In sarcoidosis, over activity of parts of the immune system drives the accumulation of granulomas (collections of immune cells) in affected parts of the body. To facilitate development of effective and safe treatment options in the future it will be vital to understand how and why the immune system becomes over active. The aim of this research is to work towards this goal by studying cells of the immune system and the molecular pathways inside these cells that control how they behave. This will be achieved by analysing patterns of proteins and RNA (the code used to tell cells which proteins to produce) in immune cells present in blood samples and tissue biopsies from people with sarcoidosis.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
9
This is a non-interventional study
Castle Hill Hospital
Cottingham, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Transcriptomics (RNA) -tissue
RNA expression and distribution (on different cell types) will be scored quantitatively or semi-quantitatively. Statistical analysis will be descriptive with heat maps for RNA expression (clustered using complete-linkage clustering) and charts (median and interquartile ranges) for comparisons.
Time frame: 3 years
Protein - tissue
Expression and distribution (on different cell types) of proteins which will be scored quantitatively or semi-quantitatively. Results will be descriptive. Comparisons will be made using appropriate statistical techniques.
Time frame: 3 years
Transcriptomics (RNA) - blood
RNA expression in unstimulated and stimulated blood samples using Nanostring transcriptomics. Statistical analysis will be descriptive with heat maps for RNA and protein expression (clustered using complete-linkage clustering) and charts (median and interquartile ranges) for comparisons.
Time frame: 3 years
Cytokines - blood
Inflammatory mediator concentrations in unstimulated and stimulated blood samples.
Time frame: 3 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.