Metabolism of senescent T cells Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Modulating the metabolism of senescent human T cells from type 2 diabetics to improve function
IRAS ID
163182
Contact name
Sian M Henson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
As we get older (>70 years), we become more susceptible to infections, even those to which we were immune in our youth. This indicates that the immune system becomes too fragile to be fully effective in the face of the lifelong assault on our bodies by micro-organisms. However the reasons why the T lymphocytes (white blood cells) isolated from old individuals are dysfunctional is not known. Metabolism underlies the fate and function of all cells, how T lymphocytes derive their energy is now being realised and although it is well recognized that the T lymphocytes from older humans have characteristics of senescent cells it is not known how they meet their energy requirements. My preliminary data shows that senescent lymphocytes change how they use both fats and sugars for survival, and become diabetic like. However the role of senescent T lymphocytes in type 2 diabetes has not been looked at, this is important as the immune impairment in people with high blood glucose resemble senescent cells; poor control of infections and reduced vaccination responses. This study aims to determine whether type 2 diabetes causes immune ageing.
Type 2 Diabetics will be recruited from the Royal London Hospital and will be asked to provide a small blood sample so that we may determine their immune profile. This will take place when they are attending the Phlebotomy clinic at the Royal London Hospital and will last approximately 15 minutes. Healthy community dwelling adults will also be invited to provide a small blood sample to act as controls. This visit can take place at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) or in the community and again this visit should last no more than 15 minutes. The immune profile of health and type2 diabetic individuals will be assessed.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0073
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion