Project description
Mechanistic insight into gut homeostasis
Gut homeostasis is maintained by intestinal epithelial cells which provide a physical barrier to the external environment and pathogenic bacteria, as well as regulate nutrient uptake and immune responses. Given that the intestinal epithelium is a dynamic tissue with fast turnover rate, the scope of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) ReGutBM project is to delineate the role of the basement membrane. The basement membrane forms a layer between epithelial cells and the underlying connective tissue. The working hypothesis is that composition and stiffness variations across the basement membrane affect the behaviour and renewal capacity of epithelial cells. Results will provide important insight the mechanisms that govern gut homeostasis paving the way towards novel interventions for intestinal diseases.
Objective
The intestinal epithelium forms a tight barrier against pathogens and toxins while simultaneously absorbing ions and nutrients. It is the fastest self-renewing tissue in the body, as over 3-5 days, a complete turnover of epithelial cells is achieved. Homeostasis is maintained by tight coordination between epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and extrusion. Epithelial cells adhere and migrate on the basement membrane, a unique, sheet-like extracellular matrix that separates epithelial cells from the underlying mesenchyme. Composed primarily of laminins and type-IV collagen, the basement membrane provides structural support, promotes cell adhesion and polarity, and serves as a mechanical and biochemical signaling hub. Although great advances have been made in identifying morphogenetic regulators of epithelial-cell renewal, spatial regulators that limit proliferating cells to the crypt or guide cell migration towards the villus tip are still missing. Interestingly, basement membrane protein composition varies across the crypt-villus axis, which could also affect its stiffness. However, whether these variations play a role in regulating epithelial cell renewal has not been addressed.
The overarching hypothesis of ReGutBM is that basement membrane protein composition and / or stiffness define specific zones that promote cell proliferation or cell death, and provide cues for directional migration of epithelial cells in gut homeostasis.
Using ex-vivo tissue cultures and in-vivo mouse models, I will characterize the basement membrane protein composition and stiffness. Using 2D intestinal organoid cultures, I will decouple the regulatory impact of tissue stiffness and protein identity on epithelial cell renewal, and identify the molecular mechanism which facilitates BM-epithelia crosstalk during gut homeostasis.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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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
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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75231 Paris
France
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