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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

Dickerhof, N., Ashby, L. V., Ford, D., Dilly, J. J., Anderson, R. F., Payne, R. J., & Kettle, A. J. (2025). Dioxygenation of tryptophan residues by superoxide and myeloperoxidase. Journal of Biological Chemistry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.108402 Journal - Research Article

Swaminathan, A., Borichevsky, G., Frampton, C., Hampton, M., Kettle, A., Peyrin-Biroulet, L., … Day, A., & Gearry, R. (2024). A non-invasive inflammatory bowel disease severity index can help predict a complicated course of illness. Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 39(Suppl. 1), (pp. 210-211). doi: 10.1111/jgh.16702 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Edwards, T. S., Ho, S. S. C., Brown, S. C., Appleton, L., Smith, B. R., Borichevsky, G. M., Swaminathan, A., Frampton, C. M. A., Gearry, R. B., Kettle, A. J., & Day, A. S. (2024). Fecal myeloperoxidase levels reflect disease activity in children with Crohn’s disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izae262 Journal - Research Article

Swaminathan, A., Borichevsky, G. M., Frampton, C., Kettle, A. J., Peyrin-Biroulet, L., Siegel, C. A., Day, A. S., & Gearry, R. B. (2024). Development and investigation of a non-invasive disease severity index for inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Crohn's & Colitis, jjae106. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae106 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

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