Lipids in Allergic Sensitisation v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of lipids and natural killer T (NKT) cells in the development of allergic sensitisation.
IRAS ID
272958
Contact name
Lucy Fairclough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergies are overreactions of the immune system in response to harmless substances, such as peanuts, milk, soy, and grass, which result in the production of IgE antibodies. These antibodies trigger certain cells to release chemicals, which cause an allergic reaction. The symptoms of an IgE-mediated allergy typically appear within minutes, including swelling of the throat, nasal congestion, skin rashes, and anaphylaxis (a severe and possibly life-threatening systemic allergic response).\n\nThe prevalence of IgE-mediated allergies is increasing globally. This poses a major public health concern as the mechanisms underpinning allergic sensitisation are currently not understood, making it difficult to manage the disease. Allergic sensitisation is the first phase in the development of IgE-mediated allergies, followed by the second phase, which is the elicitation of symptoms. Allergic sensitisation is the immune response to the very first exposure of a substance, which dictates whether an individual will become allergic to that substance or not. Recent research has suggested lipids (including fats and oils) could play a role in allergic sensitisation, through their recognition by a specific cell type in the body.\n\nThis research aims to build upon recent work at the UoN by developing techniques to isolate and characterise a type of cell found in human blood, NKT cells. The lipid-activation profiles of these NKT cells in allergic and non-allergic patients will be characterised. Additionally, the role of NKT cells and lipid stimuli in the development of allergic sensitisation will be investigated using human cell assays. This work will help understand the mechanisms behind allergic sensitisation and has the potential to be used in the future to test if a substance might drive an allergic response.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0183
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion