Antigen-specific immune cells in thyroid disease: ASPIC study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Antigen-specific immune cells in thyroid disease:ASPIC study
IRAS ID
323708
Contact name
Simon Pearce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
014812, Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Autoimmune thyroid diseases are among the commonest autoimmune disorders, affecting around 4% of women and leading to thyroid gland over-activity (Graves' disease) or under-activity (Hashimoto's disease). While it has been known for 50 years that antibodies in the blood have an important role in causing these conditions, we have little idea about the cells that are making these 'bad' antibodies, which are attacking the thyroid. This study aims to directly identify these antibody-secreting cells, to count them in the blood in people with freshly diagnosed thyroid problems and then follow them during usual NHS treatment, and to find out whether they are mainly located in the blood, in the thyroid or bone marrow. We will develop laboratory assays (known as ELISpot and flow cytometry) that allow us to tag the antibody-secreting cells using a labelled version of the TSHR protein which will specifically bind the 'bad' antibodies on the cell surface. The study is exploratory but will ask participants for repeated blood samples before and during their treatment. We will also ask a small number of people having routine thyroid or eye surgery for additional samples taken under anaesthesia. We will also ask a small number of patients with large thyroid glands (goitre) or with the skin condition called thyroid dermopathy for a sample of cells from their thyroid or skin, respectively.
Identification of the pathogenic cells which make the disease-causing antibodies will allow us to develop better treatments to improve outcome for these common conditions.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0216
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion