Project description
Stem and niche cell remodelling in response to pathological conditions
Cellular quiescence in adult stem cells is thought to preserve their properties as they are in a state that is less responsive to external cues. However, the examination of quiescent skeletal muscle stem and niche cells in influenza virus infection and cancer cachexia models revealed remodelling in their cellular and molecular properties. The ERC-funded STENIPATH project will study the response of stem and niche cells in one tissue to pathologies present at a distal site. These cells will be characterised using multiple approaches to assess the extent to which their functional properties are altered.
Objective
Coherent tissue growth and repair require an interplay between stem cells and their local and systemic environment. The dynamics of this process remains poorly defined particularly at the intersection with disease. Cellular quiescence is adopted by many adult stem cells, conferring them several features including a smaller cell volume and reduced metabolic demand, suggesting that quiescence preserves stem cell properties making them less responsive to external cues. We examined the status of skeletal muscle stem (MuSC) and niche cells during an influenza virus infection (lung) and cancer cachexia (tumour) in mice. Unexpectedly, quiescent MuSCs remodelled their cellular, metabolic, and transcriptome properties extensively, and tissue regeneration was impaired, prompting us to define a novel cell state, GPath. Whether GPath represents a coordinated response of stem cells to pathology, or uncontrolled deregulation, is unclear.
MuSCs exhibit remarkable diversity in gene regulation and function in distinct anatomical locations (head/limb). We discovered that cranial MuSCs display higher resistance to the pathologies compared to those in limb. These observations have led us into a novel area of research, to the best of my knowledge largely unexplored in model organisms and humans: how stem and niche cells in one organ respond to pathologies present at a distal site. We will examine the response of muscle and blood stem and niche cells to distal pathologies by defining their cellular, metabolic, molecular, epigenetic, and functional properties, and their modes of cell division. We will employ diverse multiomics approaches and novel medium/high-throughput intravital and ex vivo imaging pipelines. This work should provide new knowledge and tools to address an important, but under-investigated area of research where stem cell biology and pathologies converge. The knowledge gained will be widely applicable to other stem cell systems and inform on human pathologies.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses influenza
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-ADG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75724 Paris
France
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.