Immuno-regulatory mechanisms in Autoimmune Diseases (version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of Immuno-regulatory mechanisms in Autoimmune Disease
IRAS ID
122948
Contact name
Lucy S K Walker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Research summary
Autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 Diabetes, occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. In the case of Type 1 Diabetes, the immune system targets and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. We know that the immune cells responsible for triggering the autoimmune attack are T-cells, but we do not know which type of T-cells are involved, and why they behave this way.
This study aims to characterise immune cells, in particular T-cells, isolated from the blood of people with Diabetes or other autoimmune diseases. Patients recruited to this study will be required to give a maximum of 5 samples of peripheral blood (up to 90mls) at regular clinic visits (maximum study period 5 years). Blood samples will be analysed in the research laboratory to gain information about the nature and functional properties of the immune cells. The blood sample and certain information about the donor (such as how long they have had diabetes) will be recorded in an anonymised manner in a protected database.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0924
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion