Use of perioperative surplus skin for study of skin immune responses
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of perioperative surplus skin for study of skin immune responses
IRAS ID
160717
Contact name
Graham Ogg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Research summary
It is already known that structural components of the skin such a filaggrin and the cellular lymphocytic infiltrate are important in diseases such atopic dermatitis. T-cells in particular are seen to be important cells of the immune system involved in many common and important skin diseases. We have recently identified a new population of lymphoid cells (innate lymphoid cells) in the skin of patients with inflammatory skin disease, but we know little of the frequency and architecture of these cells in a large population of patients and how the cells function in relation to skin structure. We now wish to systematically define the frequency and phenotype of the innate lymphoid cells, in particular how they interact with structural cells of the skin. A better knowledge for lymphoid cell location and function in the skin in relation to skin structure will increase our understanding of immune responses in the skin and will have implications for treatments for skin diseases.
During skin surgery, surplus skin is often removed in order to ensure a better wound which means better healing and an improved scar. These are normally discarded. Such pieces of skin provide an excellent opportunity to investigate skin structure and lymphoid cell function.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1153
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion