Objective
While the healthy brain is largely devoid of lymphoid cells, the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is normally populated by lymphocytes. CSF hosts an array of threatening pathologies, including leptomeningeal metastasis with unusually poor prognosis. Despite the presence of immune cells, including CD8 T lymphocytes, this metastasis site does not respond to immunotherapy. My preliminary data demonstrate that the molecular profile and phenotypic behavior of these CSF CD8 T cells is inconsistent with conventional immune exhaustion. I hypothesize that CSF is an inherently immunosuppressive environment, protecting the brain from inflammatory insults directly by its composition. In CSFcheck, we will identify the individual components of the CSF that convey its immunosuppressive essence and manipulate the core CD8 T cell gene networks to disrupt the consequences of this phenomenon (Aim 1). We will investigate the fate, lifespan, and function of these cells after the metastasis encounter (Aim 2). Combining my experience with cutting-edge mouse immune modeling, systems-level computation, and functional assessment of human tissues, we will chart the immunosuppressive nature of the CSF and uncover the molecular pressure that CD8 T cells undergo upon entry to the CSF. This work will challenge and refine our understanding of the central nervous system immune privilege and communication with the periphery, exposing novel immunoregulatory mechanisms in metastasis that go beyond T-cell exhaustion.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2025-STG
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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