Social Experiences and Demographic Factors in the Regulation of Immune Cells

Description

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are a health burden for approximately seven percent of the population of Western nations. Preliminary data suggest variations in ethnic identity and/or geography influence discrimination experiences and inflammatory response trends. This study investigates how geography, ethnicity, and laboratory manipulation of discrimination experiences affect immune cell function and genomic regulation. Flow cytometry and immune cell stimulation will test monocytes collected from peripheral blood for functional effects. Next-generation transcriptomics and epigenomics will assess genomic and epigenetic mechanisms. The hypothesis is that geography, self-identified race, and ethnicity, interacting with laboratory discrimination conditions during the virtual ballgame Cyberball™, significantly affect immune cell function through genomic and epigenetic mechanisms, with perceived discrimination as a moderating factor on the immune outcomes. The transdisciplinary nature of the proposed study aims to provide valuable insights into differential susceptibility to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases across diverse populations. Uncovering these insights will better inform population-relevant interventions for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Conditions

Perceived Discrimination, RNA, Inflammatory Response

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are a health burden for approximately seven percent of the population of Western nations. Preliminary data suggest variations in ethnic identity and/or geography influence discrimination experiences and inflammatory response trends. This study investigates how geography, ethnicity, and laboratory manipulation of discrimination experiences affect immune cell function and genomic regulation. Flow cytometry and immune cell stimulation will test monocytes collected from peripheral blood for functional effects. Next-generation transcriptomics and epigenomics will assess genomic and epigenetic mechanisms. The hypothesis is that geography, self-identified race, and ethnicity, interacting with laboratory discrimination conditions during the virtual ballgame Cyberball™, significantly affect immune cell function through genomic and epigenetic mechanisms, with perceived discrimination as a moderating factor on the immune outcomes. The transdisciplinary nature of the proposed study aims to provide valuable insights into differential susceptibility to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases across diverse populations. Uncovering these insights will better inform population-relevant interventions for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Perceived Discrimination, Geography, and Demographic Effects on Immune Cell Function and Regulation

Social Experiences and Demographic Factors in the Regulation of Immune Cells

Condition
Perceived Discrimination
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Baltimore

Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21251

Fort Worth

Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, United States, 76129

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Non-Hispanic Black, Non-Hispanic White, or Hispanic
  • * At least 18 years of age
  • * Lives within 25 miles of, works, or attends Morgan State University, The University of Baltimore or Texas Christian University
  • * Anyone not identifying as either non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, or Hispanic,
  • * Under 18 years old
  • * Does not live within 25 miles of, works, or attends Morgan State University, the University of Baltimore or Texas Christian University

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Morgan State University,

Study Record Dates

2029-06-30