Immunometabolism in Autoimmunity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immunometabolism in Autoimmunity
IRAS ID
250608
Contact name
Alexander Clarke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Clinical Trials and Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 9 days
Research summary
There is a growing understanding that the metabolic state and energy source of an immune cell can profoundly affect its behaviour and the outcome of the immune response. However, how immune cell metabolism varies in human autoimmune disease is largely unknown. Understanding this is important, because it has the potential to lead to new therapeutic strategies.
We will study metabolism in immune cells from the blood of patients with the often severe autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and compare them with patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and healthy volunteers. We will collect samples on a prospective basis over 5 years, during routine secondary care outpatient visits. All patients meeting recognised diagnostic criteria for SLE or rheumatoid arthritis identified during clinic attendance will be invited to participate, but there will be some exclusions if there has been a recent change of treatment which could affect results. For most patients, only a single blood sample will be taken, but a small subset will be invited to donate a limited number of further blood samples over time. Samples will be anonymised after recording basic clinical data. In addition to studying cells, we will also collect and store DNA to look for a genetic basis for our results. We will also include patients and controls recruited in a previous study who had given consent for their stored samples to be used for further research.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1527
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion