Objective
Obesity is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis but the exact mechanistic link between these conditions is unknown. Parallel to atherogenesis, obesity induces the recruitment of pro-inflammatory macrophages from bone marrow to adipose tissue (AT).
We hypothesize that obesity-induced macrophages, through interactions with adipose tissue-derived free fatty acids, are important players in atherosclerosis development and thereby represent the key link between these conditions.
First, we will investigate the effects of obese AT on the phenotype and function of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and the consequences for atherogenesis. Since it is known that obesity leads to recruitment of CD11c-positive, dendritic cell-like ATMs, the effects of local AT-derived free fatty acids (FFAs) on ATM phenotype and their antigen-presenting capacity will be assessed in vitro and in vivo using mouse models. Additionally, we will isolate CD11c-positive and CD11c-negative (resident) ATMs from obese AT and compare them by genome-wide expression analysis and functional studies. Moreover, the effects of ATMs on adaptive immune responses and atherosclerosis will be assessed by transplantation of obese AT to atherosclerosis-prone low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (ldlr-/-) mice. Second, we will investigate the effects of FFAs on the differentiation of macrophages from bone marrow cells and the consequences for atherosclerosis development. Hereto, we will determine how FFAs affect differentiation of bone marrow cells into macrophages by performing functional characterization. The obtained results will be evaluated in vivo by adoptive transfer of bone marrow-derived macrophages, treated ex vivo with FFAs during their differentiation, to ldlr-/- mice. Atherosclerosis development and alterations in the immune response will be measured in detail. Finally, we will validate the results in human patient material identifying novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases arteriosclerosis
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine transplantation
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition obesity
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG)
Coordinator
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.