Epigenetic Insights in Difficult Asthma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Epigenetic Insights in Difficult Asthma: The Impact of NTHi on DNA Methylation
IRAS ID
347764
Contact name
Jodie Ackland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
Study Focus and Unmet Need:
Asthma affects millions globally, but existing treatments don't work for everyone, especially in preventing worsening symptoms or asthma attacks. Figuring out what causes these attacks is crucial for developing better treatments.
Macrophages, which are immune cells in the lungs, help protect us by getting rid of harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses which can cause asthma attacks. These cells have a kind of memory that influences how they respond to future threats, which we can study by looking at specific patterns on DNA called ‘epigenetic marks’. These marks act like bookmarks that affect how genes are used without changing the DNA itself.
One bacterium linked to asthma is Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). We have found that NTHi can hide inside immune cells, which might change how these cells react to future threats. Our goal is to see if these changes show up in the epigenetic marks on DNA.
Research Question:
How does Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) impact the epigenetic marks of individuals with asthma?
How will this Study be Carried Out:
We will analyse 75 pre-collected DNA samples from patients with severe asthma in the Wessex Asthma Cohort of Difficult Asthma (WATCH). We will use a method that highlights epigenetic marks to study these samples. We will also check samples for the presence of NTHi. By comparing the epigenetic marks in individuals with and without NTHi, we aim to see if specific changes are linked to asthma attacks and if they can predict who is at higher risk.
Why This Study Matters: Understanding how epigenetic marks relate to NTHi in asthma patients can help us better understand what causes asthma attacks. This knowledge could lead to more personalised and effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those with asthma.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
24/ES/0076
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion