Tissue Models for Liver Disease (TIMOLD)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tissue Models for Liver Disease (TIMOLD)
IRAS ID
293486
Contact name
Marco Rinaldo Oggioni
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The human immune response to bacterial and viral local and systemic infection are fairly well understood, but we lack details on the earliest phases. Better knowledge of these events would be important for the prevention and treatment of severe bacterial or viral disease. From models of infection, we have data showing that bacteria replicate in a specific type of cells in the liver from where the bacteria then seed to the blood to cause blood stream infection. In order to gain more relevant data for humans, we have developed a spleen and liver perfusion model using pig organs. This model confirms our previous work and most importantly will now allow us to study these events in human organs.
In order to move novel treatment strategies into human trials, we propose to test early events during infection using human liver segments and the cells and tissues derived thereof. This research is expected to provide data on the relevance of the early events in bacterial and viral disease, in particular on the role of immune cells. The research includes work with human cells and tissue obtained from human liver segments. In these settings, we will test pharmacological prevention and treatment of bacterial or viral infection. The expected outcome of this work on human organs and tissue is expected to provide evidence that allows to move new treatment options into clinical trial.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0287
Date of REC Opinion
14 May 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion