Modulation of airway epithelial cell responses by helminth products
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Suppression of human airway epithelial cell inflammatory cytokine release by helminth products
IRAS ID
179570
Contact name
Catherine M McDougall
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Asthma has become increasingly common such that it is now the most common disease in westernised countries. At the same time, as a result of improved hygiene, parasitic infections have become less common in the developed world. It is now widely recognised that the cells lining the airways – airway epithelial cells – make a major contribution to the regulation of inflammation in the lungs, including inflammation associated with asthma. Understanding more about the behaviour of airway epithelial cells and how this may change with age will help us to understand more about disease processes and to develop new treatments for conditions such as asthma. Obtaining airway lining cells from the lungs is difficult. It is much easier and less disturbing to the individual to obtain airway epithelial cells from the back of the nose. In this pilot study, we will obtain nasal lining cells, using a small brush, from children of different ages who are having a planned general anaesthetic at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. We will also obtained nasal brushings from some adult volunteers at the University of Edinburgh. We will then grow the nasal cells in the laboratory and measure the production of inflammatory chemicals that are involved in asthma. Asthma is often triggered by exposure to breathable allergens or viruses. In the laboratory, we will study how stimulation of airway epithelial cells with allergens, such as moulds and pollens, or respiratory viruses affects the production of inflammatory chemicals. We will investigate whether or not substances obtained from a parasite can reduce these inflammatory responses - we have already shown that these substances can reduce asthmatic inflammation in mice but experiments have not yet been done on cells from human beings.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
15/SS/0151
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion