Immuno-pathogenesis of Paget’s disease of Bone: a preliminary study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immuno-pathogenesis of Paget’s disease of Bone: a preliminary study
IRAS ID
273832
Contact name
Stephen Paul Tuck
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
james Cook University Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Paget’s disease of bone (PDB) is common, but becoming rarer. PDB can be caused by genetic mutations that result in uncontrolled bone cell activity, in particular the osteoclast cells. The cell the osteoclast comes from can also develop into a cell involved in fighting infection: the macrophage. It is therefore possible that the genetic mutation may also increase immune responses to infection giving a survival advantage, e.g. in fighting infections like TB. This may explain why PDB has persisted since at least Roman times. The infection would activate the enhanced immune responses, but have the unwanted side effect of activating bone cells causing PDB to materialise many years later. There are examples of this type of phenomenon, e.g. sickle cell disease is a blood disorder, but it does also make the individual resistant to malaria. If this theory is correct then studying immune responses in blood from people with PDB may provide insights into the causes of PDB and potential targets for treating and/or preventing it. Reduced exposure to infections through a combination of improved public health, vaccination and antibiotics may also explain why PDB is becoming less common. We propose to take blood from 15 men with PDB and from 15 healthy men without bone problems. Cells from their blood will then be grown in culture and their responses to infectious stimuli tested, including various bacteria and TB. This preliminary study will not be comprehensive, but should identify any major differences.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0083
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion