Project description
Role of male hypogonadism in obesity development
Obesity significantly increases the risk of morbid chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Recent studies suggest that obesity is associated with hypogonadism, characterised by low levels of endogenous testosterone that substantially elevates metabolic risk. With funding from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the GLIA-ReprObesity project proposes a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis as a central mechanism linking metabolic dysregulation and reproductive dysfunction. The project will use astrocyte- and microglia-specific mouse models of inflammatory signalling to find out the causative relationships between gliosis and hypogonadism. These studies could identify cellular targets for new therapies to decrease the metabolic harm from hypogonadism and to improve reproductive function.
Objective
Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and a serious public health threat since it greatly increases the risk of highly morbid chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers. A growing body of literature has suggested that obesity is associated with hypogonadism, (defined in males as low levels of endogenous testosterone) a reproductive disorder that substantially elevates metabolic risk. The mechanisms linking reproductive function to metabolism are not fully understood, but emerging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis. Recent data support a model in which microglia (brain macrophages) and astrocytes mediate the effects of a Western-type diet to induce obesity, and that hypogonadism synergizes with an obesogenic diet to profoundly activate hypothalamic gliosis. In this context, we propose a multidisciplinary approach to unveil the potential role of hypothalamic gliosis as a central node linking metabolic dysregulation and reproductive dysfunction. The studies described herein will use astrocyte- and microglia-specific mouse models of increased or reduced inflammatory signaling to determine whether gliosis is proximal to hypogonadism, hypogonadism causes gliosis, or they establish a vicious cycle together. These studies will potentially provide cellular targets for new therapies to offset the long-term metabolic harm from hypogonadism and to improve reproductive function in obese patients. Beyond its translational value, the project will provide a solid foundation for the scientific career of the fellow and help her achieve the long-term goal of becoming an independent scientist.
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 endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition obesity
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-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global 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-2022-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.
14005 CORDOBA
Spain
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.