Objective Immune response in the intestine are tightly regulated to ensure host protective immunity in the absence of immune pathology. A permanent disturbance of this delicate balance can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The aetiology of IBD is unknown, but it is thought to involve a complex interplay among genetic, environmental, microbial and immune factors. Dysregulated effector CD4 T cell responses can be causative in IBD irrespective of the initiating events that promote them. There is compelling evidence that pathogenic CD4 T cells accumulate in the inflamed intestine and contribute to the chronicity of disease. Additionally at the onset of IBD, mucosal effector CD4 T cells acquire a pathogenic polyfunctional Th17/Th1 phenotype. However the signals and molecular events that induce and regulate the pathogenic switch in human T cells, remain unknown. Whether this phenotype can be modified in favour of a homeostatic Type 17 or regulatory T cell response also remains to be determined. Revealing the signals and mechanisms by which the differentiation programs of pathogenic CD4 T cells are induced, maintained and modulated, might open new avenues by which pathogenic and chronic CD4 T cell responses can be specifically targeted in IBD. Fields of science medical and health sciencesclinical medicinegastroenterologyinflammatory bowel diseasemedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD EU contribution € 231 283,20 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
