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Professor Alex McLellan

PositionProfessor
DepartmentDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology
QualificationsMSc (Cant) PhD (Otago)
Research summaryCancer immunobiology

Research

CAR T cells (Chimeric Antigen Receptor-modified T cells) against solid tumours. Cancer stem cell antigens, tumour-associated antigens, and tumour microenvironment metabolites. Cytokine and chemokine receptor strategies to improve T cell function against solid tumours.

Research projects

  • Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) and NK cells targeting solid tumours
  • Dual CAR constructs against B cell malignancies and solid tumours using bi-directional promoters
  • Sleeping Beauty and Retroviral vector constructs utilising drug and auto-inducible-promoters
  • Targeting the tumour microenvironment
  • Fighting the cytokine storm
  • Improved anti-cancer T cell migration using targeted cytokines

Publications

Tan, G. M. Y., Poudel, A., Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Anti-apoptotic c-FLIP reduces the anti-tumour activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Cancers, 14(19), 4854. doi: 10.3390/cancers14194854

Saunderson, S. C., Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Noise-reduction and sensitivity-enhancement of a Sleeping Beauty-based Tet-On system [Communication]. Genes, 13, 1679. doi: 10.3390/genes13101679

Mohammad, S., Rad, A. H., Halpin, J. C., Tawinwung, S., Suppipat, K., Hirankarn, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). MicroRNA-mediated metabolic reprogramming of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Immunology & Cell Biology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12551

White, L. G., Goy, H. E., Rose, A. J., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Controlling cell trafficking: Addressing failures in CAR T and NK cell therapy of solid tumours. Cancers, 14, 978. doi: 10.3390/cancers14040978

Rad S M, A. H., Halpin, J. C., Mollaei, M., Smith Bell, S. W. J., Hirankarn, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2021). Metabolic and mitochondrial functioning in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Cancers, 13, 1229. doi: 10.3390/cancers13061229

Stoitzner, P., Romani, N., McLellan, A. D., Tripp, C. H., & Ebner, S. (2010). Isolation of skin dentritic cells from mouse and man. In S. H. Naik (Ed.), Dendritic cell protocols: Methods in Molecular Biology (Vol. 595). (2nd ed.) (pp. 235-248). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-421-0_16

Chapter in Book - Research

Tan, G. M. Y., Poudel, A., Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Anti-apoptotic c-FLIP reduces the anti-tumour activity of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Cancers, 14(19), 4854. doi: 10.3390/cancers14194854

Journal - Research Article

He, K., Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., Poudel, A., & McLellan, A. D. (2020). Compact bidirectional promoters for dual-gene expression in a sleeping beauty transposon. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21, 9256. doi: 10.3390/ijms21239256

Journal - Research Article

Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., Poudel, A., Tan, G. M. Y., & McLellan, A. D. (2020). Optimisation of Tet-On inducible systems for Sleeping Beauty-based chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) applications. Scientific Reports, 10, 13125. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70022-0

Journal - Research Article

Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., Tan, G. M. Y., Poudel, A., He, K., & McLellan, A. D. (2020). Regulation of human Mcl-1 by a divergently-expressed antisense transcript. Gene, 762, 145016. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145016

Journal - Research Article

Rad S M, A. H., & McLellan, A. D. (2020). Implications of SARS-CoV-2 mutations for genomic RNA structure and host microRNA targeting. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21, 4807. doi: 10.3390/ijms21134807

Journal - Research Article

Rad S M, A. H., Poudel, A., Tan, G. M. Y., & McLellan, A. D. (2020). Promoter choice: Who should drive the CAR in T cells? PLoS ONE, 15(7), e0232915. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232915

Journal - Research Article

Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., Kennedy, B. R., Saunderson, S. C., Buchanan, C. R., Dunn, A. C., Faed, J. M., & McLellan, A. D. (2017). Mechanistic insight into the procoagulant activity of tumor-derived apoptotic vesicles. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: General Subjects, 1861(2), 286-295. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.020

Journal - Research Article

Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., Saunderson, S. C., Dunn, A. C., & McLellan, A. D. (2017). Melanoma growth and lymph node metastasis is independent of host CD169 expression. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications, 486(4), 965-970. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.138

Journal - Research Article

Saunderson, S. C., & McLellan, A. D. (2017). Role of lymphocyte subsets in the immune response to primary B cell-derived exosomes. Journal of Immunology, 199(7), 2225-2235. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601537

Journal - Research Article

Black, L. V. C., Saunderson, S. C., Coutinho, F. P., Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., Damani, T. T., Dunn, A. C., & McLellan, A. D. (2016). The CD169 sialoadhesin molecule mediates cytotoxic T-cell responses to tumour apoptotic vesicles. Immunology & Cell Biology, 94, 430-438. doi: 10.1038/icb.2015.111

Journal - Research Article

Jemon, K., Leong, C.-M., Ly, K., Young, S. L., McLellan, A. D., & Hibma, M. H. (2016). Suppression of the CD8 T cell response by human papillomavirus type 16 E7 occurs in Langerhans cell-depleted mice. Scientific Reports, 6, 34789. doi: 10.1038/srep34789

Journal - Research Article

Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., Saunderson, S. C., Dunn, A. C., Faed, J. M., Kleffmann, T., & McLellan, A. D. (2016). Procoagulant and immunogenic properties of melanoma exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic vesicles. Oncotarget, 7(35), 56279-56294. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.10783

Journal - Research Article

Bouwer, A. L., Saunderson, S. C., Caldwell, F. J., Damani, T. T., Pelham, S. J., Dunn, A. C., Jack, R. W., … McLellan, A. D. (2014). NK cells are required for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy at the time of tumor challenge. Journal of Immunology, 192(5), 2514-2521. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202797

Journal - Research Article

Dunn, E. A., Roxburgh, M., Larsen, L., Smith, R. A. J., McLellan, A. D., Heikal, A., Murphy, M. P., & Cook, G. M. (2014). Incorporation of triphenylphosphonium functionality improves the inhibitory properties of phenothiazine derivatives in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 22(19), 5320-5328. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2014.07.050

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D. (2014). A critical role for natural killer cells in dendritic cellbased anticancer immunotherapy. OncoImmunology, 3(4), e28582. doi: 10.4161/onci.28582

Journal - Research Article

Saunderson, S. C., Dunn, A. C., Crocker, P. R., & McLellan, A. D. (2014). CD169 mediates the capture of exosomes in spleen and lymph node. Blood, 13(2), 208-216. doi: 10.1182/blood-2013-03-489732

Journal - Research Article

Tannock, G. W., Taylor, C., Lawley, B., Loach, D., Gould, M., Dunn, A. C., McLellan, A. D., Black, M. A., McNoe, L., Dekker, J., … Collett, M. A. (2014). Altered transcription of murine genes induced in the small bowel by administration of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 80(9), 2851-2859. doi: 10.1128/aem.00336-14

Journal - Research Article

Bouwer, A. L., Saunderson, S. C., Dunn, A. C., Lester, K. L., Crowley, L. R., Jack, R. W., & McLellan, A. D. (2013). Rapid interferon-gamma release from natural killer cells induced by a streptococcal commensal. Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 33(8), 459-466. doi: 10.1089/jir.2012.0116

Journal - Research Article

Czepluch, W., Dunn, A. C., Everitt, C. L., Dorer, D., Saunderson, S. C., Aldwell, F. E., & McLellan, A. D. (2013). Extracellular forms of Mycobacterium bovis BCG in the mucosal lymphatic tissues following oral vaccination. International Journal of Mycobacteriology, 2(1), 44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2012.11.004

Journal - Research Article

Ting, Y.-T., Coates, P. T., Walker, R. J., & McLellan, A. D. (2012). Urinary tubular biomarkers as potential early predictors of renal allograft rejection. Nephrology, 17(1), 11-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2011.01536.x

Journal - Research Article

Baker, N. J., Schofield, J. C., Caswell, M. D., & McLellan, A. D. (2011). Effects of early atipamezole reversal of medetomidine—ketamine anesthesia in mice. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 50(6), 916-920.

Journal - Research Article

Nixon, G., Blattner, K., Dawson, J., Dovey, S., Black, M. A., Wilkins, G., Dunn, A. C., & McLellan, A. D. (2011). Streptokinase antibodies in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome in three rural New Zealand populations. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 64, 426-429. doi: 10.1136/jcp.2010.085837

Journal - Research Article

Bouwer, A. L., Netter, P., Kemp, R. A., & McLellan, A. D. (2010). A defined serum-free medium useful for monitoring anti-melanoma responses induced by dendritic cell immunotherapy. Journal of Immunological Methods, 352, 178-181. doi: 10.1016/j.jim.2009.11.001

Journal - Research Article

Temme, S., Eis-Hübinger, A. M., McLellan, A. D., & Koch, N. (2010). The herpes simplex virus-1 encoded glycoprotein B diverts HLA-DR into the exosome pathway. Journal of Immunology, 184(1), 236-243. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902192

Journal - Research Article

Ting, Y. T., Coates, T. P., Marti, H. P., Dunn, A. C., Parker, R. M., Pickering, J. W., Jack, R. W., Kemp, R. A., Walker, R. J., & McLellan, A. D. (2010). Urinary soluble HLA-DR is a potential biomarker for acute renal transplant rejection. Transplantation, 89(9), 1071-1078. doi: 10.1097/TP.0b013e3181d15492

Journal - Research Article

Ting, Y. T., Temme, S., Koch, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2009). A new monoclonal antibody recognizing a linear determinant on the HLA-DRα chain N-terminus. Hybridoma, 28(6), 423-429. doi: 10.1089/hyb.2009.0050

Journal - Research Article

Gebhard, S., Hümpel, A., McLellan, A. D., & Cook, G. M. (2008). The alternative sigma factor SigF of Mycobacterium smegmatis is required for survival of heat shock, acidic pH and oxidative stress. Microbiology, 154(Pt 9), 2786-2795. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.2008/018044-0

Journal - Research Article

Saunderson, S. C., Schuberth, P. C., Dunn, A. C., Miller, L., Hock, B. D., MacKay, P. A., … Jack, R. W., & McLellan, A. D. (2008). Induction of exosome release in primary B cells stimulated via CD40 and the IL-4 receptor. Journal of Immunology, 180(12), 8146-8152.

Journal - Research Article

Dorer, D. E., Czepluch, W., Lambeth, M. R., Dunn, A. C., Reitinger, C., Aldwell, F. E., & McLellan, A. D. (2007). Lymphatic tracing and T cell responses following oral vaccination with live Mycobacterium bovis (BCG). Cellular Microbiology, 9(2), 544-553.

Journal - Research Article

Koch, N., McLellan, A. D., & Neumann, J. (2007). A revised model for invariant chain-mediated assembly of MHC class II peptide receptors. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 32(12), 532-537.

Journal - Research Article

O'Donnell, J. L., Hayman, M. W., Spellerberg, M. B., McLellan, A. D., Brooksbank, K., Chapman, P. T., & Stamp, L. K. (2007). Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody measurement: Advantages and disadvantages of a capture PR3 ELISA and a direct PR3 ELISA. Pathology, 39(2), 258-263.

Journal - Research Article

MacKay, P. A., LeibundGut-Landmann, S., Koch, N., Dunn, A. C., Reith, W., Jack, R. W., & McLellan, A. D. (2006). Circulating, soluble forms of major histocompatability complex antigens are not exosome-associated. European Journal of Immunology, 36, 2875-2884.

Journal - Research Article

Aldwell, F. E., Baird, M. A., Fitzpatrick, C. E., McLellan, A. D., Cross, M. L., Lambeth, M. R., & Buchan, G. S. (2005). Oral vaccination of mice with lipid-encapsulated Mycobacterium bovis BCG: Anatomical sites of bacterial replication and immune activity [Brief communication]. Immunology & Cell Biology, 83, 549-553.

Journal - Research Article

Douillard, P., Stoitzner, P., Tripp, C. H., Clair-Moninot, V., Ait-Yahia, S., McLellan, A. D., … Saeland, S. (2005). Mouse lymphoid tissu contains distinct subsets of langerin/CD207+ dendritic cells, only one of which represents epidermal-derived langerhans cells. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 125, 983-994.

Journal - Research Article

Hock, B. D., Roberts, G., McKenzie, J. L., Gokhale, P., Salm, N., McLellan, A. D., Patton, N. W., & Roake, J. A. (2005). Exposure to the electrofusion process can increase the immunogenicity of human cells. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 54, 880-890.

Journal - Research Article

Kammerer, U., Eggert, A. O., Kapp, M., McLellan, A. D., Geijtenbeek, T. B. H., Dietl, J., … Kampgen, E. (2003). Unique appearance of proliferating antigen-presenting cells expressing DC-SIGN (CD209) in the decidua of early human pregnancy. American Journal of Pathology, 162(3), 887-896.

Journal - Research Article

Leverkus, M., McLellan, A. D., Heldmann, M., Eggert, A. O., Brocker, E. B., Koch, N., & Kampgen, E. (2003). MHC class II-mediated apoptosis in dendritic cells: A role for membrane-associated and mitochondrial signaling pathways. International Immunology, 15(8), 993-1006.

Journal - Research Article

Stoitzner, P., Holzmann, S., McLellan, A. D., Ivarsson, L., Stossel, H., Kapp, M., … Romani, N. (2003). Visualization and characterization of migratory langerhans cells in murine skin and lymph nodes by antibodies against langerin/CD207. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 120, 266-274.

Journal - Research Article

Eggert, A. O., Becker, J. C., Ammon, M., McLellan, A. D., Renner, G., Merkel, A., … Kampgen, E. (2002). Specific peptide-mediated immunity against established melanoma tumors with dendritic cells requires IL-2 and fetal calf serum-free cell culture. European Journal of Immunology, 32(1), 122-127.

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D., Kapp, M., Eggert, A., Linden, C., Bommhardt, U., Brocker, E. B., … Kampgen, E. (2002). Anatomic location and T-cell simulatory functions of mouse dendritic cell subsets defined by CD4 and CD8 expression. Blood, 99(6), 2084-2093.

Journal - Research Article

Kolb-Maurer, A., Pilgrim, S., Kampgen, E., McLellan, A. D., Brocker, E. B., Goebel, W., & Gentschev, I. (2001). Antibodies against listerial protein 60 act as an opsonin for phagocytosis of listeria monocytogenes by human dendritic cells. Infection & Immunity, 69(5), 3100-3109.

Journal - Research Article

Schrama, D., Straten, P., Fischer, W. H., McLellan, A. D., Brocker, E. B., Reisfeld, R. A., & Becker, J. C. (2001). Targeting of lymphotoxin-alpha to the tumor elicits an efficient immune response associated with induction of peripheral lymphoid-like tissue. Immunity, 14(2), 111-121.

Journal - Research Article

El Sherbini, H., Hock, B., Fearnley, D., McLellan, A., Vuckovic, S., & Hart, D. N. J. (2000). Lectin ligands on human dendritic cells and identification of a peanut agglutinin positive subset in blood. Cellular Immunology, 200, 36-44. doi: 10.1006/cimm.1999.1612

Journal - Research Article

Kammerer, U., Schoppet, M., McLellan, A. D., Kapp, M., Huppertz, H. I., Kampgen, E., & Dietl, J. (2000). Human decidua contains potent immunostimulatory CD83(+) dendritic cells. American Journal of Pathology, 157(1), 159-169.

Journal - Research Article

Kato, M., Neil, T. K., Fearnley, D. B., McLellan, A. D., Vuckovic, S., & Hart, D. N. J. (2000). Expression of multilectin receptors and comparative FITC-dextran uptake by human dendritic cells. International Immunology, 12(11), 1511-1519. doi: 10.1093/intimm/12.11.1511

Journal - Research Article

Leverkus, M., Walczak, H., McLellan, A., Fries, H. W., Terbeck, G., Brocker, E. B., & Kampgen, E. (2000). Maturation of dendritic cells leads to up-regulation of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein and concomitant down-regulation of death ligand-mediated apoptosis. Blood, 96(7), 2628-2631.

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D., Terbeck, G., Mengling, T., Starling, G. C., Kiener, P. A., Gold, R., … Kampgen, E. (2000). Differential susceptibility to CD95 (Apo-1/Fas) and MHC class II-induced apoptosis during murine dendritic cell development. Cell Death & Differentiation, 7(10), 933-938.

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A., Heldmann, M., Terbeck, G., Weih, F., Linden, C., Brocker, E. B., … Kampgen, E. (2000). MHC class II and CD40 play opposing roles in dendritic cell survival. European Journal of Immunology, 30(9), 2612-2619.

Journal - Research Article

Hock, B. D., Fearnley, D. B., Boyce, A., McLellan, A. D., Sorg, R. V., Summers, K., & Hart, D. N. J. (1999). Human dendritic cells express a 95 kDa activation/differentiation antigen defined by CMRF-56. Tissue Antigens, 53(4), 320-334. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0039.1999.530402.x

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D., Heiser, A., & Hart, D. N. J. (1999). Induction of dendritic cell costimulator molecule expression is suppressed by T cells in the absence of antigen specific signalling: Role of cluster formation, CD40 and HLA-Class II for dendritic cell activation. Immunology, 98(2), 171-180. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1999.00860.x

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D., Heiser, A., Sorg, R. V., Fearnley, D. B., & Hart, D. N. J. (1998). Dermal dendritic cells associated with T lymphocytes in normal human skin display an activated phenotype. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 111(5), 841-849. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1998.00375.x

Journal - Research Article

Sorg, R. V., McLellan, A. D., Hock, B. D., Fearnley, D. B., & Hart, D. N. J. (1998). Human dendritic cells express functional interleukin-7. Immunobiology, 198(5), 514-526. doi: 10.1016/S0171-2985(98)80075-2

Journal - Research Article

Fearnley, D. B., McLellan, A. D., Mannering, S. I., Hock, B. D., & Hart, D. N. J. (1997). Isolation of human blood dendritic cells using the CMRF-44 monoclonal antibody: implications for studies on antigen-presenting cell function and immunotherapy. Blood, 89(10), 3708-3726.

Journal - Research Article

McLellan, A. D., Sorg, R. V., Williams, L. A., & Hart, D. N. J. (1996). Human dendritic cells activate T lymphocytes via a CD40 : CD40 ligand-dependent pathway. European Journal of Immunology, 26, 1204-1210.

Journal - Research Article

Williams, L. A. M., McLellan, A. D., Summers, K., Sorg, R. V., Fearnley, D. B., & Hart, D. N. J. (1996). Identification of a novel dendritic cell surface antigen defined by carbohydrate specific CD24 antibody cross-reactivity. Immunology, 89, 120-125.

Journal - Research Article

Mohammad, S., Rad, A. H., Halpin, J. C., Tawinwung, S., Suppipat, K., Hirankarn, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). MicroRNA-mediated metabolic reprogramming of chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Immunology & Cell Biology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12551

Journal - Research Other

Saunderson, S. C., Hosseini Rad, S. M. A., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Noise-reduction and sensitivity-enhancement of a Sleeping Beauty-based Tet-On system [Communication]. Genes, 13, 1679. doi: 10.3390/genes13101679

Journal - Research Other

White, L. G., Goy, H. E., Rose, A. J., & McLellan, A. D. (2022). Controlling cell trafficking: Addressing failures in CAR T and NK cell therapy of solid tumours. Cancers, 14, 978. doi: 10.3390/cancers14040978

Journal - Research Other

Rad S M, A. H., Halpin, J. C., Mollaei, M., Smith Bell, S. W. J., Hirankarn, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2021). Metabolic and mitochondrial functioning in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Cancers, 13, 1229. doi: 10.3390/cancers13061229

Journal - Research Other

McLellan, A. D., & Hosseini Rad, S. M. A. (2019). Chimeric antigen receptor T cell persistence and memory cell formation. Immunology & Cell Biology, 97, 664-674. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12254

Journal - Research Other

Weinkove, R., George, P., Dasyam, N., & McLellan, A. D. (2019). Selecting costimulatory domains for chimeric antigen receptors: Functional and clinical considerations. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 8(5), e1049. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1049

Journal - Research Other

Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., & McLellan, A. D. (2018). Apoptotic vesicles: Deathly players in cancer-associated coagulation. Immunology & Cell Biology, 96(7), 723-732. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12162

Journal - Research Other

Muhsin-Sharafaldine, M.-R., & McLellan, A. D. (2018). Tumor-derived apoptotic vesicles: With death they do part. Frontiers in Immunology, 9, 957. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00957

Journal - Research Other

McLellan, A. D. (2009). Exosome release by primary B cells. Critical Reviews in Immunology, 29(3), 203-217.

Journal - Research Other

McLellan, A. D. (2009). Monoclonal antibody 1C4.6 against the HLA DRα N-terminus. Hybridoma, 28(6), 468. doi: 10.1089/hyb.2009.0062.MAb

Journal - Research Other

McLellan, A. D., & Kampgen, E. (2000). Functions of myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells [Review]. Immunology Letters, 72(2), 101-105.

Journal - Research Other

McLellan, A. D., Brocker, E. B., & Kampgen, E. (2000). Dendritic cell activation by danger and antigen specific T-cell signalling [Review]. Experimental Dermatology, 9(5), 313-322.

Journal - Research Other

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