Dr Heather L Wilson

BSc, DPhil, FHEA

School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Lecturer in Immunity & Cardiovascular Disease

Phase 3a SSC Lead, MBChB

h.l.wilson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9560
Room K100, K Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Full contact details

Dr Heather L Wilson
School of Medicine and Population Health
Room K100, K Floor
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Glossop Road
Sheffield
S10 2JF
Profile

For enquiries, please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

My research interests are focused on the areas of dysfunctional inflammation and immunity in disease and ageing. I am interested in the changes in immune cell macrophages within the arterial plaque environment associated with increased susceptibility to acute cardiovascular disease events (heart attack and stroke). We also aim to identify how macrophage function declines with age, and how some cell functions are over-activated in autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

I have a background in Pharmacology (BSc, UCL) a PhD in cell signalling (DPhil, Oxford) and experience as post-doc and fellow working in immune cell biology. I have published in Immunity, EMBO J, Science Advances, Nature Communications, PNAS, Cardiovascular Research, Journal of Immunology amongst other journals. I have been awarded funding from UKRI (BBSRC, MRC, RCUK), Horizons 2022 EU, British Heart Foundation, Chernajovsky Foundation, Vivensa Foundation and others.

I teach students undertaking BSc, MBChB, MSc, MRes and PhD courses in the areas of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cell Biology. I am academic lead for the 6-week Student Selected Component (SSC) in Phase 3a of the MBChB medical programme. I am module deputy for Social Aspects in the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, and teach on cardiovascular disease in undergraduate courses. I run Education for Sustainable Development workshops on several teaching programmes in the School of Medicine and Population Health.

I am a unit and departmental lead for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to support unit and institutional submissions to REF2021 and REF2029.

Qualifications
  • BSc, Pharmacology, First Class, University College London.
  • DPhil in Pharmacology, University of Oxford.
  • Certificate of Higher Education, University of Sheffield. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Research interests

My research interests are in the areas of dysfunctional inflammation and immunity in disease and ageing. Our research aims to identify how macrophage function declines with age, and how some immune cell functions are over-activated in autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as lupus. I am interested in the changes in immune cell macrophages within the arterial plaque environment associated with increased susceptibility to heart attack and stroke. We study many of these processes in human primary blood cells from volunteers and patients.

Current projects

  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Project Grant. "Novel zebrafish approaches to investigate leaderless protein secretion in vivo."
  • British Heart Foundation Project Grant. "Mechanisms and consequences of in vivo targeting of IL-1 to the endothelium."
  • British Heart Foundation PhD studentship. "Regulation of the Endothelial P2X4/7 Receptor Axis.”
  • Heart Research UK. Clinical Training Fellowship (supervisor). "Neutrophil delivery of IL-1 as a mechanism of MI risk after lung infection."
  • A*Star Studentship. "Contribution of blood immune cell subtypes in inflammatory function and the development of cardiovascular disease."
  • Horizon 2020 European Commission. Marie Curie Innovative Training Network Programme Award. TRAIN ‘Tribbles Research and Innovation Network’ 2016-2021
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Moss CE, Johnston SA, Kimble JV, Clements M, Codd V, Hamby S, Goodall AH, Deshmukh S, Sudbery I, Coca D , Wilson HL et al (2024) . Cell Reports, 43(4).
  • Hernández-Quiles M, Martinez Campesino L, Morris I, Ilyas Z, Reynolds S, Soon Tan N, Sobrevals Alcaraz P, Stigter ECA, Varga Á, Varga J , van Es R et al (2023) . Molecular Metabolism, 78.
  • Moss CE, Phipps H, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2023) . Frontiers in Immunology, 14.
  • Martinez-Campesino L, Kocsy K, Cañedo J, Johnston JM, Moss CE, Johnston SA, Hamby S, Goodall AH, Redgrave J, Francis SE , Kiss-Toth E et al (2022) . Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9.
  • Johnston JM, Angyal A, Bauer RC, Hamby S, Suvarna SK, Baidžajevas K, Hegedus Z, Dear TN, Turner M, Wilson HL , Goodall AH et al (2019) . Science Advances, 5(10).
  • Li Y, James SJ, Wyllie DH, Wynne C, Czibula A, Bukhari A, Pye K, Bte Mustafah SM, Fajka-Boja R, Szabo E , Angyal A et al (2019) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(33), 16479-16488.
  • Savage AM, Kurusamy S, Chen Y, Jiang Z, Chhabria K, MacDonald RB, Kim HR, Wilson HL, van Eeden FJM, Armesilla AL , Chico TJA et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10.
  • Ogryzko NV, Lewis A, Wilson HL, Meijer AH, Renshaw SA & Elks PM (2019) . Journal of Immunology, 202(2), 494-502.
  • Green J, Souilhiol C, Xanthis I, Martinez-Campesino L, Bowden N, Evans P & Wilson H (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, 114, 324-335.
  • Li Y, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2017) . J Inflamm (Lond), 14, 11-11.
  • Hadadi E, Zhang B, Baidžajevas K, Yusof N, Puan KJ, Ong SM, Yeap WH, Rotzschke O, Kiss-Toth E, Wilson H & Wong SC (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6.
  • Ogryzko NV, Renshaw SA & Wilson HL (2014) . Dev Comp Immunol, 46(1), 53-62.
  • Ogryzko NV, Hoggett EE, Solaymani-Kohal S, Tazzyman S, Chico TJA, Renshaw SA & Wilson HL (2014) . Dis Model Mech, 7(2), 259-264.
  • Basran A, Jabeen M, Bingle L, Stokes CA, Dockrell DH, Whyte MKB, Walmsley SR, Higgins KR, Vogel SN, Wilson HL , Prince LR et al (2013) . J Leukoc Biol, 93(1), 7-19.
  • Ward JR, West PW, Ariaans MP, Parker LC, Francis SE, Crossman DC, Sabroe I & Wilson HL (2010) . J Biol Chem, 285(30), 23147-23158.
  • Ward JR, Wilson HL, Francis SE, Crossman DC & Sabroe I (2009) . Clin Exp Immunol, 156(3), 386-394.
  • Wilson HL, Varcoe RW, Stokes L, Holland KL, Francis SE, Dower SK, Surprenant A & Crossman DC (2007) . Br J Pharmacol, 151(1), 115-127.
  • Evans I, Dower SK, Francis SE, Crossman DC & Wilson HL (2006) . Cytokine, 33(5), 274-280.
  • Wilson HL, Francis SE, Dower SK & Crossman DC (2004) . J Immunol, 173(2), 1202-1208.
  • Alfaidi M, Wilson H, Daigneault M, Burnett A, Ridger V, Chamberlain J & Francis SE () . Journal of Biological Chemistry.

All publications

Journal articles

  • Moss CE, Johnston SA, Kimble JV, Clements M, Codd V, Hamby S, Goodall AH, Deshmukh S, Sudbery I, Coca D , Wilson HL et al (2024) . Cell Reports, 43(4).
  • Hernández-Quiles M, Martinez Campesino L, Morris I, Ilyas Z, Reynolds S, Soon Tan N, Sobrevals Alcaraz P, Stigter ECA, Varga Á, Varga J , van Es R et al (2023) . Molecular Metabolism, 78.
  • Moss CE, Phipps H, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2023) . Frontiers in Immunology, 14.
  • Martinez-Campesino L, Kocsy K, Cañedo J, Johnston JM, Moss CE, Johnston SA, Hamby S, Goodall AH, Redgrave J, Francis SE , Kiss-Toth E et al (2022) . Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9.
  • Niespolo C, Johnston JM, Deshmukh SR, Satam S, Shologu Z, Villacanas O, Sudbery IM, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2020) . Frontiers in Immunology, 11.
  • Baidžajevas K, Hadadi É, Lee B, Lum J, Shihui F, Sudbery I, Kiss-Tóth E, Wong SC & Wilson HL (2020) . Atherosclerosis, 305, 10-18.
  • Johnston JM, Angyal A, Bauer RC, Hamby S, Suvarna SK, Baidžajevas K, Hegedus Z, Dear TN, Turner M, Wilson HL , Goodall AH et al (2019) . Science Advances, 5(10).
  • Niespolo C, Shologu Z, Satam S, Iscaro A, Muthana M, Socorro S, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2019) . European Urology Supplements, 18(8), e3090-e3091.
  • Narayanan P, Martinez Campesino L, Kim T, Muthana M, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2019) . European Urology Supplements, 18(8), e3060-e3060.
  • Li Y, James SJ, Wyllie DH, Wynne C, Czibula A, Bukhari A, Pye K, Bte Mustafah SM, Fajka-Boja R, Szabo E , Angyal A et al (2019) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(33), 16479-16488.
  • Savage AM, Kurusamy S, Chen Y, Jiang Z, Chhabria K, MacDonald RB, Kim HR, Wilson HL, van Eeden FJM, Armesilla AL , Chico TJA et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10.
  • Ogryzko NV, Lewis A, Wilson HL, Meijer AH, Renshaw SA & Elks PM (2019) . Journal of Immunology, 202(2), 494-502.
  • Martinez Campesino L, Johnston JM, Francis SE, Kiss-Toth E & Wilson HL (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, 114(suppl_2), S2-S2.
  • Green J, Souilhiol C, Xanthis I, Martinez-Campesino L, Bowden N, Evans P & Wilson H (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, 114, 324-335.
  • Li Y, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2017) . J Inflamm (Lond), 14, 11-11.
  • Hadadi E, Zhang B, Baidžajevas K, Yusof N, Puan KJ, Ong SM, Yeap WH, Rotzschke O, Kiss-Toth E, Wilson H & Wong SC (2016) . Scientific Reports, 6.
  • Robertson A, Ogryzko N, Henry K, Loynes C, Foulkes M, Meloni M, Wang X, Ford C, Jackson M, Ingham P , Wilson HL et al (2016) . Disease Models and Mechanisms, 9(6), 621-632.
  • Hadadi E, Kiss-Toth E, Wilson HL & Wong SC (2014) . Heart, 100 Suppl 3, A117.
  • Ogryzko NV, Renshaw SA & Wilson HL (2014) . Dev Comp Immunol, 46(1), 53-62.
  • Ogryzko NV, Hoggett EE, Solaymani-Kohal S, Tazzyman S, Chico TJA, Renshaw SA & Wilson HL (2014) . Dis Model Mech, 7(2), 259-264.
  • Alfaidi M, Wilson HL, Burnett A, Abdul-Aema BH, Ridger V, Chamberlain J & Francis SE (2014) . Heart, 100 Suppl 1, A2.
  • Alfaidi M, Wilson H, Ridger V, Chamberlain J & Francis S (2014) Neutrophil elastase enhances IL-1β secretion from coronary endothelium via an endolysosomal mediated mechanism, without caspase-1 activation. ANGIOGENESIS, 17(4), 941-941.
  • Basran A, Jabeen M, Bingle L, Stokes CA, Dockrell DH, Whyte MKB, Walmsley SR, Higgins KR, Vogel SN, Wilson HL , Prince LR et al (2013) . J Leukoc Biol, 93(1), 7-19.
  • Basran AK, Bingle L, Jabeen M, Dockrell D, Wilson HL, Whyte M, Sabroe R & Sabroe I (2011) . C34. NEUTROPHILS, MAST CELLS, BASOPHILS AND EOSINOPHILS IN LUNG DISEASE, A4339-A4339.
  • Ward JR, West PW, Ariaans MP, Parker LC, Francis SE, Crossman DC, Sabroe I & Wilson HL (2010) . J Biol Chem, 285(30), 23147-23158.
  • Ward JR, Wilson HL, Francis SE, Crossman DC & Sabroe I (2009) . Clin Exp Immunol, 156(3), 386-394.
  • Wilson HL, Varcoe RW, Stokes L, Holland KL, Francis SE, Dower SK, Surprenant A & Crossman DC (2007) . Br J Pharmacol, 151(1), 115-127.
  • Evans I, Dower SK, Francis SE, Crossman DC & Wilson HL (2006) . Cytokine, 33(5), 274-280.
  • Wilson HL, Francis SE, Dower SK & Crossman DC (2004) . J Immunol, 173(2), 1202-1208.
  • Bo X, Jiang L-H, Wilson HL, Kim M, Burnstock G, Surprenant A & North RA (2003) . Mol Pharmacol, 63(6), 1407-1416.
  • Wilson HL, Wilson SA, Surprenant A & North RA (2002) . J Biol Chem, 277(37), 34017-34023.
  • Kim M, Jiang LH, Wilson HL, North RA & Surprenant A (2002) Proteomic and functional evidence for a P2X(7)receptor complex.. BIOPHYS J, 82(1), 254A-255A.
  • Kim M, Jiang LH, Wilson HL, North RA & Surprenant A (2001) . EMBO J, 20(22), 6347-6358.
  • MacKenzie A, Wilson HL, Kiss-Toth E, Dower SK, North RA & Surprenant A (2001) . Immunity, 15(5), 825-835.
  • Wilson HL, Dipp M, Thomas JM, Lad C, Galione A & Evans AM (2001) . Journal of Biological Chemistry, 276(14), 11180-11188.
  • Surprenant A, Schneider DA, Wilson HL, Galligan JJ & North RA (2000) . J Auton Nerv Syst, 81(1-3), 249-263.
  • Genazzani AA, Wilson HL & Galione A (1999) . Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 79(2), 323-326.
  • WILSON HL & GALIONE A (1998) . Biochemical Journal, 331(3), 837-843.
  • Galione A, Cui Y, Empson R, Iino S, Wilson H & Terrar D (1998) . Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 28(1), 19-30.
  • Giles H, Lansdell SJ, Bolofo M, Wilson HL & Martin GR (1996) . British Journal of Pharmacology, 117(6), 1119-1126.
  • Alfaidi M, Wilson H, Daigneault M, Burnett A, Ridger V, Chamberlain J & Francis SE () . Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Conference proceedings

  • Clements M, Moss C, Kiss-Toth E & Wilson HL (2023) . Basic Science (pp A304.2-A305)
  • Moss C, Clements M, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2023) . Basic Science (pp A278-A278)
  • Niespolo C, Salamanca Viloria J, Deshmukh S, Villacanas Perez O, Sudbery I, Wilson H & Kiss-Toth E (2019) . Basic Science (pp A156.3-A156)
  • Johnston JM, Martinez-Campesino L, Angyal A, Hadadi E, Kraus R, Wilson HL, Bauer R, Rader D, Hamby SE, Goodall AH , Francis SE et al (2019) Myeloid TRIB1 Controls Metabolic Tissue Resident Macrophage Phenotype Associated with Immuno-Metabolic Diseases. CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY, Vol. 33(2) (pp 271-271)
  • Kocsy K, Alqurashi R, Johnston JM, Baidzajevas K, Majid A, Wilson HL, Kiss-Toth E, Redgrave J & Francis SE (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, Vol. 114(suppl_2) (pp S5-S6)
  • Niespolo C, Viloria JS, Perez OV, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, Vol. 114(suppl_2) (pp S8-S8)
  • Johnston JM, Angyal A, Bauer R, Hamby SE, Suvarna SK, Baidžajevas K, Hegedus Z, Dear NT, Turner M, Wilson HL , Goodall AH et al (2018) . Cardiovascular Research, Vol. 114(suppl_2) (pp S4-S4)
  • Campesino LM, Johnston J, Kiss-Toth E & Wilson H (2018) . Basic Science (pp A89.1-A89)
  • Niespolo C, Viloria JS, Perez OV, Wilson H & Kiss-Toth E (2018) . Basic Science (pp A86.1-A86)
  • Campesino LM, Johnston JM, Francis SE, Kiss-Toth E & Wilson HL (2018) CONSEQUENCES OF TRIB3 DEFICIENCY ON EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND MACROPHAGE PHENOTYPE. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, Vol. 114 (pp S2-S2)
  • Johnston JM, Angyal A, Hadadi E, Hamby SE, Bauer R, Ilyas Z, Szili D, Ariaans M, Wilson HL, Krauss RM , Rader DJ et al (2017) . Heart, Vol. 103(Suppl 5) (pp A113.2-A113)
  • Baidzajevas K, Hadadi E, Lee B, Lum J, Sudbery I, Lai S, Wong SC, Kiss-Toth E & Wilson H (2017) . Heart, Vol. 103(Suppl 5) (pp A136.1-A136)
  • Green J, Evans P & Wilson H (2016) . Heart, Vol. 102(Suppl 6) (pp A130.1-A130)
  • Angyal A, Ilyas Z, Hadadi E, Johnston J, Ariaans M, Kraus R, Wilson H, Bauer R, Rader D, Francis S & Kiss-Toth E (2015) . Atherosclerosis, Vol. 241(1) (pp e34-e34)
  • Green J, Wilson H & Evans P (2015) . Heart, Vol. 101(Suppl 4) (pp A104.1-A104)
  • Hadadi E, Kiss-Toth E, Wilson HL & Wong SC (2015) . Basic Science (pp A101.2-A102)
  • Angyal A, Daigneault M, Hadadi E, Ariaans M, Burnett A, Wilson H, Ridger V & Kiss-Toth E (2013) . Heart, Vol. 99(suppl 2) (pp A126.1-A126)
  • Daigneault M, Angyal A, Hadadi E, Baskerville J & Wilson H (2013) . Heart, Vol. 99(suppl 2) (pp A114.2-A115)
  • Alfaidi M, Wilson H, Burnett A, Chamberlain J & Francis S (2013) . Heart, Vol. 99(suppl 2) (pp A99.2-A99)
  • Basran A, Bingle L, Dockrell D, Wilson HL, Whyte M, Sabroe R & Sabroe I (2013) Neutrophil recruitment in response to intradermal endotoxin challenge in man. LANCET, Vol. 381 (pp 22-22)
  • Wilson HL, Galione A & Evans AM (2000) Differential distribution of the enzyme activities for the synthesis and metabolism of cyclic ADP-ribose in rabbit pulmonary versus systemic artery smooth muscle:: a novel redox sensing pathway?. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 526 (pp 124P-125P)
  • Evans AM, Dipp M, Wilson HL & Galione A (2000) Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, cyclic ADP-ribose and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in rabbit pulmonary arteries:: do O2-sensing K+ channels play a supporting role?. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 528P (pp 4P-5P)
  • Wilson HL, Evans AM & Galione A (1998) Cyclic AMP and cGMP differentially regulate the production of the calcium-mobilising metabolites, nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate and cyclic ADP-ribose. BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Vol. 124 (pp U19-U19)
  • Galione A, Empson R, Genazzani A, Sethi J, Summerhill R & Wilson H (1997) Multiple mechanisms for calcium mobilization in the sea urchin egg. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, Vol. 499P (pp S5-S6)
  • Alfaidi MAA, Wilson H, Ridger, V, Chamberlain J & Francis S () Neutrophil elastase enhances IL-1 beta secretion from coronary endothelium via an endolysosomal mediated mechanism, without caspase-1 activation. ANGIOGENESIS, Vol. 17(4) (pp 941-941). California, USA, 18 October 2014 - 23 October 2014.

Preprints

  • Moss CE, Johnston S, Clements M, Codd V, Hamby S, Goodall AH, Deshmukh S, Sudbery I, Coca D, Wilson HL & Kiss-Toth E (2023) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Johnston JM, Angyal A, Bauer RC, Hamby S, Suvarna SK, Baidžajevas K, Hegedus Z, Dear TN, Turner M, Wilson HL , Goodall AH et al (2019) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Research group
  • Joshua Kimble
  • Mazen F Alhommrani
Teaching interests

I teach students undertaking BSc, MBChB, MSc, MRes and PhD courses in the areas of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cell Biology. I am academic lead for the 6-week Student Selected Component (SSC) in Phase 3a of the MBChB medical programme. I am module deputy for Social Aspects in the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, and teach on cardiovascular disease in undergraduate courses. I run Education for Sustainable Development workshops on several teaching programmes in the School of Medicine and Population Health.

Teaching activities
  • RCUK Fellow, University of Sheffield, 2005-2010
  • Lecturer, University of Sheffield, 2010-2017
  • Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield, 2018-Present
Professional activities and memberships
  • Departmental REF Lead.
  • Member of the British Atherosclerosis Society and British Society of Immunology
  • Ethics reviewer
  • Member of the Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield (formerly Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics)
  • Wellcome Trust PDRA, Laboratory of Profs Alan North & Annmarie Surprenant
  • BHF PDRA, Laboratory of Prof. Steven Dower