Rothwell Family Fellow; Head, Airway Epithelial Research
BSc (Hons) PhD
Associate Professor Kicic completed his undergraduate and doctorate degrees at the University of Western Australia, specializing in Molecular Biology and Cell Biology. His research interests lie in tissue engineering and reparative cell biology, particularly focusing on the ability of the cells in the body to repair, including stem cells. Qualified in these areas, he has previously been responsible founding a Stem Cell Unit (Lions Eye Institute, Perth), establishing dedicated laboratories for stem cell research and establishing stem cell isolation and differentiation techniques for both embryonic and adult-derived stem cells. Currently at the Institute, his research has been to investigate the tissue resident stem cells found in the lung and to examine their role in airway repair, identifying target areas for therapeutic application.
His research also focuses on the role of the airway epithelium in the pathogenesis of a number of respiratory diseases including childhood asthma, cystic fibrosis and lung transplant rejection.
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Projects
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Publications
December 2018
Human Primary Epithelial Cell Models: Promising Tools in the Era of Cystic Fibrosis Personalized Medicine
In this Review, we consolidate the latest updates in the development of primary epithelial cellular model systems relevant for cystic fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial ResearchNovember 2018Use of a primary epithelial cell screening tool to investigate phage therapy in cystic fibrosis
This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing pre-clinical in vitro culture models to screen therapeutic candidates
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsNovember 2018Elucidating the interaction of CF airway epithelial cells and rhinovirus: Using the host-pathogen relationship to identify future therapeutic strategies
A better understanding of the innate immune responses by CF airway epithelial cells is needed to identify why viral infections are more severe in CF
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Computational Biology Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsNovember 2018Interleukin-1 is associated with inflammation and structural lung disease in young children with cystic fibrosis
Our data associates IL-1α with early structural lung damage in CF and suggests this pathway as a novel anti-inflammatory target
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsMay 2018Effects of human rhinovirus on epithelial barrier integrity and function in children with asthma
This study demonstrates novel intrinsic differences in tight junctions gene and protein expression between airway epithelial cells of children with and without asthma
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental HealthMay 2018Persistent induction of goblet cell differentiation in the airways: Therapeutic approaches
Here we review the current knowledge of key molecular pathways that are dysregulated during persistent goblet cell differentiation
Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsFebruary 2018Visualisation of Multiple Tight Junctional Complexes in Human Airway Epithelial Cells
Apically located tight junctions in airway epithelium perform a fundamental role in controlling macromolecule migration through paracellular spaces.
Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental HealthJanuary 2018Accumulation mode particles and LPS exposure induce TLR-4 dependent and independent inflammatory responses in the lung
We aimed to delineate the effects of LPS and AMP on airway inflammation, and potential contribution to airway disease by measuring airway inflammatory responses
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJanuary 2018Assessment of p.Phe508del-CFTR functional restoration in pediatric primary cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells
This study assessed an alternative approach, using a small scale halide assay that can be adapted for a personalized high throughput setting to analyze CFTR function of pAEC.
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsDecember 2017Conditionally reprogrammed primary airway epithelial cells maintain morphology, lineage and disease specific functional characteristics
Here, we show that conditionally reprogrammed airway epithelial cells (CRAECs) can be established from both healthy and diseased phenotypes.
Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsNovember 2017The potential of phage therapy in cystic fibrosis
This review summarises the phage-microbe-human lung interactions in CF that must be addressed to successfully develop and deliver phage to CF airways
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial ResearchNovember 2017Airway surface liquid pH is not acidic in children with cystic fibrosis
Modulation of ASL pH has been proposed as a therapy for CF. However, evidence that ASL pH is reduced in CF is limited and conflicting.
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsSeptember 2017The AREST CF experience in biobanking - More than just tissues, tubes and time.
Research to further improve outcomes for people with CF is dependent upon well characterised, archived and accessible clinical specimens.
Cystic Fibrosis Published research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsAugust 2017Vitamin D supplementation of initially vitamin D-deficient mice diminishes lung inflammation with limited effects on pulmonary epithelial integrity
In disease settings, vitamin D may be important for maintaining optimal lung epithelial integrity and suppressing inflammation, but less is known of its effects prior to disease onset.
Published research Inflammation Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental HealthApril 2017Pulmonary microRNA profiles identify involvement of Creb1 and Sec14l3 in bronchial epithelial changes in allergic asthma
In this study, we aimed to use microRNAs-which are critical regulators of signaling cascades-to identify so far uncharacterized asthma pathogenesis pathways
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthJanuary 2017Hypoxia and sterile inflammation in cystic fibrosis airways: Mechanisms and potential therapies
In this review, we consider recent evidence regarding hypoxia and sterile inflammation in cystic fibrosis airways
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJanuary 2016Biodiesel exhaust-induced cytotoxicity and proinflammatory mediator production in human airway epithelial cells
Canola biodiesel exhaust exposure elicits inflammation and reduces viability of human epithelial cell cultures in vitro when compared with ULSD exhaust exposure
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthNovember 2016Impaired airway epithelial cell responses from children with asthma to rhinoviral infection
Human rhinovirus infection delays repair and inhibits apoptotic processes in epithelial cells from non-asthmatic and asthmatic children
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsOctober 2016Effect of human rhinovirus infection on airway epithelium tight junction protein disassembly and transepithelial permeability
HRV-1B infection directly alters human airway epithelial TJ expression leading to increased epithelial permeability potentially via antiviral response of IL-15
Published research Systems Immunology Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental HealthOctober 2016Reduced transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the repair of airway epithelial cells of children with asthma
Reduced TGF-β1 levels in paediatric asthmatic airway epithelial cells directly contribute to the dysregulated repair in these cells
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsOctober 2016Of pigs, mice, and men: Understanding early triggers of cystic fibrosis lung disease
Understanding early triggers of Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsSeptember 2016The genetic and epigenetic landscapes of the epithelium in asthma
Genetic factors in airway epithelial cells that are functionally associated with asthma pathogenesis
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsSeptember 2016Identification of genes differentially regulated by vitamin D deficiency that alter lung pathophysiology and inflammation in allergic airways disease
Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates house dust mite-induced inflammation and alterations in lung structure and function
Asthma Published research Inflammation Systems Immunology Cardiometabolic Sunhealth Airway Epithelial ResearchJanuary 2016Alpha-1 antitrypsin mitigates the inhibition of airway epithelial cell repair by neutrophil elastase
Free NE activity is deleterious for epithelial homeostasis and support the hypothesis that proteases in the airway contribute to CF structural lung disease
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJanuary 2016Pressurised metered dose inhaler-spacer technique in young children improves with video instruction
Repeated video instruction over time improves inhaler technique in young children
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial ResearchJanuary 2016Early life rhinovirus infection exacerbates house-dust-mite induced lung disease more severely in female mice
Early life rhinovirus infection influences the development of house-dust-mite induced lung disease in female, but not male mice
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthJanuary 2016Airway epithelial repair in health and disease: Orchestrator or simply a player?
This review attempts to highlight migration-specific and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) aspects of repair used by epithelial cells
Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsAugust 2015Disruption of β-catenin/CBP signaling inhibits human airway epithelial-mesenchymal transition and repair.
The airway epithelium of both children and adults with asthma is relatively undifferentiated characterized by a significantly increased proportion of...
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJuly 2015Biodiesel exhaust: The need for a systematic approach to health effects research
Biodiesel is a generic term for fuel that can be made from virtually any plant or animal oil via transesterification of triglycerides with an alcohol...
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthApril 2015Productive infection of human embryonic stem cell-derived nkx2.1+ respiratory progenitors with human rhinovirus.
Our experiments provide proof of principle for the use of PSC-derived respiratory epithelial cells in the study of cell-virus interactions.
Published research Infectious Diseases Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsApril 2015Matrix metalloproteinase activation by free neutrophil elastase contributes to bronchiectasis progression in early cystic fibrosis
The aim of this study was to assess if MMP activation positively correlates with neutrophil elastase activity, disease severity and bronchiectasis in young...
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsNovember 2014Determinants of culture success in an airway epithelium sampling program of young children with cystic fibrosis
Determinants of culture success through retrospective analysis of a program of routinely brushing children with Cystic Fibrosis airway disease
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsNovember 2014House dust mite induced lung inflammation does not alter circulating vitamin D levels
We hypothesized that allergic inflammation decreases the level of circulating 25(OH)D and tested this using a mice model of house dust mite (HDM) induced...
Published research Vitamin D and Sunlight Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental HealthJuly 2014Biodiesel exhaust-induced cytotoxicity and proinflammatory mediator production in human airway epithelial cells
Our results show that canola biodiesel exhaust exposure elicits inflammation and reduces viability of human epithelial cell cultures in vitro when compared...
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthMay 2014Route of exposure alters inflammation and lung function responses to diesel exhaust
In this study, we compared the physiological consequences of short-term exposure to diesel exhaust via inhalation to those due to exposure to the same diesel...
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthMarch 2014Rhinovirus exacerbates house-dust-mite induced lung disease in adult mice
In this study, we combined human-rhinovirus infection with a clinically relevant mouse model of aero-allergen exposure using house-dust-mite in an attempt to...
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental HealthDecember 2013Transcription factor p63 regulates key genes and wound repair in human airway epithelial Basal cells
The airway epithelium in asthma displays altered repair and incomplete barrier formation.
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsDecember 2012Regional Differences in Susceptibiity of Bronchial Epithelium to Mesenchymal Transition and Inhibition by the Macrolide Antibiotic Azithromycin
Dysregulated repair following epithelial injury is a key forerunner of disease in many organs, and the acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype by the injured...
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsSeptember 2012DNA Methylation Profiles of Airway Epithelial Cells and PBMCs from Healthy, Atopic and Asthmatic Children
Allergic inflammation is commonly observed in a number of conditions that are associated with atopy including asthma, eczema and rhinitis.
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJune 2012Suppression of adrenomedullin contributes to vascular leakage and altered epithelial repair during asthma
The anti-inflammatory peptide, adrenomedullin (AM), and its cognate receptor are expressed in lung tissue, but its pathophysiological significance in airway...
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsJune 2011The airway epithelium is a direct source of matrix degrading enzymes in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
Long-term survival after lung transplantation is hindered by the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS).
Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsMay 2011Bronchial brushings for investigating airway inflammation and remodelling
Asthma is the commonest medical cause for hospital admission for children in Australia, affects more than 300 million people worldwide, and is incurable...
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsFebruary 2011Innate inflammatory responses of pediatric cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells: Effects of nonviral and viral stimulation
There is controversy regarding whether cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelial cells (AECs) are intrinsically proinflammatory.
Cystic Fibrosis Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsMay 2010Decreased fibronectin production significantly contributes to dysregulated repair of asthmatic epithelium
In human asthma, and experimental allergic airways disease in mice, antigen-presenting cells and CD4(+) effector cells at the airway mucosa orchestrate, and CD4
Asthma Published research Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for KidsOctober 2009Successful establishment of primary small airway cell cultures in human lung transplantation
The study of small airway diseases such as post-transplant bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is hampered by the difficulty in assessing peripheral airway
Published research Bronchiolitis Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids -
Education and Qualifications
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Awards/Honours
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Active Collaborations