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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7723
Email
lyn.wise@otago.ac.nz
Position
Associate Professor
Department
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Qualifications
BSc(Hons) PhD
Research summary
Virology, skin infections, angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, therapeutics

Research

I trained as a molecular virologist and was a key researcher in the functional characterisation of the viral family of vascular endothelial growth factors and a range of anti-inflammatory factors encoded by the parapoxviruses.

My research currently focuses on microbial manipulation of the inflammatory, vascular and wound healing responses in the skin, and the use of bio-therapeutics for skin wounds, infections and inflammatory disorders.

My interests are centered around three overlapping themes; how do microbes manipulate the tissue around them, what does this tell us about our own physiology and can we exploit this knowledge to develop new drugs for treating infections and other pathologies.




Current Research:

Our research aim is to understand how the body, particularly the skin, can heal itself after damage caused by trauma or infection.

The approach we are taking is to harness natural agonists of the healing responses and develop them as therapeutics for when our bodies fail to heal. The agonists we are developing come from our own skin cells or microbes, and from NZ’s native flora, fauna and agricultural byproducts.

Our goals are to use these natural therapeutics to accelerate healing of chronic ulcers and skin burns, and to reduce the scarring that occurs following trauma or surgery. We are looking to use these agonists to treat both human and veterinary conditions. We are also exploring the utility of these therapeutics for other parts of the body suffering from damage or impaired healing. This includes the brain following stroke or injury, fibrotic lungs, irritated bowels and various tumours.


Past and present funding:

  • The Health Research Council of New Zealand.
  • The New Zealand Equine Research Foundation.
  • Otago Innovation Ltd.
  • The University of Otago.
  • The Otago Medical Research Foundation.
  • HalcyGen Pharmaceuticals Limited.

Current Collaborations:

  • Professor Andrew Mercer and Dr Stephen Fleming, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago.
  • Professor Chris Jackson, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney.
  • Professor Kurt Krause, Dr Monica Gerth and Dr Anita Dunbier, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago.
  • Associate Professor Tim Woodfield and Dr Khoon Lim, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago Christchurch.
  • Associate Professor Michael Stitely, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago.
  • Professor Christine Theoret, Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal.
  • Professor Chris Riley, Institute of Vet, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University.
  • Associate Professor Merilyn Hibma and Dr Heather Cunliffe, Department of Pathology, University of Otago.
  • Dr Georgina Dowd, Marine Products Group, Plant & Food Research.

Current Group Members:

Principal Investigator

Associate Professor Lyn Wise
Email lyn.wise@otago.ac.nz
Office: +64 479 7723
Lab: +64 479 5720

Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Zabeen Lateef
Email zabeen.lateef@otago.ac.nz
Office: +64 479 4174
Lab: +64 479 5720
Project: Viral proteins as novel therapeutics for human skin wounds.


Research Technicians

Gabriella Stuart
Email gabriella.stuart@otago.ac.nz
Nicola Real
Email nicky.real@otago.ac.nz
Office: +64 479 4174
Lab: +64 479 5720
Project: Viral proteins as novel therapeutics for human skin wounds.


Postgraduate Students


Lauren Collins, BSc Hons (Genetics)
Project: Interleukin-10 and fibroproliferative disorders in horses.

Rory Burgess, PGDipSc (Pharmacology)
Project: Development and screening of a SCHEMA library of cytokine binding proteins.

Aarthi Rajesh, PhD (Pathology)
Project: Langerhans cells and skin repair.

Ashley Holland, MSc, (Pathology)
Project: Viruses in the placenta and associations with birth complications and future fertility.


Opportunities for Postgraduate Students:

The overarching theme of our research is the use of natural agonists of healing responses to correct impaired healing and scarring impairments. Our research utilises molecular genetics, bioinformatics and biochemistry to identify and produce novel healing agonists. We then utilise cell, 3D skin culture and small animal models, along with histological and molecular analyses, to evaluate potential therapeutics. Projects are available looking at novel therapeutics that regulate inflammation, vascularisation, fibrosis, and nerve and fat regeneration. The group has a strong track record in these areas and the positions will provide the student with excellent opportunities to build their scientific career in these exciting areas.

The University of Otago is one of the top research universities in New Zealand and includes excellent facilities available for our research (e.g. next-generation sequencing, proteomics, histology, microscopy etc.). Our group actively collaborates with other researchers, locally, nationally and internationally. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology also has a thriving post-graduate community.

PhD and MSc scholarships are available for talented students interested in studying skin or healing therapeutics. Applicants with a BSc(Hons) or MSc in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology, Pharmacology or a related discipline and high motivation for research are encouraged to apply. If interested, please contact Associate Professor Lyn Wise providing an explanation of your interest in the project, a CV and details of 2-3 academic referees (lyn.wise@otago.ac.nz). Please include a copy of your full academic transcript and if applicable an explanation of content. Starting dates are flexible. Applicants must be eligible for admission to the PhD or MSc programme at the University of Otago and apply for a scholarship (http://www.otago.ac.nz/study/scholarships/index.html). A GPA of 7.5 or greater and demonstration of proficiency in English are essential.

Publications

Kok, J. M. L., Dowd, G. C., Cabral, J. D., & Wise, L. M. (2023). Macrocystis pyrifera lipids reduce cytokine-induced pro-inflammatory signalling and barrier dysfunction in human keratinocyte models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24, 1638. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216383

McInnes, C. J., Damon, I. K., Smith, G. L., McFadden, G., Isaacs, S. N., Loper, R. L., … Wise, L. M., & Lefkowitz, E. J. (2023). ICTV Virus taxonomy profile: Poxviridae 2023. Journal of General Virology, 104, 001849. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001849

Torbati, E., Stuart, G., Krause, K., Brown, C., & Wise, L. (2023). Methods to assess chemokine binding and anti-chemotactic activity of virus proteins. In A. R. Lucas (Ed.), Chemokine-glycosaminoglycan interactions: Methods and protocols: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2597). (pp. 217-234). New York, N Y: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2835-5_16

Naqash, A., Stuart, G., Kemp, R., & Wise, L. (2022). Parapoxvirus interleukin-10 homologues vary in their receptor binding, anti-inflammatory, and stimulatory activities. Pathogens, 11, 507. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11050507

Kok, J. M. L., Dowd, G., Cabral, J., & Wise, L. (2022). Time-dependent anti-inflammatory effects of a lipid extract from Macrocystis pyrifera on toll-like receptor 2 signaling in human THP-1 monocytes. Planta Medica International Open, 9, e80-e89. doi: 10.1055/a-1729-3654

Torbati, E., Stuart, G., Krause, K., Brown, C., & Wise, L. (2023). Methods to assess chemokine binding and anti-chemotactic activity of virus proteins. In A. R. Lucas (Ed.), Chemokine-glycosaminoglycan interactions: Methods and protocols: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2597). (pp. 217-234). New York, N Y: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2835-5_16

Chapter in Book - Research

Stuart, G. S., Jones, N. C., & Wise, L. M. (2021). Murine model of thermal burn injury for evaluating protein therapeutics derived from viruses. In A. R. Lucas (Ed.), Viruses as therapeutics: Methods and protocols: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 2225). (pp. 93-105). New York, NY: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1012-1_6

Chapter in Book - Research

Kok, J. M. L., Dowd, G. C., Cabral, J. D., & Wise, L. M. (2023). Macrocystis pyrifera lipids reduce cytokine-induced pro-inflammatory signalling and barrier dysfunction in human keratinocyte models. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24, 1638. doi: 10.3390/ijms242216383

Journal - Research Article

Kok, J. M. L., Dowd, G., Cabral, J., & Wise, L. (2022). Time-dependent anti-inflammatory effects of a lipid extract from Macrocystis pyrifera on toll-like receptor 2 signaling in human THP-1 monocytes. Planta Medica International Open, 9, e80-e89. doi: 10.1055/a-1729-3654

Journal - Research Article

Naqash, A., Stuart, G., Kemp, R., & Wise, L. (2022). Parapoxvirus interleukin-10 homologues vary in their receptor binding, anti-inflammatory, and stimulatory activities. Pathogens, 11, 507. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11050507

Journal - Research Article

Hazlett, J., Niemi, V., Aiderus, A., Powell, K., Wise, L., Kemp, R., & Dunbier, A. K. (2021). Oestrogen deprivation induces chemokine production and immune cell recruitment in in vitro and in vivo models of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research, 23, 95. doi: 10.1186/s13058-021-01472-1

Journal - Research Article

Longoni, A., Li, J., Lindberg, G. C. J., Rnjak-Kovacina, J., Wise, L. M., Hooper, G. J., Woodfield, T. B. F., Kieser, D. C., & Lim, K. S. (2021). Strategies for inclusion of growth factors into 3D printed bone grafts. Essays in Biochemistry, 65(3), 569-585. doi: 10.1042/ebc20200130

Journal - Research Article

Atienza-Roca, P., Kieser, D., Cui, X., Bathish, B., Ramaswamy, Y., Hooper, G. J., Clarkson, A. N., … Wise, L. M., Woodfield, T. B. F., & Lim, K. S. (2020). Visible light mediated PVA-tyramine hydrogels for covalent incorporation and tailorable release of functional growth factors. Biomaterials Science, 8(18), 5005-5019. doi: 10.1039/D0BM00603C

Journal - Research Article

Bose, D., Banerjee, S., Singh, R. K., Wise, L. M., & Robertson, E. S. (2020). Vascular endothelial growth factor encoded by Parapoxviruses can regulate metabolism and survival of triple negative breast cancer cells. Cell Death & Disease, 11, 996. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03203-4

Journal - Research Article

Rajesh, A., Stuart, G., Real, N., Ahn, J., Tschirley, A., Wise, L., & Hibma, M. (2020). Depletion of langerin+ cells enhances cutaneous wound healing. Immunology, 160, 366-381. doi: 10.1111/imm.13202

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Stuart, G. S., Jones, N. C., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2020). Orf virus IL-10 and VEGF-E act synergistically to enhance healing of cutaneous wounds in mice. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), 1085. doi: 10.3390/jcm9041085

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Stuart, G. S., Sriutaisuk, K., Adams, B. R., Riley, C. B., & Theoret, C. L. (2020). Anti-fibrotic actions of equine interleukin-10 on transforming growth factor-beta1-simulated dermal fibroblasts isolated form limbs of horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 577835. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.577835

Journal - Research Article

Lateef, Z., Stuart, G., Jones, N., Mercer, A., Fleming, S., & Wise, L. (2019). The cutaneous inflammatory response to thermal burn injury in a murine model. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(3), 538. doi: 10.3390/ijms20030538

Journal - Research Article

Sharif, S., Ueda, N., Nakatani, Y., Wise, L. M., Clifton, S., Lateef, Z., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2019). Chemokine-binding proteins encoded by parapoxvirus of red deer of New Zealand display evidence of gene duplication and divergence of ligand specificity. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, 1421. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01421

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Bodaan, C. J., Stuart, G. S., Real, N. C., Lateef, Z., Mercer, A. A., … Theoret, C. L. (2018). Treatment of limb wounds of horses with orf virus IL-10 and VEGF-E accelerates resolution of exuberant granulation tissue, but does not prevent its development. PLoS ONE, 13(5), e0197223. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197223

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Stuart, G. S., Real, N. C., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2018). VEGF receptor-2 activation mediated by VEGF-E limits scar tissue formation following cutaneous injury. Advances in Wound Care, 7(8), 283-297. doi: 10.1089/wound.2016.0721

Journal - Research Article

Fleming, S. B., McCaughan, C., Lateef, Z., Dunn, A., Wise, L. M., Real, N. C., & Mercer, A. A. (2017). Deletion of the chemokine binding protein gene from the Parapoxvirus Orf virus reduces virulence and pathogenesis in sheep. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8, 46. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00046

Journal - Research Article

Bennett, J. R., Lateef, Z., Fleming, S. B., Mercer, A. A., & Wise, L. M. (2016). Orf virus IL-10 reduces monocyte, dendritic cell and mast cell recruitment to inflamed skin. Virus Research, 213, 230-237. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.12.015

Journal - Research Article

Bodaan, C. J., Wise, L. M., Wakelin, K. A., Stuart, G. S., Real, N. C., Mercer, A. A., … Theoret, C. (2016). Short-term treatment of equine wounds with orf virus IL-10 and VEGF-E dampens inflammation and promotes repair processes without accelerating closure. Wound Repair & Regeneration, 24(6), 966-980. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12488

Journal - Research Article

Sharif, S., Nakatani, Y., Wise, L., Corbett, M., Real, N. C., Stuart, G. S., Lateef, Z., Krause, K., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2016). A broad-spectrum chemokine-binding protein of bovine papular stomatitis virus inhibits neutrophil and monocyte infiltration in inflammatory and wound models of mouse skin. PLoS ONE, 11(12), e0168007. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168007

Journal - Research Article

Wakelin, K. A., Wise, L. M., Bodaan, C. J., Mercer, A. A., Riley, C. B., & Theoret, C. L. (2016). Orf virus interleukin-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor-E modulate gene expression in cultured equine dermal fibroblasts. Veterinary Determatology, 27(5), 434-438. doi: 10.1111/vde.12370

Journal - Research Article

Couñago, R. M., Knapp, K. M., Nakatani, Y., Fleming, S. B., Corbett, M., Wise, L. M., Mercer, A. A., & Krause, K. L. (2015). Structures of orf virus chemokine binding protein in complex with host chemokines reveal clues to broad binding specificity. Structure, 23(7), 1199-1213. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2015.04.023

Journal - Research Article

Fleming, S. B., Wise, L. M., & Mercer, A. A. (2015). Molecular genetic analysis of Orf virus: A poxvirus that has adapted to skin. Viruses, 7(3), 1505-1539. doi: 10.3390/v7031505

Journal - Research Article

Harvey, R., McCaughan, C., Wise, L. M., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2015). Orf virus inhibits interferon stimulated gene expression and modulates the JAK/STAT signalling pathway. Virus Research, 208, 180-188. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.06.014

Journal - Research Article

Lee, S., Chu, H. X., Kim, H. A., Real, N. C., Sharif, S., Fleming, S. B., Mercer, A. A., Wise, L. M., … Sobey, C. G. (2015). Effect of a broad-specificity chemokine-binding protein on brain leukocyte infiltration and infarct development. Stroke, 46, 537-544. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.114.007298

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Stuart, G. S., Real, N. C., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2014). Orf virus IL-10 accelerates wound healing while limiting inflammation and scarring. Wound Repair & Regeneration, 22(3), 356-367. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12169

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Inder, M. K., Real, N. C., Stuart, G. S., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2012). The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-E encoded by orf virus regulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration and promotes epidermal regeneration. Cellular Microbiology, 14(9), 1376-1390. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2012.01802.x

Journal - Research Article

Lateef, Z., Baird, M. A., Wise, L. M., Young, S., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2010). The chemokine binding protein encoded by the poxvirus orf virus inhibits recruitment of dendritic cells to sites of skin inflammation and migration to peripheral lymph nodes. Cellular Microbiology, 12(5), 665-676. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2009.01425.x

Journal - Research Article

Deane, D., Ueda, N., Wise, L. M., Wood, A. R., Percival, A., Jepson, C., … Fleming, S. B., Mercer, A. A., & McInnes, C. J. (2009). Conservation and variation of the parapoxvirus GM-CSF-inhibitory factor (GIF) proteins. Journal of General Virology, 90, 970-977. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.006692-0

Journal - Research Article

Lateef, Z., Baird, M. A., Wise, L. M., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2009). Orf virus-encoded chemokine-binding protein is a potent inhibitor of inflammatory monocyte recruitment in a mouse skin model. Journal of General Virology, 90(6), 1477-1482. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.009589-0

Journal - Research Article

Inder, M. K., Wise, L. M., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2008). The C-terminus of viral vascular endothelial growth factor-E partially blocks binding to VEGF receptor-1. FEBS Journal, 275(1), 207-217. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.06189.x

Journal - Research Article

Inder, M. K., Ueda, N., Mercer, A. A., Fleming, S. B., & Wise, L. M. (2007). Bovine papular stomatitis virus encodes a functionally distinct VEGF that binds both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Journal of General Virology, 88, 781-791.

Journal - Research Article

Ueda, N., Inder, M. K., Wise, L. M., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2007). Parapoxvirus of red deer in New Zealand encodes a variant of viral vascular endothelial growth factor. Virus Research, 124, 50-58.

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Savory, L. J., Dryden, N. H., Whelan, E. M., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2007). Major amino acid sequence variants of viral vascular endothelial growth factor are functionally equivalent during Orf virus infection of sheep skin. Virus Research, 128, 115-125.

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L., McCaughan, C., Tan, C. K., Mercer, A. A., & Fleming, S. B. (2007). Orf virus interleukin-10 inhibits cytokine synthesis in activated human THP-1 monocytes, but only partially impairs their proliferation. Journal of General Virology, 88, 1677-1682.

Journal - Research Article

Ueda, N., Wise, L., Stacker, S. A., Fleming, S. B., & Mercer, A. A. (2003). Pseudocowpox virus encodes a homolog of vascular endothelial growth factor. Virology, 305, 298-309.

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L., Ueda, N., Dryden, N. H., Fleming, S. B., Caesar, C., Roufail, S., … Mercer, A. A. (2003). Viral vascular endothelial growth factors vary extensively in amino acid sequence, receptor-binding specificities, and the ability to induce vascular permeability yet are uniformly active mitogens. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278(39), 38004-38014.

Journal - Research Article

Mercer, A. A., Wise, L. M., Scagliarini, A., McInnes, C. J., Buttner, M., Rziha, H. J., McCaughan, C. A., Fleming, S. B., Ueda, N., & Nettleton, P. F. (2002). Vascular endothelial growth factors encoded by orf virus show surprising sequence variation but have a conserved, functionally relevant structure. Journal of General Virology, 83, 2845-2855.

Journal - Research Article

Makinen, T., Veikkola, T., Mustjoki, S., Karpanen, T., Catimel, B., Nice, E., Wise, L. M., Mercer, A. A., … Alitalo, K. (2001). Isolated lymphatic endothelial cells transduce growth, survival and migratory signals via the VEGF-C/D receptor VEGFR-3. EMBO Journal, 20(17), 4762-4773.

Journal - Research Article

Fleming, S. B., Haig, D. M., Nettleton, P. F., Reid, H. W., McCaughlan, C. A., Wise, L. M., & Mercer, A. A. (2000). Sequence and functional analysis of a homolog of interleukin-10 encoded by the parapoxvirus, orf virus. Virus Genes, 21(1/2), 85-90.

Journal - Research Article

Fleming, S. B., Haig, D. M., Nettleton, P., Reid, H. W., McCaughan, C. A., Wise, L. M., & Mercer, A. (2000). Sequence and functional analysis of a homolog of interleukin-10 encoded by the parapoxvirus orf virus. Virus Genes, 21(1-2), 85-95.

Journal - Research Article

Wise, L. M., Veikkola, T., Mercer, A. A., Savory, L. J., Fleming, S. B., Caesar, C., … Stacker, S. A. (1999). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-like protein from orf virus NZ2 binds to VEGFR2 and neuropilin-1. PNAS, 96(6), 3071-3076. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.6.3071

Journal - Research Article

McInnes, C. J., Damon, I. K., Smith, G. L., McFadden, G., Isaacs, S. N., Loper, R. L., … Wise, L. M., & Lefkowitz, E. J. (2023). ICTV Virus taxonomy profile: Poxviridae 2023. Journal of General Virology, 104, 001849. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001849

Journal - Research Other

Berry-Kilgour, C., Cabral, J., & Wise, L. (2021). Advancements in the delivery of growth factors and cytokines for the treatment of cutaneous wound indications [Invited]. Advances in Wound Care, 10(11), 596-622. doi: 10.1089/wound.2020.1183

Journal - Research Other

Rajesh, A., Stuart, G., Real, N., Tschirley, A., Ahn, J., Wise, L., & Hibma, M. (2021). Skin antigen presenting cells and wound healing: New knowledge gained and challenges encountered using mouse depletion models. Immunology, 163, 98-104. doi: 10.1111/imm.13311

Journal - Research Other

Yaron, J. R., Zhang, L., Guo, Q., Burgin, M., Schutz, L. N., Awo, E., Wise, L., … Lucas, A. R. (2020). Deriving immune modulating drugs from viruses: A new class of biologics. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), 972. doi: 10.3390/jcm9040972

Journal - Research Other

Rajesh, A., Wise, L., & Hibma, M. (2019). The role of Langerhans cells in pathologies of the skin. Immunology & Cell Biology, 97(8), 700-713. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12253

Journal - Research Other

Lateef, Z., & Wise, L. M. (2018). Exploitation of receptor tyrosine kinases by viral-encoded growth factors. Growth Factors, 36(3-4), 118-140. doi: 10.1080/08977194.2018.1520229

Journal - Research Other

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