Objective
Two unconventional concepts of skin contraction are presented that could change the current paradigm of wound healing. The overall objective is to clarify the underlying processes and to develop new therapies to prevent excessive scarring, ameliorate patients lives and reduce medical health care expenses. Specific emphasis lies on the role of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and keratinocytes. Previous internationally acknowledged work of the PI resulted in these challenging concepts. The project will take place at the Medical School Hannover with its vast scientific infrastructure perfectly suited for this type of pioneer research. Unconventional is the concept that MMP lead to contrary cell responses. By degrading matrix molecules, MMP induce cell disassembly and migration. Only MMP-3 and -7 cleave cadherins and induce adhesion. MMP-3 deficient mice showed normal wound epithelialisation without contraction. Presumably by controlled proteolysis of intercellular molecules, cell adhesivity increases. Firm adhesion complexes provide stable anchorage sites for force generation. Selective MMP-3 inhibition would reduce contraction without impairing epithelialisation. The concept of the epithelial role in contraction differs from the paradigm and marks a beyond the state-of-art approach in wound healing. Keratinocytes at the air-liquid interphase close wounds by reepithelialisation and surface minimization. Hence, reduction of surface tension would decrease epidermal contraction. Alveolar surface tension is reduced by surfactants in preterm infants. Assuming that epidermal wounds could profit of surfactants is a high risk high gain approach of tackling hypertrophic scarring, but if successful it would revolutionize burn wound therapy.
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.
ERC-2009-StG
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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.
Host institution
28359 Bremen
Germany
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.