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

377 works between 1983 and 2025
All (377) Journal Article (230) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (142)

101 - 120 of 377 works

2018

Journal Article

Optimising treatment for severe asthma

Upham, John W. and Chung, Li Ping (2018). Optimising treatment for severe asthma. Medical Journal of Australia, 209 (2 Suppl), S22-S27. doi: 10.5694/mja18.00175

Optimising treatment for severe asthma

2018

Journal Article

Sputum cytology during late-phase responses to inhalation challenge with different allergens

Revez, J. A., Killian, K. J., O'Byrne, P. M., Boulet, L-P., Upham, J. W., Gauvreau, G. M. and Ferreira, M. A. R. (2018). Sputum cytology during late-phase responses to inhalation challenge with different allergens. Allergy, 73 (7), 1470-1478. doi: 10.1111/all.13415

Sputum cytology during late-phase responses to inhalation challenge with different allergens

2018

Journal Article

PGD2/DP2 receptor activation promotes severe viral bronchiolitis by suppressing IFN-λ production

Werder, Rhiannon B., Lynch, Jason P., Simpson, Jennifer C., Zhang, Vivian, Hodge, Nick H., Poh, Matthew, Forbes-Blom, Elizabeth, Kulis, Christina, Smythe, Mark L., Upham, John W., Spann, Kirsten, Everard, Mark L. and Phipps, Simon (2018). PGD2/DP2 receptor activation promotes severe viral bronchiolitis by suppressing IFN-λ production. Science Translational Medicine, 10 (440) eaao0052, eaao0052. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aao0052

PGD2/DP2 receptor activation promotes severe viral bronchiolitis by suppressing IFN-λ production

2018

Journal Article

Chronic IL-33 expression predisposes to virus-induced asthma exacerbations by increasing type 2 inflammation and dampening antiviral immunity

Werder, Rhiannon B, Zhang, Vivian, Lynch, Jason P, Snape, Natale, Upham, John W, Spann, Kirsten and Phipps, Simon (2018). Chronic IL-33 expression predisposes to virus-induced asthma exacerbations by increasing type 2 inflammation and dampening antiviral immunity. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 141 (5), 1607-1619.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.07.051

Chronic IL-33 expression predisposes to virus-induced asthma exacerbations by increasing type 2 inflammation and dampening antiviral immunity

2018

Journal Article

Airway cells from protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis share similar gene expression profiles

Chen, Alice C. -H., Pena, Olga M., Nel, Hendrik J., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Chang, Anne B., Baines, Katherine J., Gibson, Peter G., Petsky, Helen L., Pizzutto, Susan J., Hodge, Sandra, Masters, Ian B., Buntain, Helen L. and Upham, John W. (2018). Airway cells from protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis share similar gene expression profiles. Pediatric Pulmonology, 53 (5), 575-582. doi: 10.1002/ppul.23984

Airway cells from protracted bacterial bronchitis and bronchiectasis share similar gene expression profiles

2018

Journal Article

Working while unwell: Workplace impairment in people with severe asthma

Hiles, S. A., Harvey, E. S., McDonald, V. M., Peters, M., Bardin, P., Reynolds, P. N., Upham, J. W., Baraket, M., Bhikoo, Z., Bowden, J., Brockway, B., Chung, L. P., Cochrane, B., Foxley, G., Garrett, J., Hew, M., Jayaram, L., Jenkins, C., Katelaris, C., Katsoulotos, G., Koh, M. S., Kritikos, V., Lambert, M., Langton, D., Rivero, A. L., Marks, G. B., Middleton, P. G., Nanguzgambo, A., Radhakrishna, N. ... Gibson, P. G. (2018). Working while unwell: Workplace impairment in people with severe asthma. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 48 (6), 650-662. doi: 10.1111/cea.13153

Working while unwell: Workplace impairment in people with severe asthma

2018

Conference Publication

SEVERE EOSINOPHILIC AASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN MEPOLIZUMAB REGISTRY

Harvey, E., Langton, D., Upham, J., Hew, M., Rimmer, J., Chung, L., Katelaris, C., James, A. and Gibson, P. (2018). SEVERE EOSINOPHILIC AASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN MEPOLIZUMAB REGISTRY. HOBOKEN: WILEY.

SEVERE EOSINOPHILIC AASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA: THE AUSTRALIAN MEPOLIZUMAB REGISTRY

2018

Conference Publication

IL-33 and rhinovirus effects on IL-33 receptor expression in asthma

Upham, J., Jurak, L. and Xi, Y. (2018). IL-33 and rhinovirus effects on IL-33 receptor expression in asthma. The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting, ,, Adelaide, Australia, 23–27 March 2018. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley.

IL-33 and rhinovirus effects on IL-33 receptor expression in asthma

2018

Conference Publication

The impact of TLR7 and TLR8 gene variations on antiviral immunity and asthma

Murray, L. M., Ferreira, M. A. and Upham, J. W. (2018). The impact of TLR7 and TLR8 gene variations on antiviral immunity and asthma. Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Munich, Germany, 26-30 May 2018 . Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

The impact of TLR7 and TLR8 gene variations on antiviral immunity and asthma

2018

Journal Article

Multiple inflammasomes may regulate the interleukin-1-driven inflammation in protracted bacterial bronchitis

Chen, Alice C. -H., Tran, Hai B., Xi, Yang, Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Baines, Katherine J., Pizzutto, Susan J., Carroll, Melanie, Robertson, Avril A. B., Cooper, Matthew A., Schroder, Kate, Simpson, Jodie L., Gibson, Peter G., Hodge, Greg, Masters, Ian B., Buntain, Helen M., Petsky, Helen L., Prime, Samantha J., Chang, Anne B., Hodge, Sandra and Upham, John W. (2018). Multiple inflammasomes may regulate the interleukin-1-driven inflammation in protracted bacterial bronchitis. ERJ Open Research, 4 (1) 00130-2017, 00130-2017. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00130-2017

Multiple inflammasomes may regulate the interleukin-1-driven inflammation in protracted bacterial bronchitis

2018

Conference Publication

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB)-long-term outcomes at five years: a cohort study

Ruffles, T., Marchant, J., Buntain, H., Mastera,, Upham, J., Yerkovich, S., Gibson, P., Baines, K., Simpson, J., Pizzutto, S., Hodge, G., Hodge, S. and Chang, A. (2018). Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB)-long-term outcomes at five years: a cohort study. 55th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Aust and NZ Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 23-27 March 2018. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell.

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB)-long-term outcomes at five years: a cohort study

2018

Conference Publication

A single bout of moderate-intensity exercise reduces eosinophilic airway inflammation in inactive adults with asthma, while vigorous-intensity exercise has no effect

Scott, H., Wood, L. and Upham, J. (2018). A single bout of moderate-intensity exercise reduces eosinophilic airway inflammation in inactive adults with asthma, while vigorous-intensity exercise has no effect. ANZSRS/TSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia, 23-27 March 2018. Richmond, VIC, Australia: Wiley-Blackwell.

A single bout of moderate-intensity exercise reduces eosinophilic airway inflammation in inactive adults with asthma, while vigorous-intensity exercise has no effect

2018

Conference Publication

Differential effects of IL-33 on anti-viral immune responses in asthmatic and healthy individuals

Upham, J. W., Jurak, L. and Xi, Y. (2018). Differential effects of IL-33 on anti-viral immune responses in asthmatic and healthy individuals. International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, San Diego, CA, United States, 18-23 May, 2018. New York, NY, United States: American Thoracic Society.

Differential effects of IL-33 on anti-viral immune responses in asthmatic and healthy individuals

2017

Journal Article

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells protect from viral bronchiolitis and asthma through semaphorin 4a-mediated T reg expansion

Lynch, Jason P., Werder, Rhiannon B., Loh, Zhixuan, Sikder, Md Al Amin, Curren, Bodie, Zhang, Vivian, Rogers, Matthew J. , Lane, Katie, Simpson, Jennifer, Mazzone, Stuart B., Spann, Kirsten, Hayball, John, Diener, Kerrilyn, Everard, Mark L., Blyth, Christopher C., Forstner, Christian, Dennis, Paul G., Murtaza, Nida, Morrison, Mark, Ó Cuív, Páraic, Zhang, Ping, Haque, Ashraful, Hill, Geoffrey R., Sly, Peter D., Upham, John W. and Phipps, Simon (2017). Plasmacytoid dendritic cells protect from viral bronchiolitis and asthma through semaphorin 4a-mediated T reg expansion. The Journal of Experimental Medicine, 215 (2), 537-557. doi: 10.1084/jem.20170298

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells protect from viral bronchiolitis and asthma through semaphorin 4a-mediated T reg expansion

2017

Journal Article

Critical role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in regulating gene expression and innate immune responses to human rhinovirus-16

Xi, Yang, Troy, Niamh M., Anderson, Denise, Pena, Olga M., Lynch, Jason P., Phipps, Simon, Bosco, Anthony and Upham, John W. (2017). Critical role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in regulating gene expression and innate immune responses to human rhinovirus-16. Frontiers in Immunology, 8 (OCT) 1351, 1351. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01351

Critical role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in regulating gene expression and innate immune responses to human rhinovirus-16

2017

Journal Article

Presence of atopy increases the risk of asthma relapse

Teoh, Laurel, Mackay, Ian M, Van Asperen, Peter P, Acworth, Jason P, Hurwitz, Mark, Upham, John W, Siew, Weng Hou, Wang, Claire Y T, Sloots, Theo P, Neeman, Teresa and Chang, Anne B (2017). Presence of atopy increases the risk of asthma relapse. Archives of disease in childhood, 103 (4), 346-351. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-312982

Presence of atopy increases the risk of asthma relapse

2017

Journal Article

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy within hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention - a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Gupta, D., Winckel, K., Burrows, J., Ross, J. and Upham, J. W. (2017). Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy within hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention - a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Journal of Smoking Cessation, 12 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.1017/jsc.2015.14

Utilisation of nicotine replacement therapy within hospital pharmacist initiated smoking-cessation intervention - a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

2017

Journal Article

Cytokine responses to two common respiratory pathogens in children are dependent on interleukin-1β

Chen, Alice C.-H., Xi, Yang, Carroll, Melanie, Petsky, Helen L., Gardiner, Samantha J., Pizzutto, Susan J., Yerkovich, Stephanie T., Baines, Katherine J., Gibson, Peter G., Hodge, Sandra, Masters, Ian B., Buntain, Helen M., Chang, Anne B. and Upham, John W. (2017). Cytokine responses to two common respiratory pathogens in children are dependent on interleukin-1β. ERJ Open Research, 3 (4) 00025-2017, 00025-2017. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00025-2017

Cytokine responses to two common respiratory pathogens in children are dependent on interleukin-1β

2017

Conference Publication

Sputum IL-1 beta is reduced with Azithromycin add-on therapy in patients with poorly controlled asthma

Simpson, Jodie, Powell, Heather, Pabreja, Kavita, Yang, Ian, Upham, John, Reynolds, Paul, Hodge, Sandra, James, Alan, Jenkins, Christine, Peters, Matthew, Marks, Guy, Gibson, Peter and Baraket, Melissa (2017). Sputum IL-1 beta is reduced with Azithromycin add-on therapy in patients with poorly controlled asthma. European-Respiratory-Society (ERS) International Congress, Milan Italy, Sep 09-13, 2017. SHEFFIELD: EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY SOC JOURNALS LTD. doi: 10.1183/1393003.congress-2017.PA4029

Sputum IL-1 beta is reduced with Azithromycin add-on therapy in patients with poorly controlled asthma

2017

Journal Article

Effect of azithromycin on asthma exacerbations and quality of life in adults with persistent uncontrolled asthma (AMAZES): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Gibson, Peter G., Yang, Ian A., Upham, John W., Reynolds, Paul N., Hodge, Sandra, James, Alan L., Jenkins, Christine, Peters, Matthew J., Marks, Guy B., Baraket, Melissa, Powell, Heather, Taylor, Steven L., Leong, Lex E. X., Rogers, Geraint B. and Simpson, Jodie L. (2017). Effect of azithromycin on asthma exacerbations and quality of life in adults with persistent uncontrolled asthma (AMAZES): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet, 390 (10095), 659-668. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31281-3

Effect of azithromycin on asthma exacerbations and quality of life in adults with persistent uncontrolled asthma (AMAZES): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

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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