Studying immune responses to viruses in healthy blood donors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding humoral and cellular immune responses to DNA viruses in healthy blood donors
IRAS ID
315068
Contact name
Charlotte Houldcroft
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Many individuals are infected by common viruses such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and adenovirus, typically without symptoms. Our immune systems react to infection with antibodies (the humoral immune response) and pathogen-specific T cells (part of the cellular immune response). This study will measure the frequency and strength of responses to DNA viruses in healthy blood donors, for example by measuring antibody concentrations and the cytokines (inflammatory markers) produced by T cells in response to viruses. Periodically, new viral variants arise which may escape from pre-existing immunity to infection, and testing antiviral responses in healthy blood donors in an important way to measure how much immune escape has taken place in the population.
Because these viruses are human-specific, no animal models are suitable; and large numbrs of cells may be needed for testing multiple virus responses. By using NHSBT leukocyte cones, this study can anonymously utilise the large cell numbers available in cones to study these antiviral responses.REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
22/WA/0162
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion