Skin Inflammation in Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cellular Response to Inflammation in Generalised and Localised Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex
IRAS ID
285536
Contact name
Adrian Heagerty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Head of Research Governance and Integrity
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Study Title: Cellular Response to Inflammation in Generalised and Localised Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is group of rare genetic diseases that affect different proteins in the skin that maintain integrity. It is a highly heterogeneous disease with over 30 subtypes and can affect patients of any age, often causing debilitating and severe skin blistering and inflammation.
Skin inflammation related to EB is a common feature of all subtypes. Our plan is to perform a pilot study to examine the cellular differences between patients with the more common form of EB simplex (EBS), generalized versus localized and compare these to healthy controls. The study will be located in two sites, the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IRF) situated in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and in the Department of Dermatology in Solihull Hospital, both facilities located in Birmingham.
This study will be sponsored by the University of Birmingham. We aim to recruit a total of 13 adult patients in total; 6 healthy control, 4 EBS-Generalised and 3 EBS localised. Following usual consenting protocols, the study participants will undergo two 4mm punch biopsy of healthy and affected skin conducted by a trained member of the study team. Where applicable, blister fluid will also be collected prior to skin biopsy. Healthy controls will only have one biopsy. Where available patients' blister fluid will be aspirated prior to biopsy and frozen.
The samples will be transferred to the University of Birmingham for longer storage. Analysis of the skin samples will take place at the University of Birmingham.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/PR/0557
Date of REC Opinion
17 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion