B cell lipid rafts abnormalities in Sjogren's syndrome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying B cell hyperactivity in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) – correlations with clinical features and serological abnormalities.
IRAS ID
163246
Contact name
Coziana Ciurtin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Office (part of the Research Support Centre)
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study is designed to investigate cellular abnormalities associated with Sjogren's syndrome by performing different tests on the blood samples from patients with this autoimmune condition. At present we lack treatments able to improve the symptoms and long term outcome of this disease. We propose to investigate the different types of immune cells found in the peripheral blood of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome, and to compare them with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus patients, and healthy volunteers. We are also investigating a specific part of immune cells, the cell membrane, which forms the outside surface of immune cells and plays a very important part in cell function. It is already recognised that a specialised subset of immune cells, called B cells, are very active in this disease. Therefore we hope to identify abnormalities within the B cell membrane associated with defects in B cell activation. We also plan to characterise different sub-types of B cells that are associated with various clinical features of this disease. The disease activity will be assessed by several questionnaires. We hope that our research will lead to better treatments in the future and a more personalised therapeutic approach in SS, based on cellular and molecular features of the disease and their correlation with clinical picture.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2016
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion