Apoptotic cells in autoimmune rheumatic disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is the accumulation of apoptotic neutrophils in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients due to decreased levels of plasma membrane peroxidation in these cells
IRAS ID
154689
Contact name
Richard Haigh
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
When cells die within the human body, it is necessary for systems to be in place to remove these dead cells. Apoptosis is a programmed form of cell death, and provides the opportunity for the careful removal of cells without provoking inflammation. Cells of the “macrophage” type remove the dead or dying cells by phagocytosis, a process of engulfment and digestion. These macrophages recognise particular “eat-me” signals on the surface of dying cells. We have looked at particular signals such as lipids and oxidised lipids on the surface of blood cells and discovered that the ‘eat me’ signal has to be oxidised by the chemical process of lipid peroxidation in order for the blood cells to be recognised. We now propose to carry out measurements in white blood cells, which are a cell type associated with both infection and inflammation. Patients with immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have impaired clearance of apoptotic blood cells due to a lack of ability of macrophages to recognise dying neutrophils. Our aim is to uncover how the clearance of dead neutrophils might be improved by drug therapy.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0098
Date of REC Opinion
18 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion