Measuring and manipulating melanocyte/keratinocyte ratios
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing methods of measuring and manipulating melanocyte/keratinocyte ratios to inform potential treatment of vitiligo vulgaris.
IRAS ID
206446
Contact name
Neha Shetty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 28 days
Research summary
Vitiligo is a common skin disorder where patches of skin lose their colour
(pigmentation). Vitiligo results from loss of cells that secrete melanin, the substance that gives skin its colour. While not life threatening it is cosmetically,socially significant in its impact particularly in some cultures
Implantation of cultured melanocytes and keratinocytes has been tried in the treatment of vitiligo. Its effectiveness may be enhanced by modulating cells in co-culture. Being able to maintain an optimal ratio of these cells during the culture process may make novel therapeutic measures more predictable in outcome. There is an existing knowledge base for clinical application of cultured keratinocyte sheets to treat vitiligo however this research will add to and extend this. Cells will be grown in a lab where different methods will be used to influence the proliferation and behaviour of these cells. These methods will be ultraviolet light, hormones and physical manipulation of cells. This research will attempt to find the best methods to achieve optimal culture results. The originality is in the fact that these methods are tested in combination with each other as well on their own, and applied to a two cell co-culture. Analysis will be made without interrupting the culture process.Research questions to be answered are:
1) Can reliable and reproducible methods be created for measuring ratios of different cell types during monolayer co-culture using image processing?
2) Can the ratios of these different cell types in co-culture be altered using environmental, biochemical or physical methods?REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1395
Date of REC Opinion
5 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion