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Tony Kettle

Principal Investigator
Research Professor

PhD(Otago), MSc(SFU), BSc(Hons) (Otago), FRSNZ 

Email tony.kettle@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 244 1076

Research interests

For the past 25 years, we have probed the enzymology of myeloperoxidase (MPO). This haem protein gives pus and phlegm their characteristic green tinge. MPO produces chlorine bleach from hydrogen peroxide and common salt.

The knowledge from this work has helped us understand how white blood cells called neutrophils use MPO to kill bacteria. It has also revealed that chlorine bleach and free radicals contribute to inflammation.

We have shown that chlorine bleach promotes inflammatory tissue damage in cystic fibrosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. In collaboration with AstraZeneca, we have also developed specific inhibitors of MPO that are potential anti-inflammatory drugs.

Current research topics

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Cycstic fibrosis and oxidative stress

Heart Disease

Plaque developing inside a blood vessel

Neutrophils

Bacteria killing by neutrophils

Radical Reactions

Radical Reactions

Myeloperoxidase

Mechanisms of inhibition of myeloperoxidase

Biomarkers

Biomarkers of hypochlorous acid

In the media

Professor Kettle was interviewed for Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World series in October 2014.

Affiliations

Publications

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Inaugural Professorial Lecture

Tony Kettle delivers his Inaugural Professorial Lecture
Watch Professor Kettle's Inaugural Professorial Lecture, Free Radicals spark the fires of inflammation, March 2013

Publications

Kendall, C., Swaminathan, A., Borichevsky, G. M., Day, A. S., Kettle, A. J., & Gearry, R. B. (2026). Factors associated with loss of fecal biomarker accuracy during routine assessment of inflammatory bowel disease. JGH Open, 10(3), e70301. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.70301 Journal - Research Article

Winterbourn, C. C., & Kettle, A. J. (2025). Peroxidases. In C. A. McQueen (Ed.), Comprehensive toxicology. (4th ed.) (pp. 240-262). Science Direct. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-95488-4.00031-0 Chapter in Book - Research

Swaminathan, A., Hou, D., Borichevsky, G. M., Kettle, A. J., & Gearry, R. B. (2025). Author's response to comment on “Plasma calprotectin and myeloperoxidase as biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease”. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 31(11), 3242-3243. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izaf189 Journal - Research Other

Hou, D., Swaminathan, A., Borichevsky, G. M., Frampton, C. M., Kettle, A. J., & Gearry, R. B. (2025). Plasma calprotectin and myeloperoxidase as biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 31(11), 3003-3010. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izaf110 Journal - Research Article

Borichevsky, G. M., Swaminathan, A., Smith, B. R., Edwards, T. S., Ashby, L. V., Frampton, C. M. A., Day, A. S., Gearry, R. B., & Kettle, A. J. (2025). Myeloperoxidase enzyme activity in feces reflects endoscopic severity in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 31(8), 2254-2268. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izaf109 Journal - Research Article

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