Dr Simon McArthur

Simon McArthur

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience and Pharmacology

Dental Institute
Queen Mary University of London
ORCID X

Research

Blood-brain barrier, Gut-brain axis, Gut microbiota, Neuroinflammation, Dementia, Diet

Cardiovascular Models, Infectious Disease and Inflammation Models, Neuronal Models

Interests

We are interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the diet-gut microbiota-brain axis, and how gut microbes can influence brain function in health and disease. We employ a range of different in vitro neural and neurovascular models to study the pharmacology of gut microbe-derived mediators upon the brain, allowing identification of target pathways and systems for potential therapeutic intervention.

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2024

Cerebrovascular damage caused by the gut microbe/host co-metabolite p-cresol sulfate is prevented by blockade of the EGF receptor
Shah SN, Knausenberger TB-A, Pontifex MG, Connell E, Le Gall G, Hardy TAJ, Randall DW, McCafferty K, Yaqoob MM, Solito E, Müller M, Stachulski AV, Glen RC, Vauzour D, Hoyles L and McArthur S
Gut Microbes, Taylor & Francis vol. 16 (1), 2431651-2431651.  
24-11-2024
Targeting Cognitive Resilience through Prebiotics: A Focused Perspective
Dalile B, Boyle NB, Ruiz FT, Chakrabarti A, Respondek F, Dodd GF, Kadosh KC, Hepsomali P, Brummer RJ, McArthur S, Dam V, Zanzer YC, Vermeiren Y and Schellekens H
Advances in Nutrition, Elsevier vol. 16 (1) 
16-11-2024
(Poly)phenol-rich grape and blueberry extract prevents LPS-induced disruption of the blood-brain barrier through the modulation of the gut microbiota-derived uremic toxins
Connell E, Le Gall G, McArthur S, Lang L, Breeze B, Pontifex MG, Sami S, Pourtau L, Gaudout D, Müller M and Vauzour D
Neurochemistry International, Elsevier vol. 180 
09-10-2024
Integrated Insights into Neurodevelopmental Effects of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) and Trimethylamine (TMA): A Multi-Cohort Study Combining Epidemiology and Toxicology
Maitre L, De Leeuw VC, Van Oostrom CT, Anguita A, Chatzi L, Coen M, Gražulevičienė R, Heude B, Ibarluzea J, Julvez J, Keun HC, María LS, Marquez S, Subiza Perez M, Thomsen C, Toledano MB, Villanueva CM, Vrijheid M, Wright J, Hoyles L, Mcarthur S and Hessel EVS
Isee Conference Abstracts, Environmental Health Perspectives vol. 2024 (1) 
15-08-2024
Dietary (Poly)phenols and the Gut–Brain Axis in Ageing
Láng L, McArthur S, Lazar AS, Pourtau L, Gaudout D, Pontifex MG, Müller M and Vauzour D
Nutrients, Mdpi vol. 16 (10), 1500-1500.  
16-05-2024

2023

Stimulation of the Pro-Resolving Receptor Fpr2 Reverses Inflammatory Microglial Activity by Suppressing NFκB Activity
Wickstead ES, Elliott BT, Pokorny S, Biggs C, Getting SJ and Mcarthur S
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Mdpi vol. 24 (21), 15996-15996.  
06-11-2023
The gut microbe‐derived methylamine TMAO protects against neuroinflammation through restraint of pro‐inflammatory glial behaviour
McArthur S
Alzheimer's & Dementia, Wiley vol. 19 (S1) 
16-06-2023
Regulation of Physiological Barrier Function by the Commensal Microbiota
Mcarthur S
Life, Mdpi 
31-01-2023
A host-gut microbial amino acid co-metabolite, p-cresol glucuronide, promotes blood-brain barrier integrity in vivo.
Stachulski AV, Knausenberger TB-A, Shah SN, Hoyles L and McArthur S
Tissue Barriers vol. 11 (1), 2073175-2073175.  
02-01-2023

2022

Promiscuous Receptors and Neuroinflammation: The Formyl Peptide Class
Wickstead ES, Solito E and Mcarthur S
Life, Mdpi vol. 12 (12) 
02-12-2022

2021

Impact of metabolic disorders on the structural, functional, and immunological integrity of the blood‐brain barrier: Therapeutic avenues
Sheikh MH, Errede M, d'Amati A, Khan NQ, Fanti S, Loiola RA, McArthur S, Purvis GSD, O'Riordan CE, Ferorelli D, Dell'Erba A, Kieswich J, Reutelingsperger C, Maiorano E, Yaqoob M, Thiemermann C, Baragetti A, Catapano AL, Norata GD, Marelli‐Berg F, Virgintino D and Solito E
The Faseb Journal, Wiley vol. 36 (1) 
23-12-2021
Regulation of blood–brain barrier integrity by microbiome-associated methylamines and cognition by trimethylamine N-oxide
Hoyles L, Pontifex M, Rodriguez-Ramiro I, Anis-Alavi MA, Jelane KS, Snelling T, Solito E, Fonseca S, Carvalho AL, Carding SR, Muller M, Glen RC, Vauzour D and Mcarthur S
Microbiome, Biomed Central 
27-11-2021
Analysis of circulating protein aggregates as a route of investigation into neurodegenerative disorders
Adiutori R, Puentes F, Bremang M, Lombardi V, Zubiri I, Leoni E, Aarum J, Sheer D, McArthur S, Pike I and Malaspina A
Brain Communications, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 3 (3) 
01-07-2021
Exploiting formyl peptide receptor 2 to promote microglial resolution: a new approach to Alzheimer’s disease treatment
Wickstead ES, Irving MA, Getting SJ and McArthur S
The Febs Journal, Wiley vol. 289 (7), 1801-1822.  
01-05-2021

2020

Immune Escape in Glioblastoma Multiforme and the Adaptation of Immunotherapies for Treatment
Pearson JRD, Cuzzubbo S, McArthur S, Durrant LG, Adhikaree J, Tinsley CJ, Pockley AG and McArdle SEB
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 11 
15-10-2020
Reversal of β‐Amyloid‐Induced Microglial Toxicity In Vitro by Activation of Fpr2/3
Wickstead ES, Karim HA, Manuel RE, Biggs CS, Getting SJ and McArthur S
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi vol. 2020 (1) 
13-06-2020
Immuno-metabolic impact of the multiple sclerosis patients’ sera on endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier
Sheikh MH, Henson S, Loiola RA, Mercurio S, Colamatteo A, Maniscalco GT, De Rosa V, Mcarthur S and Solito E
Journal of Neuroinflammation, Biomed Central 
09-05-2020
Annexin A1 drives macrophage skewing towards a resolving phenotype to accelerate the regeneration of muscle injury through AMPK activation
McArthur S, Gobbetti T, Juban G, Desgeorges T, Theret M, Gondin J, Toller-Kawahisa JE, Reutelingsperger CP, Perretti M and Mounier R
Journal of Clinical Investigation, American Society For Clinical Investigation 
04-02-2020

2019

Modelling cardiac dysfunction following traumatic haemorrhage injury: impact on myocardial integrity
Lopez Tremoleda J, Wall J, Naganathar V, Praditsuktavorn B, Bugg O, Mcarthur S, Thiemermann C and Brohi K
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media vol. 10 
06-12-2019
Desmoglein-3 acts as a pro-survival protein by suppressing reactive oxygen species and doming whilst augmenting the tight junctions in MDCK cells
Wan H, Li X, Ahmad U, Huang Y, Uttagomol J, Rehman A, Zhou K, Warnes G, Mcarthur S and Parkinson E
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Elsevier 
31-10-2019
Estrogen Promotes Pro-resolving Microglial Behavior and Phagocytic Cell Clearance Through the Actions of Annexin A1
Loiola RA, Wickstead ES, Solito E and Mcarthur S
Frontiers in Endocrinology, Frontiers Media 
26-06-2019

2018

Activin sub-family peptides predict chronological age in humans
Barrios-Silva LV, Parnell M, Shinwari ZB, Chaudhary GA, Xenofontos T, van Bekhoven A, MCARTHUR S and Elliott BT
Physiological Reports, Wiley vol. 6 (17), e13823-e13823.  
04-09-2018
Annexin A1 drives macrophage skewing towards a resolving phenotype to accelerate the regeneration of muscle injury through AMPK activation
MCARTHUR S, GOBBETTI T, Juban G, Desgeorges T, Theret M, Gondin J, Toller-Kawahisa J, Reutelingsperger C, PERRETTI M and Mounier R
Biorxiv vol. 375709 (375709), 1-1.  
29-08-2018
The Fpr2 agonist Quin-C1 stimulates inflammatory resolution in microglia; a role for metabolic homeostasis?
Wickstead E and McArthur S
, Morressier 
03-07-2018
Microbiome-host systems interactions: Protective effects of propionate upon the bloodbrain barrier
Hoyles L, Snelling T, Umlai U-K, Nicholson JK, Carding SR, Glen RC and MCARTHUR S
Bmc Microbiome, Biomed Central vol. 6, 55-55.  
21-03-2018

2016

The restorative role of annexin A1 at the blood–brain barrier
McArthur S, Loiola RA, Maggioli E, Errede M, Virgintino D and SOLITO E
Fluids and Barriers of The Cns, Biomed Central vol. 13 (17) 
21-09-2016
Counteractive effects of antenatal glucocorticoid treatment on D1 receptor modulation of spatial working memory
Virdee K, Kentrop J, Jupp B, Venus B, Hensman D, McArthur S, Wilkinson J, Robbins TW, Gillies G and Dalley JW
Psychopharmacology, Springer Nature vol. 233 (21-22), 3751-3761.  
23-08-2016

2015

Estrogen protects the blood–brain barrier from inflammation-induced disruption and increased lymphocyte trafficking
Maggioli E, McArthur S, Mauro C, Kieswich J, Kusters DHM, Reutelingsperger CPM, Yaqoob M and Solito E
Brain Behavior and Immunity, Elsevier vol. 51, 212-222.  
29-08-2015
Definition of a Novel Pathway Centered on Lysophosphatidic Acid To Recruit Monocytes during the Resolution Phase of Tissue Inflammation
McArthur S, Gobbetti T, Kusters DHM, Reutelingsperger CP, Flower RJ and Perretti M
The Journal of Immunology, The American Association of Immunologists vol. 195 (3), 1139-1151.  
01-08-2015
Sex-specific disruption of murine midbrain astrocytic and dopaminergic developmental trajectories following antenatal GC treatment
McArthur S, Pienaar IS, Siddiqi SM and Gillies GE
Brain Structure and Function, Springer Nature vol. 221 (5), 2459-2475.  
06-05-2015
Astroglial Plasticity Is Implicated in Hippocampal Remodelling in Adult Rats Exposed to Antenatal Dexamethasone
Shende VH, McArthur S, Gillies GE and Opacka-Juffry J
Neural Plasticity, Hindawi vol. 2015 (1) 
01-01-2015

2014

Identification of a novel recycling sequence in the C-tail of FPR2/ALX receptor: association with cell protection from apoptosis.
Thompson D, McArthur S, Hislop JN, Flower RJ and Perretti M
J Biol Chem vol. 289 (52), 36166-36178.  
26-12-2014
Nonredundant protective properties of FPR2/ALX in polymicrobial murine sepsis
Gobbetti T, Coldewey SM, Chen J, McArthur S, le Faouder P, Cenac N, Flower RJ, Thiemermann C and Perretti M
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences vol. 111 (52), 18685-18690.  
15-12-2014
Sex-dependent diversity in ventral tegmental dopaminergic neurons and developmental programing: A molecular, cellular and behavioral analysis.
Gillies GE, Virdee K, McArthur S and Dalley JW
Neuroscience vol. 282, 69-85.  
12-12-2014
Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment induces adaptations in adult midbrain dopamine neurons, which underpin sexually dimorphic behavioral resilience.
Virdee K, McArthur S, Brischoux F, Caprioli D, Ungless MA, Robbins TW, Dalley JW and Gillies GE
Neuropsychopharmacology vol. 39 (2), 339-350.  
01-01-2014
Endogenous Annexin A1 Is a Novel Protective Determinant in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice
Locatelli I, Sutti S, Jindal A, Vacchiano M, Bozzola C, Reutelingsperger C, Kusters D, Bena S, Parola M, Paternostro C, Bugianesi E, McArthur S, Albano E and Perretti M
Hepatology vol. 60 (2), 531-544.  
01-01-2014

2013

Ligand-specific conformational change of the G-protein-coupled receptor ALX/FPR2 determines proresolving functional responses.
Cooray SN, Gobbetti T, Montero-Melendez T, McArthur S, Thompson D, Clark AJL, Flower RJ and Perretti M
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A vol. 110 (45), 18232-18237.  
05-11-2013
Chemerin15 inhibits neutrophil-mediated vascular inflammation and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through ChemR23.
Cash JL, Bena S, Headland SE, McArthur S, Brancaleone V and Perretti M
Embo Rep vol. 14 (11), 999-1007.  
01-11-2013
Oestrogen and immunomodulation: new mechanisms that impact on peripheral and central immunity.
Nadkarni S and McArthur S
Curr Opin Pharmacol vol. 13 (4), 576-581.  
01-08-2013
Prazosin, an α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist, prevents memory deterioration in the APP23 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Katsouri L, Vizcaychipi MP, McArthur S, Harrison I, Suárez-Calvet M, Lleo A, Lloyd DG, Ma D and Sastre M
Neurobiol Aging vol. 34 (4), 1105-1115.  
01-04-2013
Identification of an essential endogenous regulator of blood-brain barrier integrity, and its pathological and therapeutic implications.
Cristante E, McArthur S, Mauro C, Maggioli E, Romero IA, Wylezinska-Arridge M, Couraud PO, Lopez-Tremoleda J, Christian HC, Weksler BB, Malaspina A and Solito E
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A vol. 110 (3), 832-841.  
15-01-2013

2012

Annexin A1 N-terminal derived Peptide ac2-26 exerts chemokinetic effects on human neutrophils.
Dalli J, Montero-Melendez T, McArthur S and Perretti M
Front Pharmacol vol. 3 
01-01-2012

2011

Novel ontogenetic patterns of sexual differentiation in arcuate nucleus GHRH neurons revealed in GHRH-enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice.
McArthur S, Robinson IC and Gillies GE
Endocrinology vol. 152 (2), 607-617.  
01-02-2011
Peripheral vs. Central Sex Steroid Hormones in Experimental Parkinson's Disease.
McArthur S and Gillies GE
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) vol. 2 
01-01-2011

2010

Annexin A1: a central player in the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective role of microglia.
McArthur S, Cristante E, Paterno M, Christian H, Roncaroli F, Gillies GE and Solito E
J Immunol vol. 185 (10), 6317-6328.  
15-11-2010
Estrogen actions in the brain and the basis for differential action in men and women: a case for sex-specific medicines.
Gillies GE and McArthur S
Pharmacol Rev vol. 62 (2), 155-198.  
01-06-2010
Independent influences of sex steroids of systemic and central origin in a rat model of Parkinson's disease: A contribution to sex-specific neuroprotection by estrogens.
Gillies GE and McArthur S
Horm Behav vol. 57 (1), 23-34.  
01-01-2010
Anti-allergic drugs and the Annexin-A1 system.
Yazid S, Ayoub SS, Solito E, McArthur S, Vo P, Dufton N and Flower RJ
Pharmacol Rep vol. 62 (3), 511-517.  
01-01-2010

2009

Annexin A1 regulates hormone exocytosis through a mechanism involving actin reorganization.
McArthur S, Yazid S, Christian H, Sirha R, Flower R, Buckingham J and Solito E
Faseb J vol. 23 (11), 4000-4010.  
01-11-2009
Cromoglycate drugs suppress eicosanoid generation in U937 cells by promoting the release of Anx-A1.
Yazid S, Solito E, Christian H, McArthur S, Goulding N and Flower R
Biochem Pharmacol vol. 77 (12), 1814-1826.  
15-06-2009

2008

A critical role for the anti-inflammatory protein annexin A1 in microglial phagocytosis
McArthur S, Prasongchean W, Gillies G and Solito E
Fund Clin Pharmacol vol. 22, 23-23.  
01-08-2008
Annexin A1 in the brain--undiscovered roles?
Solito E, McArthur S, Christian H, Gavins F, Buckingham JC and Gillies GE
Trends Pharmacol Sci vol. 29 (3), 135-142.  
01-03-2008

2007

The size and distribution of midbrain dopaminergic populations are permanently altered by perinatal glucocorticoid exposure in a sex- region- and time-specific manner.
McArthur S, McHale E and Gillies GE
Neuropsychopharmacology vol. 32 (7), 1462-1476.  
01-07-2007
Striatal susceptibility to a dopaminergic neurotoxin is independent of sex hormone effects on cell survival and DAT expression but is exacerbated by central aromatase inhibition.
McArthur S, Murray HE, Dhankot A, Dexter DT and Gillies GE
J Neurochem vol. 100 (3), 678-692.  
01-02-2007

2006

Sex dimorphisms in the 3D cytoarchitecture of the adult VTA and permanent alterations by glucocorticoid exposure in late gestation
Gillies G, McArthur S and McHale E
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, Elsevier vol. 27 (1), 95-96.  
01-05-2006
Perinatal glucocorticoid treatment disrupts the hypothalamo-lactotroph axis in adult female, but not male, rats.
McArthur S, Siddique Z-L, Christian HC, Capone G, Theogaraj E, John CD, Smith SF, Morris JF, Buckingham JC and Gillies GE
Endocrinology vol. 147 (4), 1904-1915.  
01-04-2006

2005

Altered mesencephalic dopaminergic populations in adulthood as a consequence of brief perinatal glucocorticoid exposure.
McArthur S, McHale E, Dalley JW, Buckingham JC and Gillies GE
J Neuroendocrinol vol. 17 (8), 475-482.  
01-08-2005

2004

Sex dimorphisms in the neuroprotective effects of estrogen in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.
Gillies GE, Murray HE, Dexter D and McArthur S
Pharmacol Biochem Behav vol. 78 (3), 513-522.  
01-07-2004

2003

Dose- and sex-dependent effects of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway of adult rats: differential actions of estrogen in males and females
Murray HE, Pillai AV, McArthur SR, Razvi N, Datla KP, Dexter DT and Gillies GE
Neuroscience, Elsevier vol. 116 (1), 213-222.  
01-01-2003

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
bullet iconCognitive function in HIV-exposed uninfected children in rural Zimbabwe
Andrew Prendergast, Melanie Smuk, Michael Pluess, Simon McArthur and Adina Michael-Titus
£363,260 MRC Medical Research Council
01-11-2023 - 31-10-2026
bullet iconGenotypic, Phenotypic and Metabolic Characterisation of Skin Sentinels
Matthew Caley and Simon McArthur
£75,600 Unilever UK Ltd
01-10-2023 - 30-09-2027


bullet iconDietary methylamines as systems-level regulators of neuroinflammation
Simon McArthur
£3,726 Alzheimer's Research UK
06-01-2020 - 28-02-2022