Objective
Leishmania parasites, a threat to 350 million people worldwide, are transmitted by sand flies and reside predominantly intracellularly in macrophages. Leishmania species can remain local (cutaneous leishmaniasis) or spread throughout the tissue and body (mucocutaneous/visceral leishmaniasis). This is the difference between a mild illness or a deadly disease, and the fundamental mechanisms behind these different clinical manifestations are largely unknown.
As Leishmania parasites seem immobile following their delivery into the skin and are rapidly phagocytosed, it has been hypothesised that dissemination is driven by host cell migration in a species-dependent manner. Specifically, previous studies showed that Leishmania species causing visceral infections typically enhance macrophage motility, while species linked to cutaneous lesions slow down infected macrophages. However, few studies have directly compared migration of parasitised macrophages across multiple Leishmania species and it remains unclear which host migration pathways Leishmania manipulates.
We want to test the hypothesis that different Leishmania species alter integrin-dependent and –independent macrophage migration modes in distinct ways, to control dissemination through the dermis and across endothelial barriers. Using human skin equivalents, cell deformability assays, and two- and three-dimensional migration assays, we will measure changes in migration dynamics of Leishmania-infected macrophages. Additionally, we will perform drug inhibitor and CRISPR screens, targeting macrophage genes, to identify host pathways essential for migration of parasitised macrophages. To dissect species-related differences, this study will use species causing visceral, mucocutaneous, and cutaneous leishmaniasis.
The results will give insights into Leishmania dissemination mechanisms, thereby facilitating future designs of new therapeutics aimed at controlling inadequate migration of infected macrophages.
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.
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
97070 Wuerzburg
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.