Project description
Defining causality between infection and non-communicable diseases links
There are causal links between infections and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that have yet to be proven. Understanding and defining causality in these associations is essential for providing optimal prevention and treatment for NCDs. The EU-funded ENT1DEP project aims to define the causal links between the strongly associated enterovirus (EV) infections and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines in vitro and in vivo models, unique human samples, and artificial intelligence, the project will explore why only insulin-producing β-cells are affected, why some individuals develop T1D after EV infection, and how to reduce this risk. The goal is to identify at-risk individuals for early intervention and share findings to improve the prevention and treatment of NCDs.
Objective
ENT1DEP aims to define causal links between infections and NCDs by focusing on enterovirus (EV) infections and type 1 diabetes (T1D), a robust association without proof of causality. Causality is addressed by a multidisciplinary, multi-layer approach, using in-vitro and in-vivo models, unique human samples, and artificial intelligence to identify mechanisms and related biomarkers, asking 3 key questions:
1. Why are only insulin-producing β-cells destroyed by EVs? Weak β-cell antiviral responses and high expression of EV entry receptors may favour EV persistence. This hypothesis is addressed using human cell models (stem-cell-derived β/α-cells, organoids, their genetic modifications, anti-EV T-cells) and pancreas tissues from T1D patients.
2. Why do only some individuals develop T1D after EV infection? Weak EV immunity may predispose to virus spreading to pancreas, persistence and local inflammation, triggering autoimmunity. This hypothesis is addressed by analysing adaptive and innate immune responses to EVs, correlating these with gene polymorphisms and EV persistence in children followed from birth and who developed T1D.
3. How can EV-associated T1D risk be attenuated? By using vaccines inducing protective immunity and antiviral drugs eradicating persistent infection. This hypothesis is addressed by examining samples from pioneering EV vaccine and T1D antiviral trials to develop biomarkers of vaccine- vs infection-induced immunity as surrogates of vaccine efficacy; by studying whether vaccine-induced antibodies prevent EV-induced diabetes in mice; by correlating antiviral treatment with EV clearance and immunity to identify biomarkers for EV eradication and patient selection.
The final goal is to identify individuals at risk for EV-induced T1D as targets for early interventions. These outcomes may also facilitate progress in other NCDs extending impact. This new knowledge is disseminated among stakeholders to facilitate optimal NCD prevention and treatment.
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 clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
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.2.1 - Health
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.2.1.3 - Non-Communicable and Rare Diseases
See all projects funded under this programme -
HORIZON.2.1.4 - Infectious Diseases, including poverty-related and neglected diseases
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-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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-HLTH-2023-DISEASE-03
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.
33100 TAMPERE
Finland
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.