Dr Nina Dickerhof, Our people, Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine

Principal Investigator
Senior Research Fellow

MSc(Germany) PhD(Otago)

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

Research interests

My research focuses on understanding how the immune system uses oxidants to combat bacteria; and how bacteria evade these oxidants.

We have discovered critical antioxidant systems in Streptococcus pneumoniae that enable this major human pathogen to overcome oxidative killing by the immune system. We are investigating how these pneumococcal antioxidant systems work at the molecular level using biophysical, structural and mutational studies. Our aim is to uncover strategies for disarming bacterial antioxidant defences to bolster the immune system's ability to eradicate invading pathogens.

We are also investigating the flip side of immune-derived oxidants: Their ability to cause tissue damage and chronic inflammation. By finding markers of oxidative tissue damage, we aim to offer more precise tools for detecting and addressing inflammation.

Affiliations

Publications

Shearer, H. L., Currie, M. J., Agnew, H. N., Trappetti, C., Stull, F., Pace, P. E., … Dobson, R. C. J., & Dickerhof, N. (2024). Hypothiocyanous acid reductase is critical for host colonization and infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 107282. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107282 Journal - Research Article

Blake, T. L., Sly, P. D., Anderson, I., Wainwright, C. E., Reid, D. W., Bell, S. C., Smith, B. R., Kettle, A. J., & Dickerhof, N. (2024). Changes in urinary glutathione sulfonamide (GSA) levels between admission and discharge of patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2024.04.009 Journal - Research Other

Shearer, H. L., Pace, P. E., Smith, L. M., Fineran, P. C., Matthews, A. J., Camilli, A., Dickerhof, N., & Hampton, M. B. (2023). Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae genes associated with hypothiocyanous acid tolerance through genome-wide screening. Journal of Bacteriology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1128/jb.00208-23 Journal - Research Article

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 Journal - Research Article

Kettle, A. J., Ashby, L. V., Winterbourn, C. C., & Dickerhof, N. (2023). Superoxide: The enigmatic chemical chameleon in neutrophil biology [Invited review]. Immunological Reviews, 314, 181-196. doi: 10.1111/imr.13183 Journal - Research Other

Hampton, M. B., & Dickerhof, N. (2023). Inside the phagosome: A bacterial perspective. Immunological Reviews, 314, 197-209. doi: 10.1111/imr.13182 Journal - Research Other

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

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

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

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., 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

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

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

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

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

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

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., 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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 112, 591-605. doi: 10.1002/jlb.4hi1021-538rr Journal - Research Article

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

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

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

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Research interests

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