Nasal Immune Challenge Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nasal Immune Challenge Study
IRAS ID
291653
Contact name
Akhilesh Jha
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Respiratory viral infections cause significant illness, especially in vulnerable individuals and is a topic of immense significance during the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Respiratory diseases such as asthma involve inflammation of the airways and viruses are a major cause of asthma attacks. The nose is easier to access than the lungs but has similar cells and is therefore useful to study immune responses throughout the respiratory tract.
Rather than study the effects of a live virus on the immune system, it is possible to give a component or mimic of a virus to simulate an infection in a similar but more straightforward manner, without causing disease.
In this study we will use a nasal spray containing a sterile substance called Resiquimod (also called R848) to mimic a viral infection. Resiquimod does not contain any living organisms and therefore there is no possibility of developing a real infection.
Resiquimod works by binding to receptors in cells that line the inside of the nose (epithelial cells) as well as cells that can fight infection (immune cells). These cells respond to Resiquimod and cause mild inflammation in the nose, similar to a mild cold. We can then take samples to measure this response and investigate how it differs between individuals. This will help us better understand how the human immune system responds to viruses, and which cells and molecules the body uses to defend itself against infection.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0136
Date of REC Opinion
30 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion