Control of Leukocyte Function

The protocol is to draw peripheral blood from healthy volunteers for in vitro studies. The aims of these in vitro studies are to determine the cellular and intracellular mechanisms by which hypertonic saline and ATP release regulate neutrophil and lymphocyte functions.

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Key information

Conditions

Inflammation, Brain Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Encephalitis Infections Nervous System Diseases Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

BIDMC

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

About this study

The proper regulation of leukocyte function is critical for immune defense and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Many aspects of immune cell regulation are unknown. A better understanding could lead to novel therapeutic approaches to improve immune function in patients suffering from various diseases.

The investigators have found that hypertonic conditions regulate leukocyte functions through feedback mechanisms involving ATP release and purinergic receptors. The purpose of the proposed protocol is to obtain access to peripheral blood from healthy volunteers to study these complex regulatory mechanisms in more detail.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

any healthy volunteer

Exclusion criteria

pregnancy
needing/using drugs
inflammatory or infectious complications

Treatment and study plan

No intervention (drugs) will be given. Purpose: collecting blood for in vitro studies

Other

No drugs or interventions are given. Single purpose is to draw blood from healthy subjects to study immune cell biology in vitro. No records about subjects to be kept.

Primary outcomes

Immune cells will be studied in vitro to learn about basic mechanisms of immune cell signaling.

Time frame: Blood is collected as needed; time frame: indefinitely. Blood used between 1-7 days after blood draws.

The purpose of this study is to obtain blood from healthy subjects (volunteers) for in vitro studies to explore how immune cells function. Cells will be isolated and subjected to various tests including stimuli that simulate immune cell activation in health and disease. Subjects will not be subjected to any treatments. Only some of the cells (leukocytes) in the blood will be studied. For example, activation events such as cytokine production, the ability of leukocytes (=immune cells) to detect and respond to bacterial products will be assessed. No identifiable information about study subjects will be kept.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2007
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Jan 23, 2017
Registry last updated: Apr 27, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed