Molecular regulators of the alarmin IL-33 in health and disease

The protein IL-33 acts as a messenger for the immune system. It is released when damage occurs, and activates immune cells to fight off infection and heal damage. IL-33 is important in a large range of diseases - IL-33 release suppresses weight gain and is required to eject parasitic worms, but conversely induces allergic diseases such as asthma, and is thought to have a role in the inflammatory response to Covid-19. In this project, we will investigate how IL-33 responses are controlled. We have found that parasitic worms, in an effort to survive immune system assault, suppress IL-33 responses - we will investigate how they do this at the molecular level. Conversely, we will investigate how the immune system stabilises IL-33 in the blood, sustaining its effects. Lastly, we will investigate which cells of the immune system respond to IL-33 in different organs, and how the parasite affects these.