The role of antibodies targeting eosinophils in respiratory diseases
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of autoantibodies targeting eosinophils and neutrophils in the pathology of asthma, Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and related respiratory diseases
IRAS ID
349172
Contact name
Louisa James
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 29 days
Research summary
Asthma is a lung disorder characterized by narrowing and inflammation of the airways, affecting 5.4 million people in the UK. There is no single diagnostic test for asthma. New diagnostic tools are required to identify potential severe asthma patients, who are at risk of developing a serious disease causing damaged/inflamed blood vessels (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis /EGPA). Recent studies show immune proteins (autoantibodies) that mistakenly target and react with a person's own tissues in asthma patients in the absence of external factors such as infection. Specific proteins have been detected in the blood (myeloperoxidase/MPO specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody) and sputum (anti eosinophil peroxidase/anti-EPX antibody) in patients with asthma.
What are the aims: We want to learn more about immune cells (B cells, neutrophils and eosinophils) and antibodies to specific proteins (EPX/MPO), and to further research the presence of immune proteins that damage airways in asthma patients, underpinning persistent airways inflammation in severe asthma patients who do not respond well to standard therapies.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1640
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion