ALTERED LEUCOCYTE FUNCTION IN NORMAL AGEING (ALFNA) version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ALTERED LEUCOCYTE FUNCTION IN NORMAL AGEING (ALFNA)
IRAS ID
156158
Contact name
Michelle Linterman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Babraham Institute
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Research summary
The population of the United Kingdom is ageing; currently 23% of the people are over the age of 60, and this is forecast to rise to 28% by the year 2030 (National Population Projections, 2010). Normal ageing is accompanied by a decline in the function of the immune system. This results in an increased susceptibility to infections that can adversely affect the quality of life for an older individual. Vaccination is one of the most successful medical interventions that enables the body to respond quickly to future infections, preventing these adverse health effects. However, the efficacy of vaccination decreases during ageing, resulting in an increased disease burden in the aged population, even with good immunisation programmes in place. Therefore, improving vaccine efficacy in older individuals is a key public health challenge that, if met, would enable all of us to be healthier and more active throughout our lives.
The immunological response to vaccination is a coordinated response of multiple types of white blood cells that act together to generate immunological memory, which provides protection against subsequent infection. One of the key types of white blood cell involved in the response to vaccination are helper T cells, that support the production of pathogen-neutralising antibodies, which can block a pathogen from establishing an infection. This study aims to identify the age-dependent cellular and molecular changes in peripheral blood helper T cells after influenza vaccination. The knowledge emerging from this study will inform strategies to manipulate the vaccine response with the aim of improving efficacy in older individuals.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1077
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion