CRH receptors in the vasculature and blood cells
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ex vivo and in vitro experimental models to investigate expression and function of CRH receptors in the vasculature and blood cells
IRAS ID
133986
Contact name
Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Research summary
This study will develop and explore methods to examine receptors in the blood vessels and blood cells in humans. These receptors (CRH-receptors) are thought to play an important role in dilating blood vessels and controlling inflammation. Studies that have been done in this area have mainly used animals, so this will be one of the first studies to look at the receptors in humans. There is evidence that inflammation can influence the expression and the function of these receptors. Another aim of the current study is to investigate the associations between inflammation and these receptors.
The skin and the subcutaneous fat layer are known to have blood vessels. A small full thickness skin biopsy will therefore be used to obtain blood vessels. The biopsies will be taken from different parts of the body (arm, leg, trunk and back) in healthy participants, in order to determine which body site will provide the most suitable biopsy. Once we have determined the most suitable method to obtain and analyse the samples, we will use that method to take a small skin biopsy from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This will allow us to assess the expression and function of these receptors in this patient group compared to the healthy control participants as well as exploring the associations between inflammation and these receptors in more detail. In addition to the blood vessels, we will also investigate the receptors on the blood cells, which will be done in both healthy participants and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0290
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion