Characterisation of satellite cells in patients with limb ischemia

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Isolating and determining satellite cell function in peripheral artery disease

  • IRAS ID

    193340

  • Contact name

    Janice Tsui

  • Contact email

    janice.tsui@ucl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 0 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Peripheral Arterial Disease (abbreviated to PAD) is a common condition where the blood supply to the legs is impaired resulting in damage to the muscle cells. This can be extremely painful and, if severe requires limb amputation. Currently the treatment of PAD is limited to attempting to improve blood flow to the leg but many patients continue to have reduced muscle function, which affects their quality of life. Current research shows that muscles have special cells that can regenerate, ‘muscle stem cells,’ however in PAD they do not regenerate effectively.
    In order to further understand the molecular mechanisms underlying dysfunctional muscle restoration we would like to further characterise muscle stem cells, called satellite cells, and factors that influence their behaviour. Particularly focusing on whether those that have had a reduced blood supply behave in a different manner to muscle cells that received a good blood supply.
    We will also investigate whether particles released from ischemic muscle and satellite cells are different to those released from healthy cells and how these particles impact muscle regeneration. In addition patients with PAD have an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke which could be due to distant effects of the diseased muscle. A better understanding of these mechanisms may improve treatment for PAD and related diseases in the future.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 7

  • REC reference

    16/WA/0198

  • Date of REC Opinion

    11 Jul 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion