RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Characterisation of Endothelial Cells in Different Inflammatory Pathologies

This study aims to understand how special cells lining our blood vessels, called endothelial cells, change when people are very ill with severe inflammation, like sepsis or after major surgery. Our bodies have an immune system that fights off infections, but sometimes this reaction can become too strong and cause serious problems like low blood pressure and organ damage. Researchers believe these changes in blood vessel cells are a key part of this process. By carefully collecting tiny samples of these cells and studying their genetic instructions, we hope to uncover new information about how inflammation works. This could help us better understand why some patients react differently to treatments and eventually lead to new ways to help people recover from severe inflammatory conditions.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

105

Start

16 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

12 Nov 2026

Sepsis Vasoplegia

What is this study about?

Imagine your blood vessels are like pipes carrying blood all around your body. The inside of these pipes is lined with very special cells called endothelial cells. When you get very sick, for example with an infection like sepsis or after a big operation, your body's alarm system – called the immune system – kicks in. This causes inflammation, which is usually good for fighting off what's making you unwell. However, sometimes this inflammation can go into overdrive and start harming the body itself, leading to serious problems like very low blood pressure or kidney issues.

Researchers in this study think that the cells lining your blood vessels might play a big role in why this harmful inflammation happens. They believe that when these cells are exposed to severe inflammation, their internal instructions (like a microscopic instruction manual) change. These changes can then lead to many of the severe symptoms we see in very unwell patients. By understanding exactly how these cells change, scientists hope to find new ways to treat these serious conditions.

To do this, the study will collect tiny samples of these blood vessel cells from patients who are very ill (either with sepsis or after major surgery) and compare them to samples from healthy volunteers. This will help them see which instructions in the cells are different during illness. The information gained could help us identify new ways to tackle inflammation and understand why some people respond better to existing treatments than others, potentially leading to better care in the future.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand severe inflammation in conditions like sepsis.
It focuses on tiny cells lining blood vessels to see how they change genetically.
Participation involves collecting small cell samples from a vein in your arm.
This research hopes to find new ways to treat serious illnesses in the future.
You can choose to leave the study at any time without affecting your care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for three main groups of people: healthy volunteers, patients having major abdominal surgery, and critically ill patients admitted to intensive care with sepsis. All participants must be aged 18 or over and able to understand and agree to take part.

For healthy volunteers, you must not have any long-term inflammatory conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, and you shouldn't be taking medications that affect your immune system, like steroids. You also can't have had a major injury or surgery recently.

For patients having surgery or critically ill patients, you'll generally be excluded if you have certain existing inflammatory diseases, are taking immune-suppressing drugs, have had recent chemotherapy, or if it's expected to be very difficult to take a blood sample safely. The team will carefully check if this study is right for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you understand what the study involves and are you willing to take part?
If you're a healthy volunteer, do you have any long-term inflammatory conditions, like arthritis or diabetes?
Are you currently taking any medications that affect your immune system?
Have you had any major surgery or serious injury in the last two months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, the main part involves collecting tiny samples of the cells that line your blood vessels. This is done using a safe and gentle technique where a very thin wire is carefully guided into a vein in your arm, similar to how a blood test is taken. This procedure helps collect the specific cells needed for the study.

For patients who are ill, samples might be collected over a period while you are in the hospital. If you are a healthy volunteer, you would likely have one sample taken. The procedure itself is quick, but you would spend some time at the hospital for observation. There are no specific medications to take as part of this study, and you won't need extra follow-up appointments directly related to the study once your samples are collected. The total time you'd spend actively participating would depend on your group (healthy volunteer or patient) but would be clearly explained by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

The main benefit of taking part is helping researchers learn more about serious inflammatory conditions, which could lead to better treatments for future patients. While there isn't a direct personal benefit for you, your contribution is valuable. The main risk involved is discomfort from the cell collection procedure, similar to having a blood test, which can include a small bruise. There's a very small risk of infection or other complications, which the medical team will discuss in detail. Remember, you can choose to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Guildford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What are 'endothelial cells'?

They are tiny cells that form the inner lining of all your blood vessels, like the inside surface of pipes that carry blood around your body.

What is 'sepsis'?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition where your body's response to an infection damages its own tissues and organs. It's a medical emergency.

How will you collect samples from me?

A tiny sample of cells will be collected from a vein in your arm using a thin wire, a bit like when you have a blood test. It's a safe and gentle procedure.

Will I get any results from the study?

Individual results won't be given to participants, but the overall findings will help medical science. You can ask the research team about the study's general outcomes later.

Will taking part affect my regular medical care?

No, taking part in this study will not affect the medical care you receive for your condition. Your participation is completely separate from your treatment.

How to find out more

Ben Creagh-Brown, BM, PhD

bencb@nhs.net +44 (0)1483 688 660 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.