Characterisation of the airway epithelium in children (version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Functional characterisation of the airway epithelium in children
IRAS ID
178672
Contact name
Malcolm Brodlie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited condition in the UK and life-limiting due to lung disease. In CF lung mucus is viscous, acidic and difficult to clear, causing chronic lung infections and damage.
Valid experimental models are needed to study CF lung disease. Primary airway cells, cultured directly from people with CF form an important and relevant research model. Lower airway cells can be collected by brushing the lining of the lower airway passages. This is opportunistic however and generally performed when a patient is undergoing a bronchoscopy for a clinical reason. Importantly upper airway, or nasal, cells may be sampled from the lining of the nose much less invasively and does not require a general anaesthetic. Repeated sampling is also achievable. Once collected, cells are cultured in the laboratory and experiments are performed.
The study objective is to characterise nasal and lower airway cells from children with CF to provide information regarding the use of nasal airway cells in research. If we are able to show that properties of nasal and lower airway cells are similar, this will provide valuable information regarding the use of nasal cells as a valid research model in CF.
We will collect samples from children with CF undergoing bronchoscopy as part of routine clinical care at the regional CF centre at the Great North Children’s Hospital. With the collected cells, we will make laboratory measurements to analyse salt carriers, acid levels and response to infectious stimuli. We will collect broncho-alveolar lavage samples (lower airway washings) to perform relevant analyses. We will make comparisons from the same individual, between different children with CF and with children who do not have CF and are undergoing bronchoscopy. We expect to recruit 70 children over 3 years.
The study is funded by Newcastle University.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0215
Date of REC Opinion
8 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion