Dr Tim Halim

Research summary

Our team studies how the immune system interacts with cancer, focusing on a special type of immune cell called ILC2. These cells can both help and harm cancer. We use advanced tools to understand their role in cancer inflammation, aiming to discover new treatments. We specialise in imaging cancer, developing immune-targeted tools, and using single-cell technologies to study tumours.

Research

Introduction

The immune system is intricately involved in all aspects of cancer. While many neoplastic cells are detected and eliminated by immune cells, inflammation is also a fundamental driver of tumourigenesis. Our group is interested in understanding the basic immune-regulatory mechanisms in cancer, focusing on a new type of immune-regulatory cell, called the group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2). More specifically, ILC2 are known to directly influence many pro- and anti-cancer immune pathways, making this cell a challenging but potentially important target to investigate. We are using, and developing, cutting-edge reagents to study how ILC2-driven inflammation is involved in cancer. This research will reveal potential new avenues for immunotherapy.

Our research at the CRUK Cambridge Institute leverages our expertise in ILC biology and innate/adaptive immune crosstalk, and many of the strengths of the institute:

Imaging inflammation and cancer
Developing new immune-targeted reagents
Single cell technologies to study the tumour niche
Close interactions with Addenbrooke’s and Papworth hospital

Publications

Key publications:

Halim TY, Hwang YY, Scanlon ST, Zaghouani H, Garbi N and McKenzie ANJ. (2015) Group 2 innate lymphoid cells license dendritic cells to potentiate memory Th2 cell responses. Nat Immunol 17(1): 57-64.

Halim TY. (2015) Group 2 innate lymphoid cells in disease. Int Immunol (10.1093/intimm/dxv050)

Halim TY, Steer CA, Mathä L, Gold MJ, Martinez-Gonzalez I, McNagny KM, McKenzie, ANJ and Takei F. (2014) Group 2 Innate Lymphoid cells are critical for the initiation of adaptive T helper 2 cell mediated allergic lung inflammation. Immunity 40(3): 425-435.

Gold MJ, Antignano F, Halim TY (co-2^nd author), Hirota JA, Zaph C, Takei F and McNagny KM. (2014) Group 2 Innate Lymphoid cells facilitate allergic airway inflammation in response to local but not systemic Th2-inducing allergen exposures. J Allerg Clin Immunol. 133(4):1142-1148.

Halim TY and Takei F. (2014) Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Innate Lymphoid Cells. Curr Protoc Immunol. 106:IV:3.25:3.25.1–3.25.13.

Halim TY and McKenzie ANJ. (2013) New kids on the block: group 2 innate lymphocytes and type-2 inflammation of the airways. Chest. 144(5): 1681-1686.

Halim TY, MacLaren A, Romanish MT, Gold MJ, McNagny KM and Takei F. (2012) Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor alpha is required for natural helper cell development and allergic inflammation. Immunity 37(3):463-474.

Halim TY, Krauß RH, Sun AC and Takei F. (2012) Lung natural helper cells are critical source of Th2 cytokines in protease allergen-induced airway inflammation. Immunity 36(3): 451-463.

Petriv OI, Kuchenbauer F, Delaney AD, Lecault V, White A, Kent D, Marmolejo L, Heuser M, Berg T, Copley M, Ruschmann J, Sekulovic S, Benz C, Kuroda E, Ho V, Antignano F, Halim TY, Giambra V, Krystal G, Takei F, Weng AP, Piret J, Eaves C, Marra MA, Humphries RK, Hansen CL. (2010) Comprehensive microRNA expression profiling of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 107(35): 15443-8.

Veinotte LL, Halim TY (co-1^st author) and Takei F. (2008) Unique subset of natural killer cells develop from progenitors in lymph node. Blood 111(8): 4201-4208.

Halim TY, Lavoie JC, Barnett MJ, Forest DL, Hogge DE, Nantel SH, Nevill TJ, Shepherd JD, Song KW, Sutherland HJ, Toze CL, and Smith CA (2007) High Risk AML Outpatient Management: A Retrospective Analysis of Septicemia Incidence Following Chemotherapy. Ann Oncol (7): 1246-1252.

Subject:

cytokines

helper T cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs)