Non-eosinophilic biological effects of interleukin 5 (IL-5)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Non-eosinophilic biological effects of interleukin 5 (IL-5) - role of IL-5 in suppressing anti-viral immunity in bronchial epithelial cells and dendritic cells in asthma
IRAS ID
326910
Contact name
Sebastian Johnston
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 25 days
Research summary
This study aims to investigate the role of the protein IL-5 in the immune response to viral infection in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) in the lung and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the blood, particularly plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs). We think that these cells have a receptor for the protein IL-5. IL-5 has been shown to be present in higher levels in those with asthma and more so during viral infection. We suspect that IL-5 reduces the immune response during viral infection in BECS and PBMCs/pDCs by reducing levels of other proteins, namely interferons. Studies have shown increased levels of interferons in the body reduces asthma exacerbations and virus levels. We hope to evaluate if there is a link between IL-5 and interferon, whether new anti-IL-5 treatments for asthma can increase interferon levels and if anti-Il-5 therapy can improve the immune response to viral infection in asthma.
We plan on taking one 100ml blood sample in each of from 5 participants with asthma to obtain PBMCs. The 5 people will already be participating in an ongoing study looking at the Mechanisms of Adverse Effects of Long-acting Beta-agonists in Asthma (MAELABA). The participants will be having bronchoscopies as part of the MAELABA study and we will take 5 brushes during the procedure to obtain BECs for this study.
Eligible participants will be over 18 years of age with a doctor’s diagnosis of asthma and using as required salbutamol only for treatment. All procedures will be performed at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare trust. All samples will be processed at Imperial College London.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0233
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion