Human Immune Cell Development in Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Human Immune Cell Development in Health
IRAS ID
325367
Contact name
Venetia Bigley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The purpose of the study is to investigate how the production of immune cells in the bone marrow is regulated when we are healthy.
The human immune system is our major defence against infections and cancer. It is also responsible for inflammatory diseases and plays a major role in age-related health problems. It is made of many different cells which are created in the bone marrow from stem cells through a process called 'haematopoesis'. The way that immune cells are made and how they function are very important in determining how well the immune system works. Too few or poorly functioning cells can lead to an increased risk of infection or cancer; too many cells or cells which are over active can lead to excessive inflammation and organ damage. The number and cells produced by the bone marrow every day is therefore tightly regulated but we do not know how this is achieved.
To understand this we need samples of bone marrow and blood from healthy volunteers. Using these samples we will be able to see how immune cells develop and what genes and proteins inside the cells control this process.
By identifying ways in which the immune system is regulated we will then be able to see what goes wrong in disease, and identify ways we can improve treatment for patients with infections, cancer, immune system and blood disorders, and patients having a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (also known as a bone marrow transplant).
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0081
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion