Honorary Professor John Upham
Honorary Professor

John Upham

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Background

John Upham is a clinical scientist and physician with longstanding research interests in the immunological basis of asthma and chronic lung disease, the role of dendritic cells in allergy and virus infections of the lung, and the development of novel approaches to severe asthma treatment.

John is highly influential in his field, with > 195 publications, > 5,400 citations and an H index of 46. Since 2009, he has 112 publications (1st/senior author on 45%) with a Field-Weighted Citation Impact of 2.03. Moreover, 21.5% of publications are in the top 10% of most-cited publications worldwide (field-weighted). His publications have been cited in >20 different subject areas, demonstrating translation to fields other than Medicine. His research has international reach with citations in 80 countries (Scopus Dec 2018).

In the last 10 years, he has secured over $24 million in research funding. John has been awarded 8 NHMRC Project grants (4 as CIA in the last 5 years), 2 NHMRC CRE (“Closing the gap in Indigenous Lung Health” and “Severe Asthma”), and 1 NHMRC Development Grant. He currently holds NHMRC grants of $7.5 million, including $2.96 million as CIA. John was regularly an invited (9x), plenary (3x) and Chair (9x) at national and international conferences in the last 5 years. In recognition of his international standing and influence in the field, he was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (2004) and the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2015).

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Cardiovascular medicine and haematology Clinical sciences Immunology Respiratory diseases

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia

Research interests

  • Immune function and susceptibility to virus infections in asthma and COPD

  • Plasmacytoid dendritic cells

    Type I interferon production Immune regulation

  • Severe asthma: towards evidence-based assessment and management

  • Innate immunity and bacterial infections of the lungs

    Bronchiectasis and chronic suppurative lung disease in children Lung health in Indigenous children

  • Allergy and immune tolerance

Research impacts

John is currently the President (2021-22) of the Thoracic Society of Australia and Zealand and is a key member of the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Asthma Treatable Traits. He has played a leadership role in organising and co-chairing three recent national symposia on severe asthma to facilitate research collaboration, build research and clinical capacity, and improve models of care for severe asthma. He has been a member of multiple advisory boards to pharmaceutical companies, both international and national (AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis, Nycomed, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Mundipharma, Menarini), and has provided advice to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. His research has provided new treatment options for severe asthma, and guided the appropriate length of antibiotic treatment for Indigenous children with pneumonia, protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis. John's research will inform best use of influenza vaccination in COPD, and guide the use of conjugate vaccines to improve immunity to Haemophilus in Indigenous children. He contributed to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the use of omalizumab and mepolizumab in Australia and he was part of the working group that prepared a web-based Severe Asthma Toolkit for the Severe Asthma CRE.

Search Professor John Upham’s works on UQ eSpace

378 works between 1983 and 2025
All (378) Journal Article (231) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (142)

321 - 340 of 378 works

2005

Journal Article

Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies

Holt, Patrick G., Upham, John W. and Sly, Peter D. (2005). Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 116 (1), 16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2005.04.017

Contemporaneous maturation of immunologic and respiratory functions during early childhood: Implications for development of asthma prevention strategies

2005

Journal Article

Environment and development of atopy

Upham, John W. and Holt, Patrick G. (2005). Environment and development of atopy. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 5 (2), 167-172. doi: 10.1097/01.all.0000162310.79555.ed

Environment and development of atopy

2005

Journal Article

The CD14 C-159T polymorphism is not associated with asthma or asthma severity in an Australian adult population

Kedda, M-A., Lose, F., Duffy, D., Bell, E., Thompson, P. J. and Upham, J. (2005). The CD14 C-159T polymorphism is not associated with asthma or asthma severity in an Australian adult population. Thorax, 60 (3), 211-214. doi: 10.1136/thx.2004.028449

The CD14 C-159T polymorphism is not associated with asthma or asthma severity in an Australian adult population

2005

Conference Publication

Airway epithelial cells from healthy children inhibit dendritic cell activation and cytokine synthesis

Rate, A., Kicic, A., Stick, S. M. and Upham, J. W. (2005). Airway epithelial cells from healthy children inhibit dendritic cell activation and cytokine synthesis. 35th Annual SCientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Immunology/14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshops, Melbourne, Australia, 29 November -2 December 2005. OXFORD: Wiley.

Airway epithelial cells from healthy children inhibit dendritic cell activation and cytokine synthesis

2005

Journal Article

Maternal reactivity to fetal alloantigens is related to newborn immune responses and subsequent allergic disease

Prescott, S. L., Taylor, A., Roper, J., Wahdan, A., Noakes, P., Thornton, C., Dunstan, J. and Upham, J. W. (2005). Maternal reactivity to fetal alloantigens is related to newborn immune responses and subsequent allergic disease. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 35 (4), 417-425. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02171.x

Maternal reactivity to fetal alloantigens is related to newborn immune responses and subsequent allergic disease

2005

Conference Publication

Influence of APC maturity on the expression of allergen specific T cell memory

Yerkovich, ST, Mus, A and Upham, JW (2005). Influence of APC maturity on the expression of allergen specific T cell memory. 35th Annual SCientific Meeting of the Australasian-Society-for-Immunology/14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshops, Melbourne AUSTRALIA, NOV 29-DEC 02, 2005. OXFORD: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.

Influence of APC maturity on the expression of allergen specific T cell memory

2005

Journal Article

Cytosine–phosphate–guanine motifs fail to promote T-helper type 1-polarized responses in human neonatal mononuclear cells

Prescott, S. L., Irwin, S., Taylor, A., Roper, J., Dunstan, J., Upham, J. W., Burgner, D. and Richmond, P. (2005). Cytosine–phosphate–guanine motifs fail to promote T-helper type 1-polarized responses in human neonatal mononuclear cells. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 35 (3), 358-366. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02187.x

Cytosine–phosphate–guanine motifs fail to promote T-helper type 1-polarized responses in human neonatal mononuclear cells

2005

Conference Publication

Numbers of circulating plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cell subsets in infancy are differentially associated with risk for respiratory viral infections and allergic sensitisation

Upham, J. W., Rate, A., Kusel, M., Sly, P. D. and Holt, P. G. (2005). Numbers of circulating plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cell subsets in infancy are differentially associated with risk for respiratory viral infections and allergic sensitisation. 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Immunology and 14th International HLA & Immunogenetics Workshop, Melbourne, Australia, 29 November-2 December 2005. OXFORD: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.

Numbers of circulating plasmacytoid and myeloid dendritic cell subsets in infancy are differentially associated with risk for respiratory viral infections and allergic sensitisation

2005

Conference Publication

Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen

Taylor, R. C., Richmond, P. and Upham, J. W. (2005). Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen. 35th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society for Immunology/14th International HLA and Immunogenetics Workshops, Melbourne, Australia, 29 November - 2 December 2005. OXFORD: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING.

Toll-like receptor 2 ligands inhibit Th2 responses to mite allergen

2004

Journal Article

HLA-DR expression on neonatal monocytes is associated with allergen-specific immune responses

Upham, John W., Holt, Patrick G., Taylor, Angie, Thornton, Catherine A. and Prescott, Susan L. (2004). HLA-DR expression on neonatal monocytes is associated with allergen-specific immune responses. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 114 (5), 1202-1208. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2004.06.051

HLA-DR expression on neonatal monocytes is associated with allergen-specific immune responses

2004

Journal Article

Functional maturation of CD4 +CD25 +CTLA4 +CD45RA + T regulatory cells in human neonatal T cell responses to environmental antigens/allergens

Thornton, C. A., Upham, J. W., Wikstrom, M. E., Holt, B. J., White, G. P., Sharp, M. J., Sly, P. D. and Holt, P. G. (2004). Functional maturation of CD4 +CD25 +CTLA4 +CD45RA + T regulatory cells in human neonatal T cell responses to environmental antigens/allergens. Journal of Immunology, 173 (5), 3084-3092. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.5.3084

Functional maturation of CD4 +CD25 +CTLA4 +CD45RA + T regulatory cells in human neonatal T cell responses to environmental antigens/allergens

2004

Journal Article

Higher Prostaglandin E2 Production by Dendritic Cells from Subjects with Asthma Compared with Normal Subjects

Long, Julie A., Fogel-Petrovic, Mirjana, Knight, Darryl A., Thompson, Philip J. and Upham, John W. (2004). Higher Prostaglandin E2 Production by Dendritic Cells from Subjects with Asthma Compared with Normal Subjects. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 170 (5), 485-491. doi: 10.1164/rccm.200311-1595OC

Higher Prostaglandin E2 Production by Dendritic Cells from Subjects with Asthma Compared with Normal Subjects

2004

Journal Article

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Asthma

Holt, P. G. and Upham, J. W. (2004). The Role of Dendritic Cells in Asthma. Current Opinion In Allergy And Clinical Immunology, 4 (1), 39-44. doi: 10.1097/00130832-200402000-00009

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Asthma

2004

Journal Article

Activated human dendritic cells express inducible cyclo-oxygenase and synthesize prostaglandin E2 but not prostaglandin D2

Fogel-Petrovic, Mirjana, Long, Julie A., Knight, Darryl A., Thompson, Philip J. and Upham, John W. (2004). Activated human dendritic cells express inducible cyclo-oxygenase and synthesize prostaglandin E2 but not prostaglandin D2. Immunology and Cell Biology, 82 (1), 47-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2004.01213.x

Activated human dendritic cells express inducible cyclo-oxygenase and synthesize prostaglandin E2 but not prostaglandin D2

2003

Journal Article

Why are dendritic cells important in allergic diseases of the respiratory tract?

Upham, John W. and Stumbles, Philip A. (2003). Why are dendritic cells important in allergic diseases of the respiratory tract?. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 100 (1), 75-87. doi: 10.1016/S0163-7258(03)00094-9

Why are dendritic cells important in allergic diseases of the respiratory tract?

2003

Journal Article

Airway dendritic cells: Co-ordinators of immunological homeostasis and immunity in the respiratory tract

Stumbles, Philip A., Upham, John W. and Holt, Patrick G. (2003). Airway dendritic cells: Co-ordinators of immunological homeostasis and immunity in the respiratory tract. APMIS, 111 (7-8), 741-755. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0463.2003.11107806.x

Airway dendritic cells: Co-ordinators of immunological homeostasis and immunity in the respiratory tract

2003

Journal Article

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Immune Regulation and Allergic Airway Inflammation

Upham, John W. (2003). The Role of Dendritic Cells in Immune Regulation and Allergic Airway Inflammation. Respirology, 8 (2), 140-148. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.2003.00465.x

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Immune Regulation and Allergic Airway Inflammation

2003

Journal Article

Dendritic cells infected with a vaccinia virus interleukin-2 vector secrete high levels of IL-2 and can become efficient antigen presenting cells that secrete high levels of the immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12

Mukherjee, Sutapa, Upham, John W., Ramshaw, Ian, Bundell, Christine, van Bruggen, Ivonne, Robinson, Bruce W. S. and Nelson, Delia J. (2003). Dendritic cells infected with a vaccinia virus interleukin-2 vector secrete high levels of IL-2 and can become efficient antigen presenting cells that secrete high levels of the immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12. Cancer Gene Therapy, 10 (8), 591-602. doi: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700604

Dendritic cells infected with a vaccinia virus interleukin-2 vector secrete high levels of IL-2 and can become efficient antigen presenting cells that secrete high levels of the immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12

2003

Journal Article

Neonatal interleukin-12 capacity is associated with variations in allergen-specific immune responses in the neonatal and postnatal periods

Prescott, S. L., Taylor, A., King, B., Dunstan, J., Upham, J. W., Thornton, C. A. and Holt, P. G. (2003). Neonatal interleukin-12 capacity is associated with variations in allergen-specific immune responses in the neonatal and postnatal periods. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 33 (5), 566-572. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01659.x

Neonatal interleukin-12 capacity is associated with variations in allergen-specific immune responses in the neonatal and postnatal periods

2002

Journal Article

Development of Interleukin-12-Producing Capacity throughout Childhood

Upham, John W., Lee, Peter T., Holt, Barbara J., Heaton, Tricia, Prescott, Susan L., Sharp, Mary J., Sly, Peter D. and Holt, Patrick G. (2002). Development of Interleukin-12-Producing Capacity throughout Childhood. Infection and Immunity, 70 (12), 6583-6588. doi: 10.1128/IAI.70.12.6583-6588.2002

Development of Interleukin-12-Producing Capacity throughout Childhood

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2021
    Reducing acute severe respiratory events in health care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic with OM85
    NHMRC MRFF Coronavirus Research Response
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    The airway epithelium in paediatric respiratory diseases
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant

Availability

Honorary Professor John Upham is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Immune dysregulation in asthma and host defence against respiratory viruses

    Our program of translational research is focussed on the study of immune function and dysfunction in asthma, and host defence against respiratory viruses, especially human rhinoviruses. We are interested in the mechanisms leading to excessive airway inflammation in asthma, and why people with asthma are unusually susceptible to asthma attacks during respiratory viral infections. Our aim is to discover new therapeutic targets in severe asthma.

    Research Projects

    • The function of key immune cells such as antigen presenting cells and NK cells
    • The role of polarizing cytokines such as IL-33, IL-25 and TSLP in altering host defence against viruses.
    • How macrolide antibiotics alter immune function

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Honorary Professor John Upham directly for media enquiries about:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Dendritic cells
  • Immunity
  • Lung infections
  • Lungs - virus infections
  • Virus infections of the lung

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