Vasculopathy and fibrosis in Systemic sclerosis v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the relationship between vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis in Systemic sclerosis v1.0
IRAS ID
168633
Contact name
John Pauling
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Blood vessel abnormalities, inflammation and scar tissue formation are the central features of systemic sclerosis [SSc]. Understanding why they occur is key to improving treatments for this condition. In SSc blood vessels look and act abnormally, causing reduced oxygen supply to tissues. These abnormalities can be assessed using nailfold capillaroscopy [NC], laser speckle contrast imaging [LSCI] and novel ultrasound techniques.
When healthy skin is deprived of oxygen, cells respond by producing proteins to encourage new blood vessel growth and protect the cells from injury. These normal cell responses appear to become impaired in SSc. Some of these proteins are elevated in SSc. There is recent evidence that the type of proteins found in SSc are harmful and prevents new blood vessels forming. One theory implicates poor blood and oxygen supply as a cause of subsequent scar tissue formation in the skin. Therefore, these proteins may drive skin disease as well as blood vessel abnormalities.
We have designed a series of experiments to investigate proteins that are regulated by low oxygen levels, in SSc and healthy individuals and compare these factors with blood vessel and skin changes (using NC, LSCI and novel ultrasound techniques). We will look at samples of blood and skin to see what changes take place as the illness progresses. We will then grow fibroblasts (cells that make scar tissue) from skin samples and see what happens to the proteins produced when we change their oxygen supply. We will undertake experiments on platelets (blood cells that help to create clots) to see if they are an important source of these proteins.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1165
Date of REC Opinion
16 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion