Maternal Environment in Pregnancy (MEP) study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the influence of the Maternal Environment in Pregnancy (MEP) on the unborn child and the development of lung disease such as asthma in early life.
IRAS ID
256458
Contact name
Hans Michael Haitchi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
8 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Does illness of the mother during pregnancy such as allergic asthma have an effect on the unborn child to develop asthma in early life?
Background: In the UK, asthma is found in 1 in 11 children and often from allergic/asthmatic mothers, suggesting that disease is inherited through the genes from our parents. One of these asthma genes, ADAM33, makes an enzyme that is normally attached to cells in the airway muscle. In people with asthma the ADAM33 enzyme loses its anchor to the cell surface and is released into the lung.
We know from our animal studies that if mothers suffer from allergic airway inflammation the released form of ADAM33 protein is increased in the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the babies and fills their lungs in the womb. We do not know if this is also the case in human asthma.The aim of this basic science study is to better understand how illnesses such as allergic asthma during pregnancy induce factors such as ADAM33 in the womb that have an effect on the development of asthma.
We will collect different body fluids and tissues before, during and after a routinely planed operation (Caesarean section) in which the baby is delivered out of the womb at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. These research samples are blood, urine, amniotic fluid, tissue from umbilical cord and placenta (tube and vascular organ that connect baby with mother in the womb) that provide oxygen and nutrients to the baby. These samples are normally thrown away.
We will compare samples from healthy mothers and mothers with allergy/asthma or other illnesses during pregnancy. By studying factors such as ADAM33 we will better understand how these factors might influence the development of lung disease and how we could possibly prevent asthma in early life.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0175
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion