Dr Nina Dickerhof, Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch, University of Otago, New Zealand

Principal Investigator
Senior Research Fellow

MSc(Germany) PhD(Otago)

Email nina.dickerhof@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 364 0568

Research interests

Dr Nina Dickerhof's research is focused on neutrophil-derived oxidants and their role in health and disease. Her specialist expertise is mass spectrometry and its application to measuring oxidative modification of proteins, peptides and small molecules. She is interested in the development of biomarkers of neutrophil-derived oxidative stress in inflammatory and infectious disease with a particular focus on cystic fibrosis lung disease.

Dr Dickerhof is also studying the functional implications of oxidative modifications of proteins present at inflammatory sites, such as the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and the neutrophil-resident antibacterial protein calprotectin.

More recently, she has become interested in understanding how bacteria protect themselves from oxidants produced by the immune system with a special interest in the role of bacterial low molecular weight thiols.

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Publications

Shearer, H. L., Loi, V. V., Weiland, P., Bange, G., Altegoer, F., Hampton, M. B., … Dickerhof, N. (2023). MerA functions as a hypothiocyanous acid reductase and defense mechanism in Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular Microbiology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/mmi.15035

Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2023). Inside the phagosome: A bacterial perspective. Immunological Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imr.13182

Kettle, A. J., Ashby, L. V., Winterbourn, C. C., & Dickerhof, N. (2023). Superoxide: The enigmatic chemical chameleon in neutrophil biology [Invited review]. Immunological Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imr.13183

Ashby, L. V., Dickerhof, N., Springer, R., Hampton, M. B., & Kettle, A. J. (2022, August). Bacterial resistance to oxidants in neutrophil phagosomes. Poster session presented at the Webster Centre for Infectious Diseases Satellite Meeting: Queenstown Research Week, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Shearer, H. L., Parker, H. A., Pace, P. E., Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2022, August). Sensitising Streptococcus pneumoniae to oxidative stress. Poster session presented at the Webster Centre for Infectious Diseases Satellite Meeting: Queenstown Research Week, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Shearer, H. L., Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2022). Bactericidal activity of the oxidants derived from mammilian heme peroxidases. In C. L. Hawkins & W. M. Nauseef (Eds.), Mammalian heme peroxidases: Diverse roles in health and disease. (pp. 171-188). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003212287

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Ashby, L. V., Springer, R., Loi, V. V., Antelmann, H., Hampton, M. B., Kettle, A. J., & Dickerhof, N. (2022). Oxidation of bacillithiol during killing of Staphylococcus aureus USA300 inside neutrophil phagosomes. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/jlb.4hi1021-538rr

Journal - Research Article

Edwards, T. S., Dickerhof, N., Magon, N. J., Paton, L. N., Sly, P. D., & Kettle, A. J. (2022). Formation of calprotectin-derived peptides in the airways of children with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Immunology, 208, 979-990. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001017

Journal - Research Article

Shearer, H. L., Pace, P. E., Paton, J. C., Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2022). A newly identified flavoprotein disulfide reductase Har protects Streptococcus pneumoniae against hypothiocyanous acid. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 298(9), 102359. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102359

Journal - Research Article

Shearer, H. L., Paton, J. C., Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2022). Glutathione utilization protects Streptococcus pneumoniae against lactoperoxidase-derived hypothiocyanous acid. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 179, 24-33. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.12.261

Journal - Research Article

Parker, H. A., Dickerhof, N., Forrester, L., Ryburn, H., Smyth, L., Messens, J., Aung, H. L., Cook, G. M., Kettle, A. J., & Hampton, M. B. (2021). Mycobacterium smegmatis resists the bactericidal activity of hypochlorous acid produced in neutrophil phagosomes. Journal of Immunology, 206, 1901-1912. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2001084

Journal - Research Article

Schindler, L., Smyth, L. C. D., Bernhagen, J., Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2021). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) enhances hypochlorous acid production in phagocytic neutrophils. Redox Biology, 41, 101946. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101946

Journal - Research Article

Schindler, L., Zwissler, L., Krammer, C., Hendgen-Cotta, U., Rassaf, T., Hampton, M. B., Dickerhof, N., & Bernhagen, J. (2021). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibits neutrophil apoptosis by inducing cytokine release from mononuclear cells. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 110, 893-905. doi: 10.1002/JLB.3A0420-242RRR

Journal - Research Article

Chami, B., San Gabriel, P. T., Kum-Jew, S., Wang, X., Dickerhof, N., Dennis, J. M., & Witting, P. K. (2020). The nitroxide 4-methoxy-tempo inhibits the pathogenesis of dextran sodium sulfate-stimulated experimental colitis. Redox Biology, 28, 101333. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101333

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Huang, J., Min, E., Michaëlsson, E., Lindstedt, E.-L., Pearson, J. F., Kettle, A. J., & Day, B. J. (2020). Myeloperoxidase inhibition decreases morbidity and oxidative stress in mice with cystic fibrosis-like lung inflammation. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 152, 91-99. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.03.001

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Paton, L., & Kettle, A. J. (2020). Oxidation of bacillithiol by myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 158, 74-83. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.06.009

Journal - Research Article

Kader, T., Porteous, C. M., Jones, G. T., Dickerhof, N., Narayana, V. K., Tull, D., Taraknath, S., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2020). Ribose-cysteine protects against the development of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. PLoS ONE, 15(2), e0228415. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228415

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Isles, V., Pattemore, P., Hampton, M. B., & Kettle, A. J. (2019). Exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to bactericidal hypochlorous acid during neutrophil phagocytosis is compromised in cystic fibrosis. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 294(36), 13502-13514. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA119.009934

Journal - Research Article

Hoskin, T. S., Crowther, J. M., Cheung, J., Epton, M. J., Sly, P. D., Elder, P. A., … Kettle, A. J., & Dickerhof, N. (2019). Oxidative cross-linking of calprotectin occurs in vivo, altering its structure and susceptibility to proteolysis. Redox Biology, 24, 101202. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101202

Journal - Research Article

Albrett, A. M., Ashby, L. V., Dickerhof, N., Kettle, A. J., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2018). Heterogeneity of hypochlorous acid production in individual neutrophil phagosomes revealed by a rhodamine-based probe. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293(40), 15715-15724. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004789

Journal - Research Article

Khalilova, I. S., Dickerhof, N., Mocatta, T. J., Bhagra, C. J., McClean, D. R., Obinger, C., & Kettle, A. J. (2018). A myeloperoxidase precursor, pro-myeloperoxidase, is present in human plasma and elevated in cardiovascular disease patients. PLoS ONE, 13(3), e0192952. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192952

Journal - Research Article

Turner, R., Brennan, S. O., Ashby, L. V., Dickerhof, N., Hamzah, M. R., Pearson, J. F., Stamp, L. K., & Kettle, A. J. (2018). Conjugation of urate-derived electrophiles to proteins during normal metabolism and inflammation. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293(51), 19886-19898. doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.005237

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Pearson, J. F., Hoskin, T. S., Berry, L. J., Turner, R., Sly, P. D., Kettle, A. J., on behalf of AREST CF. (2017). Oxidative stress in early cystic fibrosis lung disease is exacerbated by airway glutathione deficiency. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 113, 236-243. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.028

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Turner, R., Khalilova, I., Fantino, E., Sly, P. D., Kettle, A. J., on behalf of AREST CF. (2017). Oxidized glutathione and uric acid as biomarkers of early cystic fibrosis lung disease. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, 16(2), 214-221. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2016.10.012

Journal - Research Article

Schindler, L., Dickerhof, N., Hampton, M. B., & Bernhagen, J. (2017). Post-translational regulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor: Basis for functional fine-tuning. Redox Biology, 15, 135-142. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.11.028

Journal - Research Article

Chandler, J. D., Min, E., Huang, J., McElroy, C. S., Dickerhof, N., Mocatta, T., … Kettle, A. J., … Day, B. J. (2015). Antiinflammatory and antimicrobial effects of thiocyanate in a cystic fibrosis mouse model. American Journal of Respiratory Cell & Molecular Biology, 53(2), 193-205. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2014-0208OC

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Schindler, L., Bernhagen, J., Kettle, A. J., & Hampton, M. B. (2015). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) Is rendered enzymatically inactive by myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants but retains its immunomodulatory function. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 89, 498-511. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.09.009

Journal - Research Article

Odobasic, D., Muljadi, R. C. M., O'Sullivan, K. M., Kettle, A. J., Dickerhof, N., Summers, S. A., … Holdsworth, S. R. (2015). Suppression of autoimmunity and renal disease in pristane-induced lupus by myeloperoxidase. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 67(7), 1868-1880. doi: 10.1002/art.39109

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Magon, N. J., Tyndall, J. D. A., Kettle, A. J., & Hampton, M. B. (2014). Potent inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by myeloperoxidase-dependant oxidation of epicatechins. Biochemical Journal, 462(2), 303-314. doi: 10.1042/BJ20140612

Journal - Research Article

Kettle, A. J., Albrett, A. M., Chapman, A. L., Dickerhof, N., Forbes, L. V., Khalilova, I., & Turner, R. (2014). Measuring chlorine bleach in biology and medicine. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: General Subjects, 1840(2), 781-793. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.07.004

Journal - Research Article

Seidel, A., Parker, H., Turner, R., Dickerhof, N., Khalilova, I. S., Wilbanks, S. M., Kettle, A. J., & Jameson, G. N. L. (2014). Uric acid and thiocyanate as competing substrates of lactoperoxidase. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 289(32), 21937-21949. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.544957

Journal - Research Article

Soethoudt, M., Peskin, A. V., Dickerhof, N., Paton, L. N., Pace, P. E., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2014). Interaction of adenanthin with glutathione and thiol enzymes: Selectivity for thioredoxin reductase and inhibition of peroxiredoxin recycling. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 77, 331-339. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.09.025

Journal - Research Article

Peskin, A. V., Dickerhof, N., Poynton, R. A., Paton, L. N., Pace, P. E., Hampton, M. B., & Winterbourn, C. C. (2013). Hyperoxidation of peroxiredoxins 2 and 3: Rate constants for the reactions of the sulfenic acid of the peroxidatic cysteine. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288, 14170-14177. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.460881

Journal - Research Article

Kato, Y., Peskin, A. V., Dickerhof, N., Harwood, D. T., & Kettle, A. J. (2012). Myeloperoxidase catalyzes the conjugation of serotonin to thiols via free radicals and tryptamine-4,5-dione. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 25(11), 2322-2332. doi: 10.1021/tx300218f

Journal - Research Article

Dickerhof, N., Kleffmann, T., Jack, R., & McCormick, S. (2011). Bacitracin inhibits the reductive activity of protein disulfide isomerase by disulfide bond formation with free cysteines in the substrate-binding domain. FEBS Journal, 278(12), 2034-2043. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2011.08119.x

Journal - Research Article

Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2023). Inside the phagosome: A bacterial perspective. Immunological Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/imr.13182

Journal - Research Other

Parker, H. A., Forrester, L., Kaldor, C. D., Dickerhof, N., & Hampton, M. B. (2021). Antimicrobial activity of neutrophils against mycobacteria. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 782495. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782495

Journal - Research Other

Featherston, T., Paumann-Page, M., Dickerhof, N., Kaldor, C., Winterbourn, C. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2021). Measuring and exploiting oxidative stress in metastatic melanoma. Proceedings of the 16th Congress of the Federation of Asian & Oceanic Biochemists & Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB). (pp. 281). Retrieved from https://www.faobmb2021.org