Objective
An effective, well-regulated immune response is crucial for defending against infections and disease. Normally, inflammation is transient and resolves as healing occurs; however, failure to resolve leads to chronic inflammation, causing persistent immune activation and disrupted tissue architecture and function. A critical but understudied player in this process is the lymphatic vasculature, which is not only a conduit for immune cells but also a local immune modulator. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), positioned at sites of tissue injury, infection and in lymph nodes, regulate immune dynamics by guiding immune cell trafficking, presenting antigens, and shaping local inflammatory niches. Building on our discovery of a molecularly distinct, Ptx3+ immune-interacting LEC subtype at lymphatic capillary terminals, and emerging evidence of durable inflammation-driven lymphatic remodeling, I hypothesize that LECs acquire an ‘inflammatory memory’ that affects secondary immune activation and persistence of inflammation. To define how LECs are shaped by, and in turn regulate, inflammation and whether they can be therapeutically reprogrammed to restore tissue homeostasis, we will: (1) determine the origins, clonal structure, long-term fate, and molecular properties of LECs expanded during inflammation using in vivo models, advanced imaging, and state-of-the-art molecular and genetic tools; (2) uncover LEC-dependent mechanisms controlling the formation, composition, and maintenance of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in inflamed tissues; and (3) utilize targeted gene-delivery platforms and spiny mouse as a unique scar-free regeneration model to identify and test strategies that modulate LEC-intrinsic pathways to control TLS persistence, and promote inflammation resolution and tissue repair. This work will uncover fundamental principles of lymphatic–immune crosstalk and open avenues for precise, tissue-specific immune regulation in inflammatory disease.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences inflammatory diseases
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2025-ADG
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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.
00014 Helsinki
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.