CHIRP01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Novel Mucosal Correlates Of RSV Protection In Older Adults: A Controlled Human Infection Study with RSV in older People
IRAS ID
324970
Contact name
Christopher Chiu
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of chest infection worldwide. Despite this, it remains an underappreciated health problem, with the first effective RSV vaccines only approved by the FDA in May 2023 and unlikely to be widely available for some time. Although RSV infection is most frequent in young children, most deaths occur in older adults, particularly in those with underlying heart and lung disease. This is believed to be due in part to the ageing immune system's reduced ability to protect against infection and symptomatic disease. However, little is known about the way human immune responses to RSV infection in older individuals differ from those of younger people. Further understanding of the mechanisms underlying immunity and potential impairments in these higher-risk people are therefore necessary.
This project aims to study the factors that influence whether or not older people develop symptomatic RSV disease in healthy older volunteers after they have been given an RSV-induced common cold. Samples will be taken from the blood and nose in order to identify changes in the immune system associated with susceptibility or protection in older adults. Participants will be carefully screened to ensure they do not have any underlying health problems that might make them more at risk of severe disease and will be monitored closely throughout the course of infection. We anticipate that differences in immune markers in the nose and/or blood of healthy older people will predict whether or not such individuals become infected or develop symptoms. By analysing the networks of genes that are switched on and off, we aim to identify the pathways in the immune system responsible for these differences, to ultimately develop improved diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments.
Lay summary of study results: To help understand how the body protects itself against RSV in older adults, researchers used a controlled human infection model (CHIM). This type of study can uniquely address scientific questions around infection and immunity, and researchers can learn how the body responds after RSV infection, how this response changes over time, and which parts of the immune system may help protect against future infection. Twenty healthy older adult volunteers, aged 65-75 years, were given the RSV virus by droplets in the nose, under controlled conditions and with close medical supervision. The volunteers stayed in a residential facility for up to 10 days after being given the virus and were followed up over a period of 6 months. Samples and data were collected throughout the study, including blood samples, nose and throat samples, symptom scores and medical assessments. All volunteers received the same dose of the virus and 12 out of the 20 volunteers became infected (60%), with 11 out of the 12 (92%) infected developing mild symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing. No participants developed serious side effects or serious illness.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0045
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion