Dr Snehlata Kumari
Senior Research Fellow
Frazer Institute
Affiliate of Dermatology Research Centre
Dermatology Research Centre
Dr Snehlata Kumari leads the Skin inflammation and immunity group.
Researcher biography
Dr Snehlata Kumari is a group leader and the head of the Skin Inflammation and Immunity Laboratory at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia. Her international career and academic training spanned Germany, India, and Australia. She is a board member of the Australasian Society for Dermatology Research (ASDR) and a councillor on the International Psoriasis Council.
She has discovered novel signalling mechanisms that regulate the balance between homeostasis and inflammation in the skin. These findings highlight new mechanisms by which inflammatory diseases are initiated and propagated via NF-κB, TNF, IL-20 family cytokines, and necroptotic and apoptotic signalling pathways. Her research work has been published in top-tier journals, including Nature (3x), Nature Communications, Cell Metabolism, and Immunity.
Her scientific contributions have received international recognitions and honours, including the German National Academy of Sciences, the German Research Foundation (DFG), the European Society for Dermatological Research, the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology, and the Young Women Investigators Award from the International Cytokine and Interferon Society.
Overall aims and research focus
- Immunomodulatory mechanisms regulating inflammation and immunity.
- Cellular and cell-soluble factor interactions in inflammatory diseases, including Psoriasis, Hidradenitis Suppurative, and Atopic Dermatitis.
Book Chapters
Chipurupalli, Sandhya, Kumari, Snehlata, Desiderio, Vincenzo and Robinson, Nirmal (2022). Hypoxia-induced stress responses in cancer and cancer stem cells. Handbook of oxidative stress in cancer: mechanistic aspects. (pp. 1829-1843) Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-9411-3_121
Kumari, Snehlata and Pasparakis, Manolis (2017). Epithelial cell death and inflammation in skin. Apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death. (pp. 77-93) edited by Shigekazu Nagata and Hiroyasu Nakano. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/82_2015_466
Journal Articles
Mostina, Mitchell, Sun, Jane, Sim, Seen Ling, Ahmed, Imaan A., Souza-Fonesca-Guimaraes, Fernando, Wolvetang, Ernst J., Brown, Jason, Kumari, Snehlata, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash and Shafiee, Abbas (2025). Coordinated development of immune cell populations in vascularized skin organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 14 (31) e02108, 1-18. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202502108
Dang, Thi Viet Trinh, Mehdi, Ahmed M., Kumari, Snehlata, Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Frazer, Ian H., Hume, David A. and Chandra, Janin (2025). The Involvement of IL-34 in Inflammatory and Malignant Skin Diseases. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 145 (11), 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.05.003
Goh, Nicole Lisa Li-Ann, Abdul Rahim, Nur Jannah, Bhatt, Rituparna, Ong, Si En, Lim, Khai Yee, Gandini, Anastasia, Zeng, Zhen, Kumari, Snehlata and Gabrielli, Brian (2025). Checkpoint Kinase 1 Inhibitor Combined with Low Dose Hydroxyurea Promotes ATM-Activated NF-κB-Dependent Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine Expression in Melanomas. Cancers, 17 (11) 1817, 1817. doi: 10.3390/cancers17111817
Soe, Ye Mon, Sim, Seen Ling and Kumari, Snehlata (2025). Innate immune sensors and cell death—frontiers coordinating homeostasis, immunity, and inflammation in skin. Viruses, 17 (2) 241, 241. doi: 10.3390/v17020241
Narayanan, Divyaa, Sim, Seen Ling and Kumari, Snehlata (2025). Skin immunity and inflammation: cellular interactions and communication. Clinical & Translational Immunology, 14 (11) e70053, e70053. doi: 10.1002/cti2.70053
Tian, Jingru, Shi, Liqing, Zhang, Dingyao, Yao, Xu, Zhao, Ming, Kumari, Snehlata, Lu, Jun, Yu, Di and Lu, Qianjin (2024). Dysregulation in keratinocytes drives systemic lupus erythematosus onset. Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 22 (1) 6149, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41423-024-01240-z
McCulloch, Timothy R., Rossi, Gustavo R., Alim, Louisa, Lam, Pui Yeng, Wong, Joshua K. M., Coleborn, Elaina, Kumari, Snehlata, Keane, Colm, Kueh, Andrew J., Herold, Marco J., Wilhelm, Christoph, Knolle, Percy A., Kane, Lawrence, Wells, Timothy J. and Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes, Fernando (2024). Dichotomous outcomes of TNFR1 and TNFR2 signaling in NK cell-mediated immune responses during inflammation. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 9871, 1-16. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54232-y
Patrick, Ralph, Naval-Sanchez, Marina, Deshpande, Nikita, Huang, Yifei, Zhang, Jingyu, Chen, Xiaoli, Yang, Ying, Tiwari, Kanupriya, Esmaeili, Mohammadhossein, Tran, Minh, Mohamed, Amin R., Wang, Binxu, Xia, Di, Ma, Jun, Bayliss, Jacqueline, Wong, Kahlia, Hun, Michael L., Sun, Xuan, Cao, Benjamin, Cottle, Denny L., Catterall, Tara, Barzilai-Tutsch, Hila, Troskie, Robin-Lee, Chen, Zhian, Wise, Andrea F., Saini, Sheetal, Soe, Ye Mon, Kumari, Snehlata, Sweet, Matthew J. ... Nefzger, Christian M. (2024). The activity of early-life gene regulatory elements is hijacked in aging through pervasive AP-1-linked chromatin opening. Cell Metabolism, 36 (8), 1858-1881.e23. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.06.006
Koerner, Lioba, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Wagner, Theresa, Jiao, Huipeng and Pasparakis, Manolis (2024). ZBP1 causes inflammation by inducing RIPK3-mediated necroptosis and RIPK1 kinase activity-independent apoptosis. Cell Death and Differentiation, 31 (7), 938-953. doi: 10.1038/s41418-024-01321-6
Kumari, Snehlata, Zemek, Rachael M, Palendira, Umaimainthan and Ebert, Lisa M (2023). Celebrating 100 years of Immunology & Cell Biology – a special focus on the field of tumor immunology in Australia. Immunology and Cell Biology, 101 (9), 783-788. doi: 10.1111/imcb.12690
Liu, Timothy J., Lin, Lynlee L., McMeniman, Erin, Wu, Jason, Kao, Yung-Ching, Kumari, Snehlata, Boyle, Glen M., Wells, James W., Soyer, H. Peter and Gonzalez-Cruz, Jazmina L. (2022). Cytokine/Chemokine assessment as a complementary diagnostic tool for inflammatory skin diseases. Frontiers in Immunology, 13 1028435, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028435
Sim, Seen Ling, Kumari, Snehlata, Kaur, Simranpreet and Khosrotehrani, Kiarash (2022). Macrophages in skin wounds: functions and therapeutic potential. Biomolecules, 12 (11) 1659, 1-31. doi: 10.3390/biom12111659
Murphy, Peter R., Narayanan, Divyaa and Kumari, Snehlata (2022). Methods to identify immune cells in tissues with a focus on skin as a model. Current Protocols, 2 (7) e485, e485. doi: 10.1002/cpz1.485
Kumari, Snehlata, Van, Trieu-My, Preukschat, Daniela, Schuenke, Hannah, Basic, Marijana, Bleich, André, Klein, Ulf and Pasparakis, Manolis (2021). NF-κB inhibition in keratinocytes causes RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and skin inflammation. Life Science Alliance, 4 (6) e202000956, e202000956. doi: 10.26508/lsa.202000956
Laurien, Lucie, Nagata, Masahiro, Schünke, Hannah, Delanghe, Tom, Wiederstein, Janica L., Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Corona, Teresa, Krüger, Marcus, Bertrand, Mathieu J. M., Kondylis, Vangelis and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Autophosphorylation at serine 166 regulates RIP kinase 1-mediated cell death and inflammation. Nature Communications, 11 (1) 1747, 1747. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15466-8
Jiao, Huipeng, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Lin, Juan, Eren, Remzi Onur, Fisher, Amanda, Lane, Rebecca, Young, George R., Kassiotis, George, Kaiser, William J. and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Publisher Correction: Z-nucleic-acid sensing triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and inflammation (Nature, (2020), 580, 7803, (391-395), 10.1038/s41586-020-2129-8). Nature, 580 (7804), 391-395. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2207-y
Jiao, Huipeng, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Kumari, Snehlata, Schwarzer, Robin, Lin, Juan, Eren, Remzi Onur, Fisher, Amanda, Lane, Rebecca, Young, George R., Kassiotis, George, Kaiser, William J. and Pasparakis, Manolis (2020). Z-nucleic-acid sensing triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis and inflammation. Nature, 580 (7803), 391-395+. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2129-8
Kondylis, Vangelis, Kumari, Snehlata, Vlantis, Katerina and Pasparakis, Manolis (2017). The interplay of IKK, NF-κB and RIPK1 signaling in the regulation of cell death, tissue homeostasis and inflammation. Immunological Reviews, 277 (1), 113-127. doi: 10.1111/imr.12550
Lin, Juan, Kumari, Snehlata, Kim, Chun, Van, Trieu-My, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Polykratis, Apostolos and Pasparakis, Manolis (2016). RIPK1 counteracts ZBP1-mediated necroptosis to inhibit inflammation. Nature, 540 (7631), 124-128. doi: 10.1038/nature20558
Kumari, Snehlata, Redouane, Younes, Lopez-Mosqueda, Jaime, Shiraishi, Ryoko, Romanowska, Malgorzata, Lutzmayer, Stefan, Kuiper, Jan, Martinez, Conception, Dikic, Ivan, Pasparakis, Manolis and Ikeda, Fumiyo (2014). Sharpin prevents skin inflammation by inhibiting TNFR1-induced keratinocyte apoptosis. Elife, 3 e03422. doi: 10.7554/eLife.03422
Kumari, Snehlata, Herzberg, Benjamin, Pofahl, Ruth, Krieg, Thomas and Haase, Ingo (2014). Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen-induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134 (10), 2541-2550. doi: 10.1038/jid.2014.193
Dannappel, Marius, Vlantis, Katerina, Kumari, Snehlata, Polykratis, Apostolos, Kim, Chun, Wachsmuth, Laurens, Eftychi, Christina, Lin, Juan, Corona, Teresa, Hermance, Nicole, Zelic, Matija, Kirsch, Petra, Basic, Marijana, Bleich, Andre, Kelliher, Michelle and Pasparakis, Manolis (2014). RIPK1 maintains epithelial homeostasis by inhibiting apoptosis and necroptosis. Nature, 513 (7516), 90-94. doi: 10.1038/nature13608
Kumari, Snehlata, Bonnet, Marion C., Ulvmar, Maria H., Wolk, Kerstin, Karagianni, Niki, Witte, Ellen, Uthoff-Hachenberg, Claudia, Renauld, Jean-Christophe, Kollias, George, Toftgard, Rune, Sabat, Robert, Pasparakis, Manolis and Haase, Ingo (2013). Tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24-dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice. Immunity, 39 (5), 899-911. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.10.009
Conference Papers
Murphy, P. R. and Kumari, S. (2023). Immunomodulatory roles of danger-associated molecular patterns in skin inflammation. 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Tokyo, Japan, 12-13 May 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier.
Kumari, S., Lin, J., Kim, S., Van, T-M, Wachsmuth, L., Polykratis, A. and Pasparakis, M. (2018). Cell Death and the Regulatory Network of DAMPs in Skin Inflammation. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
Kumari, S., Van, T. and Pasparakis, M. (2018). IKK/NF-kB signaling in keratinocytes controls TNF-dependent necroptosis- and apoptosis-mediated skin inflammation. International Investigative Dermatology (IID) Meeting, Orlando Fl, May 16-19, 2018. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
Kumari, S., Van, T. and Pasparakis, M. (2016). Role of RIP kinase signalling in the development of skin inflammation in mice with keratinocyte-specific IKK deficiency. Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research (ESDR), Munich Germany, Sep 07-10, 2016. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.06.354
Kumari, S., Bonnet, M., Witte, E., Wolk, K., Kollias, G., Sabat, R., Pasparakis, M. and Haase, I. (2014). Altered tumor necrosis factor receptor signaling in keratinocytes triggers interleukin-24-dependent psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice. 41st Annual Meeting of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft-Dermatologische-Forschung (ADF), Cologne Germany, Mar 13-15, 2014. HOBOKEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Kumari, S., Krieg, T. and Haase, J. (2013). Epidermal RelA specifically restricts contact allergen induced inflammation and apoptosis in skin. International Investigative Dermatology Meeting, Edinburgh Scotland, May 08-11, 2013. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Kumari, S., Pasparakis, M., Sabat, R. and Haase, I. (2012). Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-alpha and IL-24 dependent mechanism. 75th Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Investigative-Dermatology, Raleigh Nc, May 09-12, 2012. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Kumari, S. and Haase, I. (2011). Control of psoriasis-like skin inflammation by epidermal keratinocytes through a tumour necrosis factor-alpha- and interleukin-24-dependent mechanism. 6th International Congress of Psoriasis - from Gene to Clinic, London England, Dec 01-03, 2011. MALDEN: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
Kumari, Snehlata and Haase, Ingo (2011). Epidermal control of psoriasis like skin inflammation by a TNF-a and IL-24 dependent mechanism. 41st Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research, Barcelona Spain, Sep 07-10, 2011. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.
Kumari, Snehlata, Pasparakis, Manolis and Haase, Ingo (2010). Systemic recruitment of myeloid cells upon deletion of IKK2 from epidermal keratinocytes. 40th Annual Meeting of the European-Society-for-Dermatological-Research (ESDR 2010), Helsinki Finland, Sep 08-11, 2010. NEW YORK: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP.