OPERO Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Oral Microbiome and Periodontal Evaluation in Rheumatology Out-patients
IRAS ID
165276
Contact name
Nidhi Sofat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St Georges University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the composition of the oral microbiome in patients with rheumatological conditions. This is a particular area of interest as other studies have shown a link between rheumatoid arthritis and periodonitis, an inflammatory condition characterised by periodontal pocket formation, anaerobic colonisation and alveolar bone loss. One of the causative organisms, porphyromonas gingivalis, causes citrullination of host peptides through the production of peptidyl arginine deaminase (PAD) in the laboratory, a process which is hypothesised to lead to autoimmunity and cause rheumatoid arthritis in the human body.
The interplay between periodontal bacteria, and arthritides is an increasing area of interest and we will collect samples from the periodontal pocket of rheumatology out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis. We will use 16s ribosomal sequencing and bioinformatic analysis to characterise the microbial make-up of the samples and compare the groups.
Secondary outcomes include periodontal health, rheumatological disease severity and estimating levels of the citrullinating enzyme PAD and levels of citrullination via anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. Samples will be collected for mRNA analysis to allow investigation of expression profiles in this patient cohort.
A better understanding of the mechanisms behind the development of rheumatological conditions will lead to more precise therapeutic targets and the oral mucosa represents a viable avenue for research and investigation.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0553
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion