CAM-REG
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Immune Regulation
IRAS ID
281022
Contact name
Joanne Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
9 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to understand human regulatory cells (called “Tregs”).
Tregs are cells of the immune system that help keep the rest of the immune system under control. The main function of our immune system is to protect us from infection, but occasionally our immune systems can get “confused” and can begin to attack normal healthy tissue. When this happens a person is said to have an “autoimmune disease”. Examples include - multiple sclerosis (where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord) and Type I Diabetes (where the immune system attacks the pancreas gland that produces insulin). Autoimmune disorders are thought to be caused, at least in part, by defective Tregs. Tregs also play an important role in preventing graft rejection following organ transplant – for example following kidney transplant.
Although Tregs play a very important role we still have a lot to learn about how they function. Furthermore, we are also only just beginning to understand that several different types of Tregs exist (including some that reside in tissues) that carry out different roles.
In this study, by (i) studying Tregs in the laboratory and (ii) where consent is specifically given by studying Tregs in animal models, we will try and understand how they work and how different types of Tregs may work together to prevent disease.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
21/NS/0011
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion