Background

On completing his first B.Sc. degree in science Derek worked for a biotechnology company for one year, before moving to Bristol to take up a research post. He worked on the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and the area of the central stress response with Drs David Jessop & Mick Harbuz in Professor Stafford Lightman’s Department University of Bristol.  After successfully completing his master’s degree he moved to London, where he worked towards his Ph.D. in the related area of adrenal physiology, investigating how local neuropeptides influence the response of the adrenal gland to factors such as stress. This work was completed in the laboratory of Dr Joy Hinson at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL). 

He completed a post-doctoral post in the same laboratory supervising various adrenal projects whilst moving into the area of tissue repair. He then worked for one year on appetite regulation in relation to peripheral endocrine hormones at University College London. Derek then returned to QMUL to work in the area of inflammation with Professor Mauro Perretti at the Department of Biochemical Pharmacology at Charterhouse Square. Following his third post-doctoral position, he was offered a lectureship at the University of Westminster in the Department of Human & Health Sciences lead by Jenny Mackenzie.

Research Interests

His research interests are in the area of endocrine/immune interactions, particularly around the area of inflammation. The interaction between long term chronic stress conditions leading to pathology is a key interest of his. He would like to investigate this area closer in the future and particularly the interaction between stress mediators and leukocyte phenotype.

Salivary biomarkers are also a key interest of his. Saliva is currently used as an indicator of systemic disease ie cortisol.  This is possible due to an interaction between the endocrine and immune systems, which allows us to assess health in a non-invasive manner.  He has recently discovered an immune factor in saliva which may also be glucocorticoid sensitive and is hoping may act as a second indicator of health, with an emphasis on immune function.

Current Research / Ongoing Projects

Since moving to the University of Westminster Derek is continuing to investigate an anti-inflammatory protein, which he recently discovered in human saliva.  He is currently engaged in researching the physiology of this protein. This protein displays a diurnal rhythm, which correlated positively with salivary cortisol. He is currently investigating which factors regulate the secretion of  this substance ie cortisol, DHEA etc and trying to identify under which circumstances this protein may be important ie is it upregulated during local or systemic inflammatory disease.

Derek is currently assessing various aspects of the glucocorticoid induced anti-inflammatory substances detailed above.  These projects include:

1. Assessing whether cigarette smoke alters the levels of a known anti-inflammatory substance in human saliva.
2. Whether this anti-inflammatory substance is altered in patients with oral gingival disease, in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions.  We will sample saliva and compare with healthy control individuals.
3. Whether there are any direct anti-microbial effects of this anti-inflammatory substance on common oral microbes.
4. Investigating the regulators of this anti-inflammatory substance by measuring levels of cortisol, and DHEA in patients with Cushing’s syndrome and Addisons disease and see if this explains the levels of our anti-inflammatory protein.
5. Whether there is any upregulation of this protein in oral cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma compared to health controls.

Selected Publications

Renshaw D, Urquhart P, Perretti M. (2007) Therapeutic exploitation of endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms: old and new leads. Review. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 5 (4):289-305.

Schwarz N, Renshaw D, Kapas S, Hinson JP (2006) Adrenomedullin increases the expression of calcitonin-like receptor and receptor activity modifying protein 2 mRNA in human microvascular endothelial cells J. Endocrinol., 190(2):505-14.

Kosti O, Raven PW, Renshaw D, Hinson JP. (2006) Intra-adrenal mechanisms in the response to chronic stress: investigation in a rat model of emotionality. J Endocrinol. 189:211-8.

Renshaw D, Batterham RL. (2005) Peptide YY and its role in feeding. Current Drug Targets.;6:171-9.

Whitworth, Kosti O, Renshaw D, Hinson JP. (2003) Adrenal neuropeptides, regulation and interaction with ACTH and other adrenal regulators.  Microscopy Research and Techniques.   Jun 15;61(3):259-67.

Vakharia K, Renshaw D, Hinson JP. (2002).  Bacterial lipopolysaccharide directly stimulates cortisol secretion in human adrenal cells.  Endocr Res. Nov;28(4):357-61.

Research Groups / Key Appointments

• Member of Inflamation & Infection Research Group
• Member of Health & Well Being Research Group