An investigation into the barrier function and barrier forming proteins of the skin in polymorphic light eruption

ISRCTN ISRCTN44480072
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN44480072
Secondary identifying numbers 17590
Submission date
29/10/2014
Registration date
29/10/2014
Last edited
28/01/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most common allergy to the sun. It affects 18% of the population of northern Europe. A itchy, but none scarring, skin rash occurs around 4-6 hours after exposure to the sun. Very little is known about what causes PLE. It has been suggested that an allergen formed in or on the skin upon sun exposure is responsible for the rash, but this photoallergen has not yet been identified. Other researchers believe that PLE patients are less likely to suppress the effects of the sun on the skin compared to healthy people. One of the skin's most important roles is to form a barrier between the inside of the body and the environment outside. This barrier is made up of special proteins, which act to prevent water being lost from the skin as well as pathogens entering to the body. Recent work in our laboratory has shown that specific barrier forming proteins of the skin are altered in PLE. A damaged barrier may be more prone to movement of photoallergens through the skin leading to the cause of PLE symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate the function of the skin barrier in PLE patients before and after exposure to ultraviolet light, and to test the effect of barrier reinforcing molecules on the skin barrier.

Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers or PLE patients who are white caucasians and between 30-60 years old

What does the study involve?
Participants have their sunburn threshold tested on their upper buttock skin. Small skin biopsies are taken from areas exposed to UV light and from unexposed skin for laboratory analysis of skin barrier function. Skin water loss is measured from UV-exposed and unexposed skin.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants do not benefit directly from taking part in this study, but the information gathered will lead to a further understanding of the cause of PLE.

Where is the study run from?
This study is being performed in the Photobiology Unit, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and the dermatology research laboratories at the University of Manchester (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2014 to August 2015

Who is funding the study?
British Skin Foundation (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Mark Farrar
mark.farrar@manchester.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Mark Farrar
Scientific

Photobiology Unit, Hope Hospital , Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

Email mark.farrar@manchester.ac.uk

Study information

Study designNon-randomised; Interventional and Observational; Design type: Not specified, Clinical Laboratory Study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Details of who to contact can be found at: www.citizenscientist.org.uk/research-opportunities/healthy-volunteers/skin-barrier-and-ultraviolet-light-exposure/
Scientific titleA non-randomised trial investigating the barrier function and barrier forming proteins of the skin in polymorphic light eruption
Study objectives1. The barrier function of the skin is compromised in polymorphic light eruption
2. Abnormal tight junction protein expression is related to skin barrier defects in polymorphic light eruption
3. The barrier can be improved using food-derived molecules
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee North West -– Greater Manchester West; 13/01/2014, ref. 13/NW/0797
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTopic: Dermatology; Subtopic: Skin (all Subtopics); Disease: Dermatology
InterventionMeasurements of water loss of the skin will be taken from sun protected buttock skin. To assess sunburn threshold, standard minimal erythemal dose (MED) testing will be performed where another area of photoprotected buttock skin will be exposed to twelve controlled doses of UV with each exposure site being approximately 1cm in diameter. Twenty-four hours later, water loss measurements will be repeated and erythema (redness) assessed.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureBarrier forming protein function. Timepoint(s): 24h
Secondary outcome measuresNot provided at time of registration
Overall study start date24/02/2014
Completion date31/08/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 50; UK Sample Size: 50; Description: To account for drop out rate study team anticipate recruitment between 40-60 participants.
Key inclusion criteria1. Healthy volunteers or PLE patients that have reached diagnostic criteria for PLE (through patient questionnaire and clinical diagnosis)
2. White Caucasians of photoreactive skin type I-III
3. Female (not pregnant) or male 30-60 years
4. Volunteers giving written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. People who smoke
2. People with other conditions exacerbated by light
3. People taking photoactive medication
4. People unable to complete the visit requirements of the protocol
5. Inability to comply with all requirements of the protocol
6. History of sunbathing or artificial UV exposure in the previous 3 months
7. History of skin cancer
Date of first enrolment24/02/2014
Date of final enrolment31/08/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Hope Hospital
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Manchester (UK)
University/education

Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/027m9bs27

Funders

Funder type

Charity

British Skin Foundation; Grant Codes: S1004
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
BSF
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination plan2016 non-peer-reviewed thesis in https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.684803 (added 25/01/2021)
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

25/01/2021: Publication reference added to publication and dissemination plan.
12/08/2020: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.
14/09/2017: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.