Project description
The role of lipid-associated macrophages in fibrosis
Macrophages are essential components of the innate immune system, playing key roles in maintaining homeostasis. Recent advances in single-cell technologies have demonstrated the great diversity and tissue-specificity of macrophage populations, especially during inflammatory responses. Among these, lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) have emerged as a distinct and disease-associated subset found in various tissues. Although LAMs are implicated in several human diseases, their biological function remains poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LAMs4LIFE project aims to elucidate the function and biology of LAMs with an emphasis on chronic fibrosis in the liver and lung. A better understanding may pave the way towards innovative treatment approaches that target fibrosis and associated inflammatory conditions.
Objective
Macrophages are innate immune cells present in almost every organ of the body. While previously considered to be a homogenous population, thanks to recent advances in single cell technologies, it is clear that each tissue harbours multiple distinct populations of macrophages especially in the context of tissue injury and inflammation. One subset of macrophages that has gained attention recently are the lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs). Originally described in obese adipose tissue, macrophages with very similar phenotypes have since been described across a range of diseased tissues in both the mouse and human. The widespread presence of LAMs across many important human diseases, makes them an attractive target for future therapeutic strategies with the potential to improve patient health. However, despite this potential, our understanding of the biology and functionality of LAMs remains in its infancy. Therefore, I hypothesize that gaining a more in-depth understanding of LAMs will enable the design of novel therapeutic approaches which could benefit numerous patients. Thus, this project aims to further our understanding of LAM biology and functionality. We will focus this project on the context of chronic fibrosis of the liver and lung, as fibrosis is a common feature of many diseases and LAMs have been identified in this setting both in the mouse and human.
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
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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-2024-PF-01
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9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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