The University of Queensland

SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein

Albornoz, Eduardo A., Amarilla, Alberto A., Modhiran, Naphak, Parker, Sandra, Li, Xaria X., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Aguado, Julio, Zamora, Adriana Pliego, McMillan, Christopher L. D., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Nias Y. G., Sng, Julian D. J., Saima, Fatema Tuj, Fung, Jenny N., Lee, John D., Paramitha, Devina, Parry, Rhys, Avumegah, Michael S., Isaacs, Ariel, Lo, Martin W., Miranda-Chacon, Zaray, Bradshaw, Daniella, Salinas-Rebolledo, Constanza, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Wolvetang, Ernst J., Munro, Trent P., Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Young, Paul R., Stacey, Katryn J. ... Woodruff, Trent M. (2023). SARS-CoV-2 drives NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human microglia through spike protein. Molecular Psychiatry, 28 (7), 2878-2893. doi: 10.1038/s41380-022-01831-0

Stimulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2: A novel treatment strategy for diabetic nephropathy

Nomura, Haru, Kuruppu, Sanjaya and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2022). Stimulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2: A novel treatment strategy for diabetic nephropathy. Frontiers in Physiology, 12 813012, 813012. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.813012

Chronic renin-angiotensin system activation induced neuroinflammation: common mechanisms underlying hypertension and dementia?

Tran, Shirley, Kuruppu, Sanjaya and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2022). Chronic renin-angiotensin system activation induced neuroinflammation: common mechanisms underlying hypertension and dementia?. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 85 (3), 943-955. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215231

Endothelial-specific overexpression of cationic amino acid transporter-1 prevents loss of kidney function in heart failure

Giam, Beverly, Nomura, Haru, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Chu, Po-Yin, Essid, Sumia, Kiriazis, Helen, Du, Xiao-Jun, Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2020). Endothelial-specific overexpression of cationic amino acid transporter-1 prevents loss of kidney function in heart failure. Clinical Science, 134 (20), 2755-2769. doi: 10.1042/CS20200087

Impaired L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of resistant hypertension

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Giam, Beverly, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Head, Geoffrey A. and Kaye, David M. (2019). Impaired L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of resistant hypertension. Clinical Science, 133 (20), 2061-2067. doi: 10.1042/CS20190851

Serelaxin attenuates renal inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy

Giam, Beverly, Chu, Po-Yin, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Smith, A. Ian, Horlock, Duncan, Murali, Aishwarya, Kiriazis, Helen, Du, Xiao-Jun, Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2018). Serelaxin attenuates renal inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy. Experimental Physiology, 103 (12), 1593-1602. doi: 10.1113/EP087189

N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates the Development of Renal Fibrosis in Transgenic Mice with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Giam, Beverly, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Chu, Po-Yin, Smith, A. Ian, Marques, Francine Z., Fiedler, April, Horlock, Duncan, Kiriazis, Helen, Du, Xiao-Jun, Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2017). N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates the Development of Renal Fibrosis in Transgenic Mice with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Scientific Reports, 7 (1) 17718, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17927-5

High fibre diet and acetate supplementation change the gut microbiota and prevent the development of hypertension and heart failure in hypertensive mice

Marques, Francine Z., Nelson, Erin, Chu, Po-Yin, Horlock, Duncan, Fiedler, April, Ziemann, Mark, Tan, Jian K., Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., El-Osta, Assam, Mackay, Charles R. and Kaye, David M. (2017). High fibre diet and acetate supplementation change the gut microbiota and prevent the development of hypertension and heart failure in hypertensive mice. Circulation, 135 (10), 964-977. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.024545

The cardiovascular and neurotoxic effects of the venoms of six bony and cartilaginous fish species

Han, Han, Baumann, Kate, Casewell, Nicholas R., Ali, Syed A., Dobson, James, Koludarov, Ivan, Debono, Jordan, Cutmore, Scott C., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Jackson, Timothy N. W., Jones, Rob, Hodgson, Wayne C., Fry, Bryan G. and Kuruppu, Sanjaya (2017). The cardiovascular and neurotoxic effects of the venoms of six bony and cartilaginous fish species. Toxins, 9 (2) 67, 67. doi: 10.3390/toxins9020067

The characteristics of astrocyte on Aβ clearance altered in Alzheimer’s disease were reversed by anti-inflammatory agent (+)-2-(1-hydroxyl-4-oxocyclohexyl) ethyl caffeate

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Parkington, Helena C. and Smith, A. Ian (2017). The characteristics of astrocyte on Aβ clearance altered in Alzheimer’s disease were reversed by anti-inflammatory agent (+)-2-(1-hydroxyl-4-oxocyclohexyl) ethyl caffeate. American Journal of Translational Research, 9 (7), 3514-3516.

Stimulating the activity of amyloid-beta degrading enzymes: a novel approach for the therapeutic manipulation of amyloid-beta levels

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Spicer, Alexander J., Parkington, Helena C. and Smith, A. Ian (2016). Stimulating the activity of amyloid-beta degrading enzymes: a novel approach for the therapeutic manipulation of amyloid-beta levels. Journal of Alzheimers Disease, 54 (3), 891-895. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160492

Role of renal oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the cardiorenal syndrome

Giam, Beverly, Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2016). Role of renal oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the cardiorenal syndrome. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 25 (8), 874-880. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.02.022

Letter by Rajapakse et al regarding article, "Combined angiotensin receptor antagonism and neprilysin inhibition"

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Kuruppu, Sanjaya and Smith, A. Ian (2016). Letter by Rajapakse et al regarding article, "Combined angiotensin receptor antagonism and neprilysin inhibition". Circulation, 134 (3), E9-E10. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.023086

Canopy venom: proteomic comparison among new world arboreal pit-viper venoms

Debono, Jordan, Cochran, Chip, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Nouwens, Amanda, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Kawasaki, Minami, Wood, Kelly, Dobson, James, Baumann, Kate, Jouiaei, Mahdokht, Jackson, Timothy N. W., Koludarov, Ivan, Low, Dolyce, Ali, Syed A., Smith, A. Ian, Barnes, Andrew and Fry, Bryan G. (2016). Canopy venom: proteomic comparison among new world arboreal pit-viper venoms. Toxins, 8 (7) 210, 210.1-210.19. doi: 10.3390/toxins8070210

Effects of dietary L-arginine on nitric oxide bioavailability in obese normotensive and obese hypertensive subjects

Giam, Beverly, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Head, Geoffrey A., Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2016). Effects of dietary L-arginine on nitric oxide bioavailability in obese normotensive and obese hypertensive subjects. Nutrients, 8 (6) 364, 364. doi: 10.3390/nu8060364

Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Head, Geoffrey A. and Kaye, David M. (2016). Say NO to obesity-related hypertension: role of the l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway. Hypertension, 67 (5), 813-819. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.06778

N-acetylcysteine attenuates the development of cardiac fibrosis and remodeling in a mouse model of heart failure

Giam, Beverly, Chu, Po-Yin, Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Smith, A. Ian, Horlock, Duncan, Kiriazis, Helen, Du, Xiao-Jun, Kaye, David M. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2016). N-acetylcysteine attenuates the development of cardiac fibrosis and remodeling in a mouse model of heart failure. Physiological Reports, 4 (7), 1-13. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12757

N‐acetylcysteine reverses established cardiac and renal fibrosis in a mouse model of heart failure

Rajapakse, Niwanthi, Giam, Beverly, Chu, Po‐Yin, Kiriazis, Helen, Du, Xiao‐Jun and Kaye, David M (2016). N‐acetylcysteine reverses established cardiac and renal fibrosis in a mouse model of heart failure. The FASEB Journal, 30 (S1). doi: 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.735.4

N‐terminal domain of <i>Bothrops asper</i> Myotoxin II Enhances the Activity of Endothelin Converting Enzyme and Neprilysin

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi, Kleifeld, Oded, Small, David H, Whisstock, James and Smith, Alexander Ian (2016). N‐terminal domain of Bothrops asper Myotoxin II Enhances the Activity of Endothelin Converting Enzyme and Neprilysin. The FASEB Journal, 30 (S1). doi: 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.606.4

N-terminal domain of Bothrops asper Myotoxin II Enhances the Activity of Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 and Neprilysin

Smith, A. Ian, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Kleifeld, Oded, Lomonte, Bruno, Sikanyika, Nkumbu L., Spicer, Alexander J., Hodgson, Wayne C., Conroy, Paul J., Small, David H., Kaye, David M., Parkington, Helena C., Whisstock, James C. and Kuruppu, Sanjaya (2016). N-terminal domain of Bothrops asper Myotoxin II Enhances the Activity of Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 and Neprilysin. Scientific Reports, 6 (1) 22413, 22413.1-22413.11. doi: 10.1038/srep22413

Cardio-protective effects of combined l-arginine and insulin: mechanism and therapeutic actions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Venardos, Kylie M., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Williams, David, Hoe, Louise S., Peart, Jason N. and Kaye, David M. (2015). Cardio-protective effects of combined l-arginine and insulin: mechanism and therapeutic actions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. European Journal of Pharmacology, 769, 64-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.09.046

Pathogenesis and treatment of the cardiorenal syndrome: implications of L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway impairment

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Nanayakkara, Shane and Kaye, David M. (2015). Pathogenesis and treatment of the cardiorenal syndrome: implications of L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway impairment. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 154, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.05.011

Augmented endothelial-specific L-arginine transport blunts the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to obesity induced hypertension in mice

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Karim, Florian, Evans, Roger G., Kaye, David M. and Head, Geoffrey A. (2015). Augmented endothelial-specific L-arginine transport blunts the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to obesity induced hypertension in mice. Plos One, 10 (7) e0131424, e0131424. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131424

Augmented endothelial l-arginine transport ameliorates pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Johnston, Tamara, Kiriazis, Helen, Chin-Dusting, Jaye P., Du, Xiao-Jun and Kaye, David M. (2015). Augmented endothelial l-arginine transport ameliorates pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Experimental Physiology, 100 (7), 796-804. doi: 10.1113/EP085250

Endothelial cationic amino acid transporter-1 overexpression blunts the effects of oxidative stress on pressor responses to behavioural stress in mice

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Konstantinidis, George, Evans, Roger G., Nguyen-Huu, Thu-Phuc, Kaye, David M. and Head, Geoffrey A. (2014). Endothelial cationic amino acid transporter-1 overexpression blunts the effects of oxidative stress on pressor responses to behavioural stress in mice. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 41 (12), 1031-1037. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12279

Nitric oxide inhibits the production of soluble endothelin converting enzyme-1

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Dunstan, Rhys A. and Smith, A. Ian (2014). Nitric oxide inhibits the production of soluble endothelin converting enzyme-1. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 396 (1-2), 49-54. doi: 10.1007/s11010-014-2141-0

Augmented endothelial-specific L-arginine transport prevents obesity-induced hypertension

Rajapakse, N. W., Karim, F., Straznicky, N. E., Fernandez, S., Evans, R. G., Head, G. A. and Kaye, D. M. (2014). Augmented endothelial-specific L-arginine transport prevents obesity-induced hypertension. Acta Physiologica, 212 (1), 39-48. doi: 10.1111/apha.12344

Renal oxygenation in acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abdelkader, Amany, Ho, Julie, Ow, Connie P. C., Eppel, Gabriela A., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Schlaich, Markus P. and Evans, Roger G. (2014). Renal oxygenation in acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 306 (9), F1026-F1038. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00281.2013

Production of soluble Neprilysin by endothelial cells

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Minond, Dmitriy and Smith, A. Ian (2014). Production of soluble Neprilysin by endothelial cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 446 (2), 423-427. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.158

Endothelial cationic amino acid transporter-1 overexpression can prevent oxidative stress and increases in arterial pressure in response to superoxide dismutase inhibition in mice

Konstantinidis, G., Head, G. A., Evans, R. G., Nguyen-Huu, T. -P., Venardos, K., Croft, K. D., Mori, T. A., Kaye, D. M. and Rajapakse, N. W. (2014). Endothelial cationic amino acid transporter-1 overexpression can prevent oxidative stress and increases in arterial pressure in response to superoxide dismutase inhibition in mice. Acta Physiologica, 210 (4), 845-853. doi: 10.1111/apha.12215

Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 inhibition and renoprotection in end-stage renal disease

Kuruppu, Sanjaya, Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. and Smith, A. Ian (2013). Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 inhibition and renoprotection in end-stage renal disease. Pflugers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 465 (7), 929-934. doi: 10.1007/s00424-013-1216-1

Insulin-mediated activation of the L-arginine nitric oxide pathway in man, and its impairment in diabetes

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Chong, Abigail L., Zhang, Wei-Zheng and Kaye, David M. (2013). Insulin-mediated activation of the L-arginine nitric oxide pathway in man, and its impairment in diabetes. Plos One, 8 (5) e61840, e61840. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061840

Role of cellular L-arginine uptake and nitric oxide production on renal blood flow and arterial pressure regulation

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. and Mattson, David L. (2013). Role of cellular L-arginine uptake and nitric oxide production on renal blood flow and arterial pressure regulation. Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension, 22 (1), 45-50. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835a6ff7

Evidence that renal arginine transport is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Rajapakse, N. W., Kuruppu, S., Hanchapola, I., Venardos, K., Mattson, D. L., Smith, A. I., Kaye, D. M. and Evans, R. G. (2012). Evidence that renal arginine transport is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 302 (12), F1554-F1562. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00084.2011

Role of l-arginine uptake mechanisms in renal blood flow responses to angiotensin II in rats

Rajapakse, N. W. and Mattson, D. L. (2011). Role of l-arginine uptake mechanisms in renal blood flow responses to angiotensin II in rats. Acta Physiologica, 203 (3), 391-400. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.2011.02330.x

Angiotensin II and neurohumoral control of the renal medullary circulation

Evans, Roger G., Head, Geoffrey A., Eppel, Gabriela A., Burke, Sandra L. and Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. (2010). Angiotensin II and neurohumoral control of the renal medullary circulation. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 37 (2). doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2009.05233.x

Role of l-arginine in nitric oxide production in health and hypertension

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. and Mattson, David L. (2009). Role of l-arginine in nitric oxide production in health and hypertension. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 36 (3), 249-255. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.05123.x

Exogenous L-arginine ameliorates angiotensin II-induced hypertension and renal damage in rats

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., De Miguel, Carmen, Das, Satarupa and Mattson, David L. (2008). Exogenous L-arginine ameliorates angiotensin II-induced hypertension and renal damage in rats. Hypertension, 52 (6), 1084-1090. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.108.114298

ANG II type 2 receptors and neural control of intrarenal blood flow

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Eppel, Gabriela A., Widdop, Robert E. and Evans, Roger G. (2006). ANG II type 2 receptors and neural control of intrarenal blood flow. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 291 (6), R1669-R1676. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00183.2006

Angiotensin II and nitric oxide in neural control of intrarenal blood flow

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Sampson, Amanda K., Eppel, Gabriela A. and Evans, Roger G. (2005). Angiotensin II and nitric oxide in neural control of intrarenal blood flow. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 289 (3 58-3), R745-R754. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00477.2004

Prostaglandins and nitric oxide in regional kidney blood flow responses to renal nerve stimulation

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Flower, Rebecca L., Eppel, Gabriela A., Denton, Kate M., Malpas, Simon C. and Evans, Roger G. (2004). Prostaglandins and nitric oxide in regional kidney blood flow responses to renal nerve stimulation. Pflugers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 449 (2), 143-149. doi: 10.1007/s00424-004-1320-3

Erratum: Modulation of V1-receptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology (July 2004) 56 (R181-R187))

Rajapakse, N. W., Roman, R. J., Falck, J. R., Oliver, J. J. and Evans, R. G. (2004). Erratum: Modulation of V1-receptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology (July 2004) 56 (R181-R187)). American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 287 (4 56-4), R1003-R1003. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00468.2004

Modulation of V1-receptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Roman, Richard J., Falck, John R., Oliver, Jeremy J. and Evans, Roger G. (2004). Modulation of V1-receptor-mediated renal vasoconstriction by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 287 (1 56-1), R181-R187. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00555.2002

Lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase products in the control of regional kidney blood flow in rabbits

Oliver, Jeremy J., Eppel, Gabriela A., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. and Evans, Roger G. (2003). Lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase products in the control of regional kidney blood flow in rabbits. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 30 (11), 812-819. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2003.03916.x

Regional responsiveness of renal perfusion to activation of the renal nerves

Guild, Sarah-Jane, Eppel, Gabriela A., Malpas, Simon C., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Stewart, Alistair and Evans, Roger G. (2002). Regional responsiveness of renal perfusion to activation of the renal nerves. American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 283 (5 52-5), R1177-R1186. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00151.2002

Effects of indomethacin on responses of regional kidney perfusion to vasoactive agents in rabbits

Oliver, Jeremy J., Rajapakse, Niwanthi W. and Evans, Roger G. (2002). Effects of indomethacin on responses of regional kidney perfusion to vasoactive agents in rabbits. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 29 (10), 873-879. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2002.03742.x

Nitric oxide in responses of regional kidney blood flow to vasoactive agents in anesthetized rabbits

Rajapakse, Niwanthi W., Oliver, Jeremy J. and Evans, Roger G. (2002). Nitric oxide in responses of regional kidney blood flow to vasoactive agents in anesthetized rabbits. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 40 (2), 210-219. doi: 10.1097/00005344-200208000-00006

Stimulating the Activity of NEP and ACE2: A Unique Approach to Prevent Dementia

Tran, Shirley, Woodruff, Trent, Kumar, Vinod, Smith, A. Ian, Rajapakse, Niwanthi and Kuruppu, Sanjaya (2021). Stimulating the Activity of NEP and ACE2: A Unique Approach to Prevent Dementia. Experimental Biology Meeting EB 2021, Online, 27–30 April 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.01628