The role of immunometabolism in endometriosis

The newly established four-year Medical Sciences & Translational Research PhD with integrated studies in Engagement for Impact Programme will combine medical science and translational research projects with integrated and credited teaching in science communication, public engagement, patient involvement, data design and informatics, via established MSc courses and/or new Engagement for Impact courses. Our vision is to teach a generation of researchers equipped to address and solve real-world problems through excellent science and who have the engagement and impact skills we believe will give them an edge in their future careers.
https://www.ed.ac.uk/inflammation-research/postgraduate-training/phd-programme

This potential PhD project, selectable by successful applicants to this Programme, is supervised by Prof Andrew Horne (https://www.ed.ac.uk/centre-reproductive-health/professor-andrew-horne) at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, with co-supervisors Prof Philippa Saunders and Dr Lucy Whitaker.

Project Summary:
The overarching objective of this project is to investigate the role of immunometabolism in endometriosis a neuro-inflammatory condition that affects 10% of women of reproductive age. There is strong evidence that macrophages play an important role in the aetiology of the disorder but we do not know anything about their metabolic status nor how this is influenced by the unique microenvironment found in extra-uterine endometriosis lesions. The student will use human tissue samples and pre-clinical laboratory models to investigate metabolic changes in immune cells present in the pelvis and in endometriosis lesions. A secondary aim of the project will be to build on these studies by screening clinically available drugs developed to treat other inflammatory conditions in relevant animal models to evaluate their impact on the extent of endometriosis and pain perception. Any drug compounds identified could then be fast-tracked to clinical trials because they have already been approved for treatment in another disease providing new opportunities to benefit patients.

References:
Horne AW, Saunders PTK. Endometriosis. Cell 2019 179(7) 1677-1677e1.

Horne AW, Ahmad SF, Carter R, Simitsidellis I, Greaves E, Hogg C, Morton NM, Saunders PTK. Repurposing dichloroacetate for the treatment of women with endometriosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2019 116(51):25389-25391.

Forster R, Sarginson A, Velichkova A, Hogg C, Dorning A, Horne AW, Saunders PTK, Greaves E. Macrophage-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 is a key neurotrophic and nerve-sensitizing factor in pain associated with endometriosis. FASEBJ 2019 33:11210-11222.

Greaves E, Critchley HOC, Horne AW, Saunders PTK. (2017) Relevant human tissue resources and laboratory models for use in endometriosis research. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2017 96(6):644-658.

Engagement for Impact:

The EXPPECT team led by Profs Horne and Saunders works closely with patients and organisations including Endometriosis UK (https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/) who are committed to improving the lives of women with endometriosis. The team have an active programme of engagement with the public, patients and policy makers which aims both to raise awareness of the disorder and to inform and support patients and their family members by holding regular patient research days. The student will be able to participate in these ongoing initiatives and other public engagement activities including:
- the Edinburgh International Science Festival, an annual event with almost 300 meetings in venues around Edinburgh enabling researchers to discuss their work with the wider public.
- ‘Pint of Science’ Festival, an event which allows researchers to present their work to the general public in a less formal setting.
- ‘Endometriosis UK Research Conference’, an annual event where researchers to present their work to 100-120 women with endometriosis (and their partners), events are held around the UK, including Edinburgh.
The student will receive support from the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health public engagement officer and have the opportunity to join activities that are engaging with schools [https://www.ed.ac.uk/inflammation-research/information-public/public-engagement-news/public-engagement-news-2019].