John Worthington

John Worthington

Senior Lecturer in Infection Biology, Lancaster University
The intestinal epithelium offers the first interaction between commensal bacteria, pathogens and our bodies’ largest immune system. Inappropriate immune responses drive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or excessive inflammation during infection. My research focuses on the epithelial enteroendocrine cells (EECs), which release peptide hormones in response to nutrients allowing their efficient digestion. EEC alterations are strongly associated with inflammation, yet the possibility of interactions between our gut’s endocrine and immune systems remains overlooked. Understanding the mechanistic cross-talk between enteroendocrine and immune cells will identify the immunoendocrine axis as a key feature of intestinal health which could be therapeutically targeted during disease.

More from this expert

A middle-aged man from Florida with a history of migraines saw his GP. After the CT scan, something alarming was revealed: his brain was infested with tapeworm cysts...

Clinical Articles iconClinical Articles

Last chance - $155 special ends midnight Sunday!

This is your last chance to secure discounted registration to both national seminars before prices increase on Monday! You're invited to attend Australia's most popular seminars for GPs and healthcare professionals.

Upcoming Healthed Webcast

Autism Assessment in the GP Setting

Tuesday 17th February, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Prof Tony Attwood

Clinical Psychologist; Adjunct Professor, Griffith University, Queensland; Senior Consultant, Minds and Hearts Clinic, Brisbane

Start your clinical year with momentum. Join Prof Tony Attwood for an expert session on autism assessment in GP. Earn up to 4 hours CPD. RACGP & ACRRM accredited.