Isolation of immune cells from the skin
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Isolation of immune cells from the skin: Procurement of human skin to generate tissue resident gamma delta T cells to enable development of a potential cancer immunotherapy
IRAS ID
252359
Contact name
Sharon Zahra
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
GammaDelta Therapeutics
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 4 days
Research summary
The human skin contains large numbers of immune cells that play a role in health and disease. The majority of resident lymphocytes are "conventional" T cells that express the αβ T cell receptor (TCR); however, there is also a population of "unconventional" lymphocytes, such as T cells that express the gamma delta (γδ) TCR. Data indicates that such gamma delta T cells have an important role in monitoring tissue stress, including recognising transformed cells and hence preventing or combatting tumours. We aim to investigate human tissue-resident γδ T cells for their potential as a cancer immune therapy.
In this proposed study we will obtain skin samples from adults undergoing suitable surgical procedures whose surplus skin would otherwise be routinely discarded. We have established novel methods to isolate and expand skin tissue resident immune cells. We are proceeding towards a clinical trial application for the use of these cells in patients with cancer and skin obtained will be transferred to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) for use as a starting material for the manufacture of an investigational gamma delta T cell therapy for patients with cancer as part of a planned clinical trial. We will additionally use the skin samples to further develop our processes for cell isolation and expansion to optimise yield and biological function.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
19/WA/0148
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion