Use of an in vitro model to study novel influenza vaccines
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of an in vitro model to study novel influenza vaccines
IRAS ID
125206
Contact name
Sarah Gilbert
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development department.
Research summary
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease associated with significant annual morbidity and mortality in the elderly, immunocompromised or the very young. Vaccination is the most effective prophylactic measure in preventing severe illness or death. We have generated novel “universal“ influenza vaccines based on viral vectors which express influenza proteins. These vaccines aim to stimulate/boost a T-cell immune response to “targets“ (or antigens) contained inside the influenza virus (called NP and M1).
The purpose of this study is to evaluate new influenza vaccines in the laboratory, using tonsil and/or adenoid tissue that is removed at operation. This tissue we wish to use would otherwise be discarded following the operation. The study will also involve a blood test taken from participants at the time of operation, so that immunological blood tests and HLA testing can be carried out. The use of these tissues allows us to assess responses to vaccines in human cells (which may have previously been exposed to influenza) and also avoids the need for these tests to be carried out in animals. We hope that data arising from this observational pilot study will help us to improve our influenza vaccine design and to better understand the mechanisms underlying the development of influenza-specific immune responses. Tissue and a blood sample from ~30 adults and ~30 children who are admitted for elective surgery for adenoid and/or tonsil removal at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford will be obtained. We will recruit from the Oxford area, using the operation register at the hospital to identify potential participants. The study will be carried out in the University of Oxford research laboratories and is funded by the NIHR BRC and MRC. We have also applied for further external funding from NC3Rs.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/SC/0152
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion