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Contact information

Email
katja.simon@imm.ox.ac.uk

Research groups

Simon Group | Autophagy in the Immune System

Colleges

Wolfson College

Websites

Autophagy in immunology
Research Group, Kennedy Institute

Nature Webinar

Recent Webinar in Nature on how autophagy prevents immune senescence.

Watch here.

In the media

Pomegranates, turmeric and red grapes: the key to long life?

Article in The Guardian covering Professor Simon's research in autophagy and links to disease and ageing.

Professor Katja Simon Talks about the Ita Askonas Award

Anna Katharina (Katja) A Simon

PhD

Professor of Immunology

Katja Simon is studying cell fate in the hematopoietic system. She trained as an Immunologist under Avrion Mitchison at the DRFZ Berlin and found that TH1 cytokines are found in excess in human autoimmune diseases in her PhD. As a postdoc at the Centre d'Immunologie Marseille Luminy, she investigated transcription factors regulating thymic cell death. During her second postdoc in Oxford she pursued her interest in cell fate, studying cell death molecules (Trail and FasL) in thymic selection, inflammation and tumour immunity. As a principal investigator, she set up an independent line of enquiry investigating autophagy, another cellular process determining cell fate, in the hemato-immune system. Her group discovered that autophagy, the main conserved cellular bulk degradation pathway, maintains healthy red blood cells, stem cells and memory T cells and promotes differentiation while preventing ageing of the hematopoietic system.

Recent publications

Rapamycin Exerts Its Geroprotective Effects in the Ageing Human Immune System by Enhancing Resilience Against DNA Damage.

Kell L. et al, (2026), Aging Cell, 25

phagy-regulated mitochondrial inheritance controls early CD8+ T cell fate commitment.

Borsa M. et al, (2026), Nat Cell Biol, 28, 66 - 81

phagy acts as a brake on obesity-related fibrosis by controlling purine nucleoside signalling.

Piletic K. et al, (2025), Nat Commun, 16

Dysfunctional mitochondria in ageing T cells: a perspective on mitochondrial quality control mechanisms.

Luo L. et al, (2025), EMBO Rep, 26, 4402 - 4418

Rapamycin exerts its geroprotective effects in the ageing human immune system by enhancing resilience against DNA damage

Kell L. et al, (2025)

Understanding and improving vaccine efficacy in older adults.

Hofer SJ. et al, (2025), Nat Aging, 5, 1455 - 1470

phagy selectively clears ER in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy

Dueren UK. et al, (2025)

Women in Autophagy: an initiative to promote gender parity in science.

McCabe M. et al, (2024), Nat Cell Biol, 26, 2009 - 2012

Longevity biotechnology: bridging AI, biomarkers, geroscience and clinical applications for healthy longevity.

Lyu Y-X. et al, (2024), Aging (Albany NY), 16, 12955 - 12976

Next questions in autophagy.

Cuervo AM. et al, (2024), Nat Cell Biol, 26, 661 - 666

Blocking glycosphingolipid production alters autophagy in osteoclasts and improves myeloma bone disease.

Leng H. et al, (2024), Autophagy, 20, 930 - 932

Inheritance of old mitochondria controls early CD8 + T cell fate commitment and is regulated by autophagy

Borsa M. et al, (2024)

phagy preserves hematopoietic stem cells by restraining MTORC1-mediated cellular anabolism.

Borsa M. et al, (2024), Autophagy, 20, 45 - 57

Proteostasis in T cell aging.

Gressler AE. et al, (2023), Semin Immunol, 70

phagy orchestrates the crosstalk between cells and organs.

Piletic K. et al, (2023), EMBO Rep, 24

dipocyte autophagy limits gut inflammation by controlling oxylipin and IL-10.

Richter FC. et al, (2023), EMBO J, 42

The central role of DNA damage in immunosenescence.

Kell L. et al, (2023), Front Aging, 4

Modulating glycosphingolipid metabolism and autophagy improves outcomes in pre-clinical models of myeloma bone disease.

Leng H. et al, (2022), Nat Commun, 13

Mechanisms of spermidine-induced autophagy and geroprotection.

Hofer SJ. et al, (2022), Nat Aging, 2, 1112 - 1129

ge-related mechanisms in the context of rheumatic disease.

Alsaleh G. et al, (2022), Nat Rev Rheumatol, 18, 694 - 710

Mapping autophagosome contents identifies interleukin-7 receptor-α as a key cargo modulating CD4+ T cell proliferation.

Zhou D. et al, (2022), Nat Commun, 13

GIMAP6 regulates autophagy, immune competence, and inflammation in mice and humans.

Yao Y. et al, (2022), J Exp Med, 219

Heteroplasmy of Wild-Type Mitochondrial DNA Variants in Mice Causes Metabolic Heart Disease With Pulmonary Hypertension and Frailty.

Lechuga-Vieco AV. et al, (2022), Circulation, 145, 1084 - 1101

B cell-intrinsic TBK1 is essential for germinal center formation during infection and vaccination in mice.

Lee MSJ. et al, (2022), J Exp Med, 219

phagy takes it all - autophagy inducers target immune aging.

Zinecker H. and Simon AK., (2022), Dis Model Mech, 15

Mapping of the autophagosomal degradome identifies IL-7Rα as key cargo in proliferating CD4+ T-cells

Zhou D. et al, (2021)

Cell-extrinsic autophagy in mature adipocytes regulates anti-inflammatory response to intestinal tissue injury through lipid mobilization

Richter FC. et al, (2021)

phagy in major human diseases.

Klionsky DJ. et al, (2021), EMBO J, 40

Role of autophagy in immune aging

Richter F. et al, (2021), European Journal of Immunology, 51, 10 - 10

phagy in healthy aging and disease.

Aman Y. et al, (2021), Nat Aging, 1, 634 - 650

EGFR-HIF1α signaling positively regulates the differentiation of IL-9 producing T helper cells.

Roy S. et al, (2021), Nat Commun, 12

symmetric cell division shapes naive and virtual memory T-cell immunity during ageing.

Borsa M. et al, (2021), Nat Commun, 12

Hallmarks and detection techniques of cellular senescence and cellular ageing in immune cells.

Zhou D. et al, (2021), Aging Cell, 20

Regulating T-cell differentiation through the polyamine spermidine.

Carriche GM. et al, (2021), J Allergy Clin Immunol, 147, 335 - 348.e11

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

Klionsky DJ. et al, (2021), Autophagy, 17, 1 - 382

phagy in T cells from aged donors is maintained by spermidine and correlates with function and vaccine responses.

Alsaleh G. et al, (2020), Elife, 9

Beth Levine 1960-2020.

Simon AK. and Mizushima N., (2020), Nat Cell Biol, 22, 909 - 910

Fine-tuning stemness.

Borsa M. and Simon AK., (2020), Science, 369, 373 - 374

Fine-tuning stemness

Simon ANNAK. and Borsa M., (2020), Science

Beth Levine 1960-2020

Simon A. and Mizushima N., (2020), Nature Cell Biology

Human Liver Memory CD8+ T Cells Use Autophagy for Tissue Residence.

Swadling L. et al, (2020), Cell Rep, 30, 687 - 698.e6

Polyamines reverse immune senescence via the translational control of autophagy.

Zhang H. and Simon AK., (2020), Autophagy, 16, 181 - 182

Polyamines Control eIF5A Hypusination, TFEB Translation, and Autophagy to Reverse B Cell Senescence.

Zhang H. et al, (2019), Mol Cell, 76, 110 - 125.e9

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (second edition).

Cossarizza A. et al, (2019), Eur J Immunol, 49, 1457 - 1973

Polyamines control eIF5A hypusination, TFEB translation, and autophagy to reverse B cell senescence

Zhang H. et al, (2019), Molecular Cell, 76, 110 - 125

phagy in the renewal, differentiation and homeostasis of immune cells.

Clarke AJ. and Simon AK., (2019), Nat Rev Immunol, 19, 170 - 183

phagy in the Hematopoietic System

Simon AK. et al, (2019), BLOOD, 134

Local exchange of metabolites shapes immunity.

Richter FC. et al, (2018), Immunology, 155, 309 - 319

single nucleotide polymorphism in the Plasmodium falciparum atg18 gene associates with artemisinin resistance and confers enhanced parasite survival under nutrient deprivation.

Breglio KF. et al, (2018), Malar J, 17

Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased glycolysis in prodromal and early Parkinson's blood cells.

Smith AM. et al, (2018), Mov Disord, 33, 1580 - 1590

Translational Control of TFEB and Autophagy via eIF5A Rejuvenates B Cell Immunity

Zhang H. et al, (2018)

B1a B cells require autophagy for metabolic homeostasis and self-renewal.

Clarke AJ. et al, (2018), J Exp Med, 215, 399 - 413

phagy dictates metabolism and differentiation of inflammatory immune cells.

Riffelmacher T. et al, (2018), Autophagy, 14, 199 - 206

B1a B cells require autophagy for metabolic homeostasis and self-renewal

Clarke A. et al, (2017)

In aged primary T cells, mitochondrial stress contributes to telomere attrition measured by a novel imaging flow cytometry assay.

Sanderson SL. and Simon AK., (2017), Aging Cell, 16, 1234 - 1243

Insights into pancreatic β cell energy metabolism using rodent β cell models

Morten KJ. et al, (2017), Wellcome Open Research, 2, 14 - 14

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies.

Cossarizza A. et al, (2017), Eur J Immunol, 47, 1584 - 1797

phagy-Dependent Generation of Free Fatty Acids Is Critical for Normal Neutrophil Differentiation.

Riffelmacher T. et al, (2017), Immunity, 47, 466 - 480.e5

Molecular definitions of autophagy and related processes.

Galluzzi L. et al, (2017), EMBO J, 36, 1811 - 1836

Mechanistic roles of autophagy in hematopoietic differentiation.

Riffelmacher T. and Simon A-K., (2017), FEBS J, 284, 1008 - 1020

Dysregulated mitophagy and mitochondrial organization in optic atrophy due to OPA1 mutations.

Liao C. et al, (2017), Neurology, 88, 131 - 142

Insights into pancreatic β cell energy metabolism using rodent β cell models.

Morten KJ. et al, (2017), Wellcome Open Res, 2

PHENOTYPIC CHANGES AND DRUG SENSITIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH AN ATG18 MUTATION IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM

Breglio KF. et al, (2017), AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE, 97, 403 - 403

Insights into pancreatic β cell energy metabolism using rodent β cell models.

Morten KJ. et al, (2017), Wellcome open research, 2

Insights into pancreatic β cell energy metabolism using rodent β cell models.

Morten KJ. et al, (2017), Wellcome open research, 2, 14 - 14

Exposure to zidovudine adversely affects mitochondrial turnover in primary T cells.

Wallace ZR. et al, (2016), Antiviral Res, 133, 178 - 182

phagy and Immune Senescence.

Zhang H. et al, (2016), Trends Mol Med, 22, 671 - 686

Non-canonical autophagy LAPs lupus.

Simon AK. and Clarke AJ., (2016), Cell Death Differ, 23, 1267 - 1268

The autophagy gene Atg16l1 differentially regulates Treg and TH2 cells to control intestinal inflammation.

Kabat AM. et al, (2016), Elife, 5

Erratum.

(2016), Autophagy, 12

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition).

Klionsky DJ. et al, (2016), Autophagy, 12, 1 - 222

phagy in T and B Lymphocytes

Clarke AJ. and Simon AK., (2016), 171 - 184

The autophagy gene Atg16I1 differentially regulates Treg and TH2 cells to control intestinal inflammation

Kabat AM. et al, (2016), ELIFE, 5

Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age.

Simon AK. et al, (2015), Proc Biol Sci, 282

Techniques for the Detection of Autophagy in Primary Mammalian Cells.

Puleston D. et al, (2015), Cold Spring Harb Protoc, 2015

phagy limits proliferation and glycolytic metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia.

Watson AS. et al, (2015), Cell Death Discov, 1

phagy is activated in systemic lupus erythematosus and required for plasmablast development.

Clarke AJ. et al, (2015), Ann Rheum Dis, 74, 912 - 920

phagy controls acquisition of aging features in macrophages

Stranks AJ. et al, (2015), Journal of Innate Immunity, 7, 375 - 391

New roles for autophagy and spermidine in T cells.

Puleston DJ. and Simon AK., (2015), Microb Cell, 2, 91 - 93

Current questions and possible controversies in autophagy.

Lindqvist LM. et al, (2015), Cell Death Discov, 1

n animal model mimicking pedunculopontine nucleus cholinergic degeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Pienaar IS. et al, (2015), Brain Struct Funct, 220, 479 - 500

Mitochondrial damage contributes to Pseudomonas aeruginosa activation of the inflammasome and is downregulated by autophagy.

Jabir MS. et al, (2015), Autophagy, 11, 166 - 182

phagy Controls Acquisition of Aging Features in Macrophages.

Stranks AJ. et al, (2015), J Innate Immun, 7, 375 - 391

Mitochondrial DNA instability and dysregulated mitochondrial quality control contribute to progressive retinal ganglion cell loss in dominant optic atrophy

Yu-Wai-Man P. et al, (2015), INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 56

Essential role for autophagy during invariant NKT cell development.

Salio M. et al, (2014), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 111, E5678 - E5687

Dual proteolytic pathways govern glycolysis and immune competence.

Lu W. et al, (2014), Cell, 159, 1578 - 1590

phagy is a critical regulator of memory CD8(+) T cell formation.

Puleston DJ. et al, (2014), Elife, 3

p38 signaling inhibits mTORC1-independent autophagy in senescent human CD8⁺ T cells.

Henson SM. et al, (2014), J Clin Invest, 124, 4004 - 4016

Caspase-1 cleavage of the TLR adaptor TRIF inhibits autophagy and β-interferon production during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Jabir MS. et al, (2014), Cell Host Microbe, 15, 214 - 227

phagy in the immune system.

Puleston DJ. and Simon AK., (2014), Immunology, 141, 1 - 8

phagy in stem cells.

Guan J-L. et al, (2013), Autophagy, 9, 830 - 849

Transcriptional up-regulation of ULK1 by ATF4 contributes to cancer cell survival.

Pike LRG. et al, (2013), Biochem J, 449, 389 - 400

Tightrope act: autophagy in stem cell renewal, differentiation, proliferation, and aging.

Phadwal K. et al, (2013), Cell Mol Life Sci, 70, 89 - 103

T. rex attacks the lysosome.

Simon AK. and Ballabio A., (2013), Nat Immunol, 14, 10 - 12

Tightrope act: Autophagy in stem cell renewal, differentiation, proliferation, and aging

Phadwal K. et al, (2013), Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 70, 89 - 103

TF4 orchestrates a program of BH3-only protein expression in severe hypoxia.

Pike LRG. et al, (2012), Mol Biol Rep, 39, 10811 - 10822

TF4 orchestrates a program of BH3-only protein expression in severe hypoxia.

Pike LRG. et al, (2012), Molecular biology reports, 39, 10811 - 10822

Deleterious mutations in LRBA are associated with a syndrome of immune deficiency and autoimmunity.

Lopez-Herrera G. et al, (2012), Am J Hum Genet, 90, 986 - 1001

Deleterious mutations in LRBA are associated with a syndrome of immune deficiency and autoimmunity

Lopez-Herrera G. et al, (2012), American Journal of Human Genetics, 90, 986 - 1001

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy.

Klionsky DJ. et al, (2012), Autophagy, 8, 445 - 544

novel method for autophagy detection in primary cells: impaired levels of macroautophagy in immunosenescent T cells.

Phadwal K. et al, (2012), Autophagy, 8, 677 - 689

Rank signaling links the development of invariant γδ T cell progenitors and Aire(+) medullary epithelium.

Roberts NA. et al, (2012), Immunity, 36, 427 - 437

The immune response to melanoma is limited by thymic selection of self-antigens.

Träger U. et al, (2012), PLoS One, 7

Declining autophagy levels in T cells with age leads to features of immunosenescence in mice and humans

Puleston D. et al, (2012), IMMUNOLOGY, 137, 94 - 94

Dysregulated mitophagy and mitochondrial transport in severe inherited optic atrophy due to OPA1 mutations

Poulton J. et al, (2012), JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, 49, S85 - S85

DELETERIOUS LRBA MUTATIONS IN A NOVEL SYNDROME OF IMMUNE DEFICIENCY AND AUTOIMMUNITY

Lopez-Herrera G. et al, (2012), JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, 32, 251 - 251

Mutations in LRBA are Associated with a Syndrome of Immune Deficiency and Autoimmunity

Lopez-Herrera G. et al, (2012), JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, 32, 363 - 364

TF4 orchestrates a program of BH3-only protein expression in severe hypoxia.

Pike LRG. et al, (2012), Molecular biology reports, 39, 10811 - 10822

HspB8 mutation causing hereditary distal motor neuropathy impairs lysosomal delivery of autophagosomes.

Kwok AS. et al, (2011), J Neurochem, 119, 1155 - 1161

HspB8 mutation causing hereditary distal motor neuropathy impairs lysosomal delivery of autophagosomes

Kwok AS. et al, (2011), Journal of Neurochemistry, 119, 1155 - 1161

ctivation of autophagy by α-herpesviruses in myeloid cells is mediated by cytoplasmic viral DNA through a mechanism dependent on stimulator of IFN genes.

Rasmussen SB. et al, (2011), J Immunol, 187, 5268 - 5276

Signalling of DNA damage and cytokines across cell barriers exposed to nanoparticles depends on barrier thickness.

Sood A. et al, (2011), Nat Nanotechnol, 6, 824 - 833

Lack of autophagy in the hematopoietic system leads to loss of hematopoietic stem cell function and dysregulated myeloid proliferation.

Mortensen M. et al, (2011), Autophagy, 7, 1069 - 1070

phagy in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

Watson AS. et al, (2011), Cell Cycle, 10, 1719 - 1725

The autophagy protein Atg7 is essential for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance.

Mortensen M. et al, (2011), J Exp Med, 208, 455 - 467

Signalling of DNA damage and cytokines across cell barriers exposed to nanoparticles depends on barrier thickness

Sood A. et al, (2011), Nature Nanotechnology

Novel role of regulatory T cells in limiting early neutrophil responses in skin.

Richards H. et al, (2010), Immunology, 131, 583 - 592

Mitochondrial clearance by autophagy in developing erythrocytes: clearly important, but just how much so?

Mortensen M. et al, (2010), Cell Cycle, 9, 1901 - 1906

Nonredundant role of Atg7 in mitochondrial clearance during erythroid development.

Mortensen M. and Simon AK., (2010), Autophagy, 6, 423 - 425

Potent adaptive immune responses induced against HIV-1 gp140 and influenza virus HA by a polyanionic carbomer.

Krashias G. et al, (2010), Vaccine, 28, 2482 - 2489

Loss of autophagy in erythroid cells leads to defective removal of mitochondria and severe anemia in vivo.

Mortensen M. et al, (2010), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107, 832 - 837

Depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells enhances natural killer T cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity in a murine mammary breast cancer model.

Hong H. et al, (2010), Clin Exp Immunol, 159, 93 - 99

Enhanced immune recognition of cryptic glycan markers in human tumors.

Newsom-Davis TE. et al, (2009), Cancer Res, 69, 2018 - 2025

The in£uence of CD25+ cells on the generation of immunity to tumour cell lines in mice

Jones E. et al, (2008), 149 - 157

Positive and negative influences of regulatory T cells on tumour immunity.

Gallimore AM. and Simon AK., (2008), Oncogene, 27, 5886 - 5893

BAC-mediated transgenic expression of fluorescent autophagic protein Beclin 1 reveals a role for Beclin 1 in lymphocyte development.

Arsov I. et al, (2008), Cell Death Differ, 15, 1385 - 1395

Generation of tumour-rejecting anti-carbohydrate monoclonal antibodies using melanoma modified with Fas ligand.

Simon AK. et al, (2008), Int Immunol, 20, 525 - 534

Regulatory T cells inhibit Fas ligand-induced innate and adaptive tumour immunity.

Simon AK. et al, (2007), Eur J Immunol, 37, 758 - 767

Regulatory T cells inhibit Fas ligand-induced innate and adaptive tumour immunity

Simon AK. et al, (2007), EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, 37, 758 - 767

Inhibition of innate immune responses to tumours by CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Richards HE. et al, (2005), IMMUNOLOGY, 116, 36 - 36

Fas Ligand breaks tolerance to self antigens, induces tumour immunity and helps to generate tumour-rejecting monoclonal antibodies

Simon AK. et al, (2005), IMMUNOLOGY, 116, 38 - 38

The influence of CD25+ cells on the generation of immunity to tumour cell lines in mice.

Jones E. et al, (2004), Novartis Found Symp, 256, 149 - 152

mutation in Af4 is predicted to cause cerebellar ataxia and cataracts in the robotic mouse.

Isaacs AM. et al, (2003), J Neurosci, 23, 1631 - 1637

Fas ligand breaks tolerance to self-antigens and induces tumor immunity mediated by antibodies.

Simon AK. et al, (2002), Cancer Cell, 2, 315 - 322

Suicide determines self.

Medema JP. and Simon AK., (2002), Cell Death Differ, 9, 364 - 366

Depletion of CD25+ regulatory cells results in suppression of melanoma growth and induction of autoreactivity in mice.

Jones E. et al, (2002), Cancer Immun, 2

Depletion of CD25+ regulatory cells results in suppression of melanomagrowth and induction of autoreactivity in mice

Jones E. et al, (2002), Cancer Immunity, 5, 1 - 12

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in T cell development: sensitivity of human thymocytes.

Simon AK. et al, (2001), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 98, 5158 - 5163

The lack of NF-kappa B transactivation and PKC epsilon expression in CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes correlates with negative selection.

Simon AK. et al, (2000), Cell Death Differ, 7, 1253 - 1262

Consequences of intrathymic TCR engagement by partial agonist on selection events and peripheral T cell activation program.

Auphan N. et al, (1998), J Immunol, 160, 4810 - 4821

Interferon-regulatory factors during development of CD4 and CD8 thymocytes.

Simon AK. et al, (1997), Immunology, 91, 340 - 345

Developmental control of antigen-induced thymic transcription factors.

Simon AK. et al, (1996), Int Immunol, 8, 1421 - 1428

Two signaling pathways can lead to Fas ligand expression in CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones.

Anel A. et al, (1995), Eur J Immunol, 25, 3381 - 3387

Divergent T-cell cytokine patterns in inflammatory arthritis.

Simon AK. et al, (1994), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 91, 8562 - 8566

nalysis of cytokine profiles in synovial T cell clones from chlamydial reactive arthritis patients: predominance of the Th1 subset.

Simon AK. et al, (1993), Clin Exp Immunol, 94, 122 - 126

In situ localization of HLA class I mRNA in human testis.

Janitz M. et al, (1993), Exp Clin Immunogenet, 10, 202 - 207

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