Investigating the impact of age on the immune system (Im-AGE) V 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the impact of ageing on the immune system (Im-AGE)
IRAS ID
165272
Contact name
Sarah Jayne Clements
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
2013/2014-93HT, Faculty of Medicine & Health Ethical approval (University of East Anglia); 2014DIET02L (132-09-14), Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital study registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 15 days
Research summary
There is a reduction in immune fitness with increasing age, which is apparent in elderly individuals who are generally more susceptible to infection, have reduced response to vaccinations and an increased risk of age-associated diseases such as cancer. While, much research has been carried out to investigate the impact of age on adaptive immune cells; much less attention has been paid to antigen presenting cells. Recent studies have demonstrated alterations in numbers and, or functional ability of dendritic cell subsets between aged and young subjects, while other groups have not observed these differences. The current opinion of the effect of ageing on dendritic cell subsets is therefore conflicting and unclear, potentially due to use of varied methodology. The hypothesis for this study is that the ratio of dendritic cells will differ between young and elderly subjects. Additionally, the dendritic cells from the young subjects will express different levels of proteins post stimulation when compared with dendritic cells from elderly subjects, hence there will be a functional difference between the two age groups.This study will involve the collection of blood samples from young participants (18-40 y) in order to compare numbers and function of dendritic cells with data already collected from a cohort of elderly participants in the Nu-AGE study. This will take place at the Norfolk and Norwich University (NNU) Hospital and will involve eligible individuals already having a blood test, who have consented to provide an additional blood sample for research. Participants will be deemed eligible by answering questions on a questionnaire with the GCP trained researchers to ensure exclusion of appropriate individuals; such as those outside of the study age range, with illnesses including type I diabetes, pregnant of breastfeeding women and anyone taking antibiotics within the past 2 months. This research is funded by the University of East Anglia.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0038
Date of REC Opinion
25 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion