Timothy R Hercus

My research has focussed on a family of cytokines that are important for the development and function of myeloid cells. These cells and the cytokines that regulate their survival and activity are vital for a range of immune functions. Disruption of normal cytokine function is associated with a number of inflammatory diseases as well as leukaemia. Specifically, my research has been directed towards understanding how the cytokines GM-CSF and IL-3 interact with their receptors and how this interaction leads to receptor activation. Detailed knowledge of this process is vital for the targeted development of agents that can block receptor activation. Selected recent publications to December 2014; -The GM-CSF receptor family: mechanism of activation and implications for disease. Hercus TR, Broughton SE, Ekert PG, Ramshaw HS, Perugini M, Grimbaldeston M, Woodcock JM, Thomas D, Pitson S, Hughes T, D'Andrea RJ, Parker MW, Lopez AF. Growth Factors. 2012, 30:63-75. -Signalling by the βc family of cytokines. Hercus TR, Dhagat U, Kan WL, Broughton SE, Nero TL, Perugini M, Sandow JJ, D'Andrea RJ, Ekert PG, Hughes T, Parker MW, Lopez AF. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2013, 24:189-201. -Characterization of pathogenic human monoclonal autoantibodies against GM-CSF. Wang Y, Thomson CA, Allan LL, Jackson LM, Olson M, Hercus TR, Nero TL, Turner A, Parker MW, Lopez AL, Waddell TK, Anderson GP, Hamilton JA, Schrader JW. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013, 110:7832-7. - High yield production of a soluble human interleukin-3 variant from E. coli with wild-type bioactivity and improved radiolabeling properties. Hercus TR, Barry EF, Dottore M, McClure BJ, Webb AI, Lopez AF, Young IG, Murphy JM. PLoS One. 2013 Aug 26;8(8):e74376. - Dual mechanism of interleukin-3 receptor blockade by an anti-cancer antibody. Broughton SE, Hercus TR, Hardy MP, McClure BJ, Nero TL, Dottore M, Huynh H, Braley H, Barry EF, Kan WL, Dhagat U, Scotney P, Hartman D, Busfield SJ, Owczarek CM, Nash AD, Wilson NJ, Parker MW, Lopez AF. Cell Rep. 2014 Jul 24;8(2):410-9.