Dr James Whiteford Reader in Extracellular Matrix Biology, Director of Graduate StudiesCentre: Microvascular ResearchEmail: j.whiteford@qmul.ac.uk Telephone: +44(0) 20 7882 3909Website: https://www.centre-for-microvascular-research.com/whiteford-labTwitter: @LabWhitefordProfileResearchPublicationsSponsorsCollaboratorsNewsTeachingProfileJames Whiteford graduated in Applied Biology from King’s College London in 1994 and obtained his PhD from King’s College London in 1998. Following post-doctoral research at Imperial College London and Copenhagen University (Denmark) he joined the Centre for Microvascular Research and was awarded an Arthritis Research UK career development fellowship in 2009. He obtained his Lectureship at the William Harvey Research Institute in 2014, and obtained his Senior Lectureship in 2016. Memberships and Awards Chairman London Matrix Biology Group BSMB Organising Committee Member Editor British Journal of Pharmacology Editor Pharmacology Research and Perspectives Editor Frontiers in Immunology ResearchSummary Our teams’ research focuses on angiogenesis, which is the process by which new blood vessels are formed from existing ones. Angiogenesis is a critical process in numerous diseases including cancer, diseases of the eye and inflammatory disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. For some years we have been studying the role of the syndecan family of cell surface receptors in new blood vessel formation and inflammation with the aim of discovering therapeutic innovations which can modify this process to improve disease outcomes. We are currently developing a novel therapy for Wet-Age Related macular Degeneration and are also investigating the potential of our reagents as therapies for both arthritis and cancer. Group members Dr Faheem Shaik, Dr Samantha Arokiasamy, Miss Michaela Balderstone and Miss Nikayla Patel. Publications Arokiasamy S, Balderstone MJM, Shaik F et al. (2024). QM107, a novel CD148 (RTP Type J) activating peptide therapy for treating neovascular age‐related macular degeneration. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/bph.17362 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/100742 mohamed M, WHITEFORD J, fan S (2024). WCN24-1216 CHARACTERISATION AND MODULATION OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN A MULTIETHNIC DIALYSIS COHORT USING THE BARTS DIABETIC KIDNEY CENTRE BIOBANK: A FEASIBILITY AND PILOT STUDY. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2024.02.1234 QMRO: qmroHref Moss BJ, McKenna N, Ochsner S et al. (2023). Regulation of Senescence and Mitochondrial Function by CD148 in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Alveolar Epithelial Cells. A107. AGING AND LUNG DISEASES COMING TO AGE DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_meetingabstracts.a2665 QMRO: qmroHref Mauro D, Manou-Stathopoulou S, Rivellese F et al. (2023). UBE2L3 regulates TLR7-induced B cell autoreactivity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103023 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/85700 Weeraman D, Jones DA, Hussain M et al. (2023). Proangiogenic Growth Factor Therapy for the Treatment of Refractory Angina: A Meta-analysis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.jscai.2022.100527 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/88688 Joulia R, Guerrero-Fonseca IM, Girbl T et al. (publicationYear). Neutrophil breaching of the blood vessel pericyte layer during diapedesis requires mast cell-derived IL-17A. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34695-7 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/82420 Whiteford J, Arokiasamy S, Thompson CL et al. (2022). Novel application of live imaging to determine the functional cell biology of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) within a liver-on-a-chip platform. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s44164-022-00034-9 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford J, Arokiasamy S, Thompson C et al. (2022). FRI198 Investigating the function of Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal transition during liver fibrogenesis using a Liver-On-A-Chip platform. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(22)01308-3 QMRO: qmroHref Moss BJ, Ebrahimpour A, Coarfa C et al. (2022). CD148 Loss-of-Function Promotes Cellular Senescence and the Development of Experimental Fibrosis. C29. SENESCENCE, SENOLYTICS, AND AGING IN LUNG BIOLOGY DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2022.205.1_meetingabstracts.a3895 QMRO: qmroHref Thorup A-S, Wilson J, Strachan D et al. (2022). BLOCKING ROR2 IMPROVES CARTILAGE INTEGRITY AND PROVIDES PAIN RELIEF IN OSTEOARTHRITIS, IN PART BY MODULATING YAP SIGNALLING. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.201 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/95161 Shaik F, Balderstone MJM, Arokiasamy S et al. (2022). Roles of Syndecan-4 in cardiac injury and repair. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106196 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/77812 Pessolano E, Belvedere R, Novizio N et al. (2021). Mesoglycan connects Syndecan‐4 and VEGFR2 through Annexin A1 and formyl peptide receptors to promote angiogenesis in vitro. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/febs.16043 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/72499 Eldridge S, Barawi A, Wang H et al. (2021). AB0039 AGRIN REPAIRS BONE AND CARTILAGE IN VIVO. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2584 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/73100 Thorup AS, Strachan D, Caxaria S et al. (2021). OP0200 BLOCKING ROR2 IMPROVES CARTILAGE INTEGRITY AND PROVIDES PAIN RELIEF IN OSTEOARTHRITIS. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2358 QMRO: qmroHref Tsoyi K, Liang X, De Rossi G et al. (publicationYear). CD148 Deficiency in Fibroblasts Promotes the Development of Pulmonary Fibrosis.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202008-3100OC QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/71180 De Rossi G, Vähätupa M, Cristante E et al. (2021). Pathological Angiogenesis Requires Syndecan-4 for Efficient VEGFA-Induced VE-Cadherin Internalization. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.315941 QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/74992 Gopal S, Arokiasamy S, Pataki C et al. (2021). Syndecan receptors: pericellular regulators in development and inflammatory disease. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200377 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/74993 Belvedere R, Morretta E, Pessolano E et al. (2021). RETRACTED: Mesoglycan exerts its fibrinolytic effect through the activation of annexin A2. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30207 QMRO: qmroHref Thorup A-S, Strachan D, Caxaria S et al. (2020). ROR2 blockade as a therapy for osteoarthritis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax3063 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/67172 Eldridge SE, Barawi A, Wang H et al. (2020). Agrin induces long term osteochondral regeneration by supporting repair morphogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax9086 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/67045 Godmann L, Bollmann M, Korb-Pap A et al. (2020). Antibody-mediated inhibition of syndecan-4 dimerisation reduces interleukin (IL)-1 receptor trafficking and signalling. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216847 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/64382 Arokiasamy S, Balderstone MJM, De Rossi G et al. (2020). Syndecan-3 in Inflammation and Angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03031 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/62712 Arokiasamy S, De Rossi G, Whiteford JR (2020). Identification of a novel therapeutic peptide from Syndecan-3. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Balderstone M, Arokiasamy S, De Rossi G et al. (2020). Targeting a disease "off switch". nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Vahatupa M, Cristante E et al. (2019). A novel role for Syndecan-4 in neovascular eye diseases. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Arokiasamy S, De Rossi G (2019). Translating the matrix. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/bph.14517 QMRO: qmroHref Vahatupa M, De Rossi G, Jarvinen TAH et al. (2018). Sdc4 deficiency leads to reduced VEGFA induced pathological ocular angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Eldridge SE, Thomas BL, Shanmuganathan K et al. (2017). Agrin inhibits canonical WNT signalling through LRP4. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.281 QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Cristante E, Bland E et al. (2017). A syndecan-derived peptide for the treatment of Wet age-related macular degeneration. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Cristante E, Vahatupa M et al. (2017). VEGFA-driven pathological angiogenesis requires the proteoglycan syndecan-4. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Rauzi F, Kirkby NS, Edin ML et al. (publicationYear). Aspirin inhibits the production of proangiogenic 15(S)-HETE by platelet cyclooxygenase-1.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600530R QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/16583 WHITEFORD J, Ma B, Woodfin et al. (2016). Underlying chronic inflammation alters the profile and mechanisms of acute neutrophil recruitment. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/path.4776 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/15915 Whiteford JR, De Rossi G, Woodfin A (2016). Chapter Six Mutually Supportive Mechanisms of Inflammation and Vascular Remodeling. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.05.001 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/37423 Reglero N, Beal R, Cabrera C et al. (2016). JAM‐C deficiency primes endothelial cells for a pro‐inflammatory state. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.165.10 QMRO: qmroHref Eldridge SE, Petrycki E, Pitzalis C et al. (2016). MMP3 cleaves agrin in cartilage and reduces its chondrogenic potency. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2016.01.676 QMRO: qmroHref Hawkins KE, Joy S, Delhove JMKM et al. (2016). NRF2 Orchestrates the Metabolic Shift during Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Reprogramming. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.003 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/12358 Woodfin A, Beyrau M, Voisin M-B et al. (2016). ICAM-1–expressing neutrophils exhibit enhanced effector functions in murine models of endotoxemia. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-08-664995 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/13894 Madalli S, Beyrau M, Whiteford J et al. (2015). Sex-specific regulation of chemokine Cxcl5/6 controls neutrophil recruitment and tissue injury in acute inflammatory states. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0047-5 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/12543 Gopinathan G, Milagre C, Pearce OMT et al. (2015). Interleukin-6 Stimulates Defective Angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1227 QMRO: qmroHref Gopinathan G, Milagre C, Pearce OMT et al. (2015). Abstract 4162: Interleukin–6 stimulates defective angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2015-4162 QMRO: qmroHref Kay E, Gomez-Garcia L, Woodfin A et al. (2015). Sexual dimorphisms in leukocyte trafficking in a mouse peritonitis model. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3a1214-601rr QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/15118 Rauzi F, Kirkby N, Edin M et al. (2015). 15(S)-HETE is a pro-angiogenic factor produced by platelets through COX-1. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Ma B, Whiteford JR, Nourshargh S et al. (2015). Angiogenesis associated macrophages support elevated acute inflammatory responses. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/11498 De Rossi G, Whiteford JR (2014). Syndecans in angiogenesis and endothelial cell biology.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1042/bst20140232 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/6640 De Rossi G, Evans AR, Kay E et al. (2014). Shed syndecan-2 inhibits angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1242/dev.118901 QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Evans AR, Kay E et al. (2014). Shed syndecan-2 inhibits angiogenesis.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1242/jcs.153015 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/11427 Halai K, Whiteford J, Ma B et al. (2014). ICAM-2 facilitates luminal interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells in vivo.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1242/jcs.137463 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/13895 Kay E, Nourshargh S, Scotland RS et al. (2014). Sex-differences in classical monocyte recruitment during inflammation. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Nourshargh S, Whiteford JR (2014). Shed syndecan-2 is a regulator of angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Nourshargh S, Whiteford JR (2014). Syndecan-4 is required for VEGF-induced angiogenesis. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Evans AR, De Rossi G, Woodfin A et al. (2014). The role of syndecan-4 in inflammation. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Kay E, Scotland RS, Whiteford JR (2014). Toll-like receptors: Role in inflammation and therapeutic potential.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/biof.1156 QMRO: qmroHref Leinster DA, Colom B, Whiteford JR et al. (2013). Endothelial cell junctional adhesion molecule C plays a key role in the development of tumors in a murine model of ovarian cancer.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-230441 QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Scotland R, Whiteford J (2013). Critical Factors in Measuring Angiogenesis Using the Aortic Ring Model.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.4172/2157-7412.1000147 QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Whiteford JR (2013). A novel role for syndecan-3 in angiogenesis.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.2-270.v1 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/14730 De Rossi G, Whiteford JR (2013). Novel insight into the biological functions of syndecan ectodomain core proteins.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1002/biof.1104 QMRO: qmroHref De Rossi G, Nourshargh S, Whiteford JR (2013). Syndecan extracellular core proteins have anti-angiogenic properties. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref WHITEFORD J, Xian X, Couchman JR (2012). Syndecans as receptors for pericellular molecules. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Xian X, Whiteford JR, Couchman JR (2012). 5.5 Syndecans as receptors for pericellular molecules. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1515/9783110258776.467 QMRO: qmroHref Proebstl D, Voisin MB, Woodfin A et al. (2012). Pericytes support neutrophil subendothelial cell crawling and breaching of venular walls in vivo.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1084/jem.20111622 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/14750 Whiteford JR, Xian X, Chaussade C et al. (2011). Syndecan-2 is a novel ligand for the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor CD148.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E11-02-0099 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/14751 Whiteford JR, Xian X, Couchman JR (2011). Syndecan-2 core protein directly interacts with the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD148/PTPRJ to promote integrin-mediated adhesion. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Schaefer L, Evan L, Whiteford J et al. (2011). Cell signalling in inflammation. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Xian X, Couchman JR (2010). Cell adhesion to the adhesion regulatory domains of syndecan-2 and-4 require the protein tyrosine receptor CD148/PTPRJ. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Gopal S, Bober A, Whiteford JR et al. (2010). Heparan sulfate chain valency controls syndecan-4 function in cell adhesion.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M109.056945 QMRO: qmroHref Multhaupt HAB, Yoneda A, Whiteford JR et al. (2009). Syndecan signaling: when, where and why?. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Okina E, Manon-Jensen T, Whiteford JR et al. (2009). Syndecan proteoglycan contributions to cytoskeletal organization and contractility.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00941.x QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Ko S, Lee W et al. (2008). Structural and cell adhesion properties of zebrafish syndecan-4 are shared with higher vertebrates.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M803505200 QMRO: qmroHref Lacroix H, Whiteford JR, Spanu PD (2008). Localization of Cladosporium fulvum hydrophobins reveals a role for HCf-6 in adhesion.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01227.x QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford J, Couchman J (2008). Integrin mediated cell adhesion to the syndecan‐4 ectodomain requires N‐glycosylation and phosphatases.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.274 QMRO: qmroHref Alexopoulou AN, Couchman JR, Whiteford JR (2008). The CMV early enhancer/chicken beta actin (CAG) promoter can be used to drive transgene expression during the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into vascular progenitors.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1186/1471-2121-9-2 QMRO: https://uat2-qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/14770 Whiteford JR, Behrends V, Kirby H et al. (2007). Syndecans promote integrin-mediated adhesion of mesenchymal cells in two distinct pathways.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.08.002 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Couchman JR (2006). A conserved NXIP motif is required for cell adhesion properties of the syndecan-4 ectodomain.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M605553200 QMRO: qmroHref Koo BK, Han I, Mortier E et al. (2006). Structural basis of cell adhesion signalling of syndecan-4 proteoglycan as a cell surface receptor. nameOfConference DOI: doi QMRO: qmroHref Koo B-K, Jung YS, Shin J et al. (2006). Structural basis of syndecan-4 phosphorylation as a molecular switch to regulate signaling.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.09.087 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Lacroix H, Talbot NJ et al. (2004). Stage-specific cellular localisation of two hydrophobins during plant infection by the pathogenic fungus Cladosporium fulvum.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2004.02.005 QMRO: qmroHref Johnson H, Whiteford JR, Eckert SE et al. (2003). Production and secretion of Aspergillus nidulans catalase B in filamentous fungi driven by the promoter and signal peptide of the Cladosporium fulvum hydrophobin gene hcf-1.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1007/s00294-003-0421-4 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Spanu PD (2002). Hydrophobins and the interactions between fungi and plants.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1046/j.1364-3703.2002.00129.x QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Spanu PD (2001). The hydrophobin HCf-1 of Cladosporium fulvum is required for efficient water-mediated dispersal of conidia.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1006/fgbi.2001.1263 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Wilson C, Tiwana H et al. (2000). Genetic diversity in Proteus mirabilis isolates found in the urinary tract of rheumatoid arthritis patients. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1053/jinf.2000.0740 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Wood DA, Thurston CF (2000). Characterisation of xylanases produced in liquid and compost cultures of the cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1017/S0953756299001914 QMRO: qmroHref Whiteford JR, Thurston CF (2000). The molecular genetics of cultivated mushrooms.. nameOfConference DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2911(00)42001-1 QMRO: qmroHref Sponsors Arthritis Research UK Barts Charity Queen Mary Innovation Fight for Sight Collaborators Dr Tero Järvinen (University of Tampere, Finland) Prof James Bainbridge (UCL, UK) NewsNovember 2015 Male and female mice respond differently to inflammation (EurekAlert) Teaching Module Lead on BMD211 Pharmacology and IT BSc Degree Programme BMD175 ‘Research Skills for Pharmacologists’ Back to top