Project description
Exploring the neurovascular niche to understand and treat peripheral nervous system disorders
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) develops alongside the vascular system, creating a neurovascular (NV) interface that protects neural tissue through a blood-nerve barrier (BNB), similar to the blood-brain barrier. However, our understanding of the BNB is limited. The ERC-funded MINerVA project aims to investigate the NV interface of peripheral nerves, focusing on the role of endothelial cells and perivascular cells in maintaining BNB homeostasis and supporting recovery following injury and neuropathic pain. The project will map the NV niche, explore the impact of mechanobiology on the BNB through assays and mouse models, and develop molecular tools to probe and target the BNB. This study will pave the way for improved treatments for PNS disorders characterised by NV dysfunction.
Objective
"The extensive network of peripheral nerves develops concurrently and in close contact with the vascular system. This spatial and functional relationship persists into adulthood, forming a neurovascular (NV) interface that shields the vulnerable neural tissue through a blood-nerve barrier (BNB), akin to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Despite its pivotal role in peripheral nervous system (PNS) health, our understanding of the BNB is limited, impacting the design of therapies for PNS disorders linked to vascular dysfunction. Our interdisciplinary proposal aims to define the molecular, cellular, and biomechanical features of the neurovascular interface of peripheral nerves. We hypothesize that vascular cells within this neurovascular interface are crucial for maintaining BNB homeostasis and for promoting the unique regenerative capacity of the PNS after injury. To accomplish our objectives, we have adopted a cross-disciplinary, innovative and synergistic approach. We will map the nerve vascular niche using advanced transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Taking an original angle, we will explore the impact of mechanobiology on BNB homeostasis and the vascular response to damage by designing screening assays and mouse models to discover mechanotransduction systems operating in the nerve endothelium. Using agnostic in vivo peptide phage display technology, we will map unique ""ZIP codes"" on the nerve vasculature, enabling selective targeting of the PNS. BNB homing peptides will serve as selective discovery tools to unravel the biology of the barrier and will be amenable for further refinement in preclinical setting. Finally, we will examine BNB responses to perturbations like traumatic injuries or neuropathies and develop tools to specifically target the BNB.
Our project will transform the current understanding of the NV interface of the PNS, laying the foundation for targeted therapies to address BNB dysfunction and enhance clinical care for peripheral nerve disorders.
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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 neurobiology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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)
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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
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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-SYG - HORIZON ERC Synergy 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-SyG
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20132 Milano
Italy
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