Modulation of persistent inflammation in asthma by drug repositioning
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Modulation of persistent inflammation in asthma by drug repositioning
IRAS ID
209771
Contact name
Michael David Shields
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The airway lining cells of the breathing tubes (bronchi and nasal passages) are the first contact with the external environment and are thus important for how the body reacts to and controls exposure to the viruses, bacteria and breathed in particles (air pollutants or allergens eg pollens). In previous work in our laboratory we have identified a key molecule (called A20) within the airway lining cells (epithelial cells) which is important for controlling or dampening inflammation. In some previous pilot work on airway samples from children (ORECNI Ref: 14/NI/0056; 07/NIR02/115 and 07/NIR02/141) we have found that children with allergic asthma have a deficiency of A20 within their airway epithelial cells that could allow uncontrolled and persistent inflammation to occur when children experience an asthma attack. Also, in our previous work we have developed a model of the airway lining cells (from samples obtained from children) that is very suitable for research studies. In this research project we wish to obtain fresh nasal brush samples from children, use the cells obtained to grow and differentiate these airway cells. This models mimics the lining of the airway. We will use our model to then study different medicines or drugs to determine whether they can reverse the A20 deficiency or fix any A20 pathway molecule anomaly. The drugs we will study are already in use for other indications and diseases - hence this study is about 'repositioning' drugs. Children (with and without asthma and /or allergic rhinitis) recruited into this study would have a nasal brush sample taken for the research.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0282
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion