Understanding osteogenesis in health, development and disease. V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immunological and stromal interactions influencing inflammation and osteogenesis in the spine and their impact on development reparative surgery and autoimmune disease.
IRAS ID
197636
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The overarching purpose of this study is to understand how the immune system influences musculoskeletal tissue (ligaments, tendons and bone) formation in the context of the spine. In many cases poor healing is attributed to the lack of an adequate or appropriate inflammatory response. However, extensive, prolonged or un-regulated inflammation is highly detrimental and can cause the destruction of healthy tissue. In physiological healing, an initial inflammatory response is followed by resolution of the inflammation and new tissue growth. For this to happen elements of the innate immune system, must trigger inflammation whilst simultaneously recruiting and priming other cell types capable of forming new tissue.
In some circumstances, such as for the correction of spinal defects, it is desirable to stimulate new bone formation. This can be problematic particularly in older patients and those with weak healing responses. This is exacerbated by the fact that the most potent bone forming drugs (bone morphogenic proteins) can be associated with serious complications in spine. Conversely, in some autoimmune diseases, particularly the spondyloarthropathies, uncontrolled inflammation can result in inappropriate and excessive bone formation, leading to progressive disability; this is not addressed by currently available therapeutics.
We plan conduct a five year study of immune and stromal cell populations in the spine. Patients who have been admitted for spine surgery at Leeds General Infirmary will be invited to participate. Participants will be asked to donate a small volume of blood and bone marrow as well as connective tissue and bone samples which would otherwise be discarded as part of the procedure. Investigative work will be carried out by or under the supervision of researchers at the Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0797
Date of REC Opinion
11 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion