Exploring the role of the AHR in Gut Immunology

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Exploring the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in gut immunology in health and disease

• IRAS ID

  179353

• Contact name

  James Lindsay

• Sponsor organisation

  Queen Mary University of London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 8 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  This study will investigate the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in healthy and inflamed human intestine. Recent population based studies have shown environmental factors like diet are important modifiable risk factors for the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colon cancer. The AhR has been shown in mouse models to function as an essential mediator of communication between the environment and the intestinal immune system. We hypothesise the AHR is also important in human health and disease and may allow signalling molecules from our diet, the environment and gut bacteria to influence our immune system.
  We will determine which cells signal through AhR in the intestine in health and in patients with gastrointestinal disease. We will compare the expression of AhR activated genes and the impact of stimuli to this pathway on intestinal immune cell function in health and disease.

  We plan to recruit healthy volunteers and patients selected from a population already scheduled for colonoscopy (or surgery) at Barts Health NHS Trust. Adults ages 18 to 70 be eligible for this study. Patients found to have a normal colonoscopy at the time of their procedure would be included as controls.

  Study participants would be asked to provide a detailed medical history including smoking, medication history, family history, a detailed dietary assessment and the extent and severity of IBD (as appropriate).
  In patients undergoing colonoscopy up to 8 additional tissue samples from the small and large bowel would be taken for analysis. Separately stool and blood samples will be collected. No further samples will be required after this. In other patients blood and stool alone will be collected. Recruitment and analysis with the aims above is anticipated to take 36 months.
  Biological samples will be stored and analysed at the Blizard Institute, QMUL.
  This research is fully funded through Barts Charity.

• REC name

  London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/LO/0080

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Mar 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion