is Enriched in Cd45Rbdim Mature Memory T-Cells That Are Potent Helpers for B-Cell Differentiation
Thomas, R, McIlraith, M, Davis, LS and Lipsky, PE (1992). Rheumatoid Synovium Is Enriched in Cd45Rbdim Mature Memory T-Cells That Are Potent Helpers for B-Cell Differentiation. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 35 (12), 1455-1465. doi: 10.1002/art.1780351209
1991
Journal Article
Pyomyositis Complicating the Acquired-Immunodeficiency-Syndrome - a Report of 2 Cases with Coexistent Neutropenia
Thomas, R and French, Mah (1991). Pyomyositis Complicating the Acquired-Immunodeficiency-Syndrome - a Report of 2 Cases with Coexistent Neutropenia. Medical Journal of Australia, 154 (7), 481-483. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1991.tb121185.x
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ranjeny Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Effectiveness of a Healthy Lifestyle and Resilience Program in New-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is currently an incurable disease of ageing. Self-management - including good mental health, exercise, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation - complements medical management, and is recommended by United States and European consensus guidelines, to improve patient health outcomes and quality of life.
Whereas no research has integrated all of these self-management components into one program, our RA-HEAL program is a six-month multidisciplinary, person-centred, blended-delivery program combining resilience, healthy lifestyle behaviours and change support for RA. It was developed with input from consumers, the state-based arthritis support group, and rheumatology and allied health clinicians and researchers. Pilot research demonstrated feasibility, acceptability and significant improvements in physical function, sedentary behaviour and diet quality. The RA-HEAL trial builds on this success to assess real-world effectiveness of RA-HEAL compared to best practice usual care in people newly diagnosed with RA. We are evaluating health-related quality of life (primary outcome), feasibility, safety, acceptability, wellbeing, lifestyle behaviours, disease control and value for money over 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. This research will provide evidence to support a nationally-scalable approach to enable RA self management. The impact goal of this research is to optimise quality of life and reduce the substantial individual and public health burden of RA associated with distress, poor physical function, long-term complications and healthcare costs.
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Rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue and remission
Summary
Analyse existing biopsies and blood from patients with rheumatoid arthritis in remission and non-responsive to conventional treatment using spatial imaging, molecular and proteomic techniques.
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Effectiveness of a Healthy Lifestyle and Resilience Program in New-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is currently an incurable disease of ageing. Self-management - including good mental health, exercise, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation - complements medical management, and is recommended by United States and European consensus guidelines, to improve patient health outcomes and quality of life.
Whereas no research has integrated all of these self-management components into one program, our RA-HEAL program is a six-month multidisciplinary, person-centred, blended-delivery program combining resilience, healthy lifestyle behaviours and change support for RA. It was developed with input from consumers, the state-based arthritis support group, and rheumatology and allied health clinicians and researchers. Pilot research demonstrated feasibility, acceptability and significant improvements in physical function, sedentary behaviour and diet quality. The RA-HEAL trial builds on this success to assess real-world effectiveness of RA-HEAL compared to best practice usual care in people newly diagnosed with RA. We are evaluating health-related quality of life (primary outcome), feasibility, safety, acceptability, wellbeing, lifestyle behaviours, disease control and value for money over 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. This research will provide evidence to support a nationally-scalable approach to enable RA self management. The impact goal of this research is to optimise quality of life and reduce the substantial individual and public health burden of RA associated with distress, poor physical function, long-term complications and healthcare costs.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Australian Women
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Professor Gita Mishra, Associate Professor Leigh Tooth
-
Doctor Philosophy
The interplay of myeloid cells and autoreactive T lymphocytes activated by gut-derived bacteria in spondyloarthropathy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot
-
Master Philosophy
Proteomic discovery of heterogeneity in lupus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
-
Doctor Philosophy
Islet-specific T cell responses in type 1 diabetes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams, Dr Hanno Nel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Identifying immune specific epitopes of TSH receptor in Graves¿ disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hanno Nel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Prediction of risk and treatment response in autoimmunity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ahmed Mehdi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Immunogenic epitopes of the TSH receptor in Graves' disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hanno Nel
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Timothy Wells, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Molecular Characterisation of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and its role in autoimmunity
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fiona Simpson, Dr Pie Huda, Professor David Owen
-
Doctor Philosophy
The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in spondyloarthropathy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Timothy Wells, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Timothy Wells, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Antigen-specific T-cell responses in type 1 diabetes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Defining the role of T cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hanno Nel
-
2022
Master Philosophy
Development of an assay for T-cell response to myeloperoxidase in MPO-ANCA associated vasculitis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The role of peripheral regulatory T cells in the predisposition to Spondyloarthritides
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Factors Influencing Beta-cell Destruction in Type 1 Diabetes
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Principal Advisor
-
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Cytokines and STAT3 signalling in autoimmune diseases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Katharine Irvine
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Development of biomarkers in peripheral blood that could predict onset of type 1 diabetes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Regulatory T cells, dendritic cells and RelB in autoimmunity and tolerance
Principal Advisor
-
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2010
Master Philosophy
sRAGE, S100 proteins and PTPN22 C1858T genetic polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis
Principal Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Early rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation and Cardiovascular disease
Principal Advisor
-
2007
Master Philosophy
THE RAGE GLYCINE 82 SERINE POLYMORPHISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
DENDRITIC CELL IMMUNOTHERAPY BASED ON HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ian Frazer
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2002
Master Medical Science
CD40 Activated B-CLL Cells: an alternatie method for henerating an immune response & estalibshing autologous antigen-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
T cells specific for citrullinated-autoantigens in rheumatoid arthritis patients and at-risk individuals
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Timothy Wells, Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Nanoparticle delivery systems for antigen-specific immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Anne-Sophie Bergot, Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Antigen-specific peptide immunotherapy for treatment and prevention of type 1 diabetes.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing the immunomodulatory effects of NKT cells for cancer immunotherapy using a Clec9a-targeted nanoemulsion delivery system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Graham Leggatt
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Non-myeloablative antigen-encoding bone marrow transplantation for CD8+ memory T cell tolerance
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Mincle in the human innate immune response to Candida albicans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic variation in IL23R and its role in ankylosing spondylitis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Graham Leggatt
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
LIPOSOMES FOR CO-DELIVERY OF SELECTED NF-kB INHIBITOR AND ANTIGEN FOR TREATMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Associate Advisor
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2005
Doctor Philosophy
OPTIMIZATION OF DENDRITIC CELLS FOR CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lars Nielsen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Targeting Liver Inflammatory Myeloid Cells with Immunomodulatory Liposomes Improves Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Ranjeny Thomas directly for media enquiries about:
- Arthritis - rheumatoid
- Autoimmune disease
- Cells - dentric
- Dendritic cells
- Disease - autoimmune
- Immunity
- Immunology
- Immunotherapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
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