Mitochondrial DAMPs as biomarkers for gut inflammation. Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mitochondrial DAMPs as mechanistic biomarkers of mucosal inflammation in paediatric Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (Mini-MUSIC)
IRAS ID
321507
Contact name
Gwo-Tzer Ho
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Our study focuses on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC) in children. Paediatric IBD (PIBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Children with IBD experience debilitating symptoms and can become unwell with complications such as malnutrition, infections and gut perforation. Their quality of life can be badly affected, particularly mental well-being and ability to work or attend school.
In PIBD, one of the most important treatment goals is endoscopic healing of the bowel - where there is no evidence of active inflammation seen during endoscopy. This leads to the best prognosis reduces complications. Ileo-colonoscopy is the Gold-Standard for monitoring however carries with it the issues of poor patient tolerance, associated complications and finite NHS resources. Currently, we do not have reliable non-invasive markers that predict active inflammation.
Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are molecules that are released during damage to tissue (in this case, the gut in IBD), known as self 'danger-signals' that activate and maintain inflammation. We have shown that DAMPs are released during active IBD and they may be useful in assessing the level of gut wall inflammation in IBD. The Mini-MUSIC project will expand the MUSIC trial by studying individuals, aged 6-17years, who have presented with either a new diagnosis of IBD, a flare of their IBD or are changing medications. We aim to prospectively assess participants with CD and UC at 0 months, 3 months and 12 months. The assessment will include blood tests with optional stool and saliva tests. If an endoscopy is performed as part of their standard care, this will also be included. The aim is to assess DAMPS and how well this set of ‘biomarkers’ predict bowel healing compared to current tests.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
23/NI/0062
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion