Inflammasomes and adipose tissue stem cells in PCOS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME, INFLAMMASOMES AND ADIPOSE TISSUE STEM CELLS: A POSSIBLE NOVEL ASSOCIATION
IRAS ID
305028
Contact name
Saad Amer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest ovarian disorder, affecting ~17% of reproductive age women and is a major cause of infertility. It is characterized by an increased number of ovarian follicles and is frequently associated with anovulation, menstrual irregularities, manifestations of excess male hormones (acne, excess body hair) and insulin resistance (obesity). It is also associated with long-term morbidities such as Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The exact cause of PCOS is largely unexplained and hence the lack of any curative therapy.
Excess male hormone (androgen) and insulin resistance, which are majour features of PCOS, have been closely associated with chronic inflammation, which is prevalent in women with this syndrome. Fat (adipose) tissue is well known as an important site for excess androgen production and chronic inflammation in PCOS.
Inflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes that regulate immune reactions. Amongst these, NLRP3 has been implicated in obesity and diabetes-related chronic inflammation. Similarly, fat tissue stem cells, known as adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been implicated in obesity and diabetes-related chronic inflammation. Given the close association of PCOS, obesity and diabetes it is likely that fat tissue inflammasomes and ASCs may also play a similar role in PCOS.
To date, no previous studies have investigated inflammasomes or ASCs in PCOS. The proposed research aims to study the mechanistic, prognostic and therapeutic roles of adipose tissue inflammasomes and ASCs in PCOS.
Fat biopsies and blood samples will be collected from 50 PCOS women and 50 health controls during routine gynaecological surgical procedures. In few cases, biopsies will be taken through a small skin incision under local anaesthetics in outpatient clinic.
Blood samples will used to measure hormones, inflammatory markers and other relevant substances. Fat biopsies will be analysed in the research laboratory for inflammasomes and ASCs using advanced biochemical and molecular methods.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0282
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion