EPIGEN2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Epigenetic changes in skin in atopic dermatitis
IRAS ID
323199
Contact name
Michael R Ardern-Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
We are trying to better understand why individuals with atopic dermatitis (eczema) develop persistent skin changes. The regulation of inflammation in the skin is guided by the individual’s genetic make-up that makes them more or less susceptible to flares triggered by a variety of environmental and personal factors such as pollutants and stress. Epigenetic factors represent the consequence of repeated exposures which lead to persistent modifications causing changes in how the genes are expressed. Therefore, epigenetic changes can ‘hard-wire’ in some features of disease and make the disease more resistant to treatment. However, the epigenetic mechanisms that control skin cells between healthy and inflamed epidermis are yet to be fully investigated.
Our goal is to test the hypothesis that the epigenetic state of skin cells (keratinocytes) is different in the inflamed skin of atopic dermatitis and we will explore how this influences the transcriptome and is modified during response to treatment. This project is being run by University Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with University of Southampton.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/1742
Date of REC Opinion
22 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion