Project description
The underlying biology in muscle wasting
Many diseases such as cancer as well as ageing may lead to loss of muscle mass and function, known as muscle wasting. Despite its importance in overall health, there are no effective therapies for muscle wasting, as the underlying biology is poorly understood. While research has focused on intracellular pathways, less is known about how muscle fibers interact with endothelial cells (ECs), which supply blood and nutrients. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SMECC project will investigate muscle EC communication using molecular biology, omics, and advanced imaging tools in innovative mouse models. By clarifying how ECs influence muscle growth and function, researchers hope to identify novel therapeutic strategies to combat muscle wasting.
Objective
The maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and function is critically important in various conditions, including aging, cancer, muscular dystrophies, and more. It presents a considerable societal concern, impacting not only individual health but also imposing substantial healthcare expenditures. Despite its clinical relevance, there are currently no fully effective treatments to prevent or reverse muscle wasting due to an incomplete understanding of the involved mechanisms. While much attention has been given to intracellular signalling regulating muscle size, such as the Akt-mTORC1 pathway, the role of muscle perfusion and paracrine interactions between muscle fibers and endothelial cells (ECs) remains poorly understood. Recent studies point to the strong interconnection between muscle fibers and ECs, highlighting their reciprocal influence on each other's function. This project aims to illuminate these interactions, exploring how changes in muscle mass influence protein homeostasis in ECs and how alterations in ECs' proliferation and permeability impact muscle physiology. To address these questions, we will utilize cutting-edge technologies including molecular biology, animal phenotyping, histology, omics, and advanced bioimaging techniques such as tissue clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy, while employing innovative models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying in vivo changes in a cell-type specific manner. We will use novel tissue-specific mouse lines, such as MetRS mice, to monitor protein homeostasis within defined time windows, allowing for the study of muscle-EC crosstalk. The anticipated outcomes of this project include a deeper understanding of how ECs and muscle fibers communicate during changes in muscle size and function. By exploring these interactions, we aim to uncover key molecular mechanisms that govern muscle-EC interplay, enhancing our knowledge of ECs' role in muscle biology and guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology
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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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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
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-2024-PF-01
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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.
35122 Padova
Italy
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.