Objective
Macrophages play a central role in atherogenesis. In addition to being transformed into foam cells, they secrete cytokines, growth factors and enzymes that affect function of other vascular cells thereby modulating the atherogenic process. However, little is known about the molecular events that regulate these processes in macrophages. Transcription factors that regulate cholesterol homeostasis and/or inflammatory responses represent potential therapeutic targets for patients with cardiovascular disease. The Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) is a nuclear receptor that plays an important role as a heterodimeric partner for the Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs) and the Liver X Receptors (LXRs). However, its ligand-activated role in vivo remains uncertain. We have recently obtained evidence that activated macrophages express RXRalpha, and that RXR ligands inhibit the transcription of genes that are upregulated during macrophage activation.
This suggests that RXR plays a role in the regulation of chroni c inflammatory processes such as atherosclerosis. Studies proposed in this grant are aimed at identifying the functional role of RXRalpha in macrophage gene regulation, inflammation and atherogenesis. We propose the following Specific Aims: 1. To test the hypothesis that in vivo RXRalpha is critical for PPAR and LXR-mediated pathways in the macrophage. Macrophage specific disruption of the RXR gene will be achieved using the Cre-loxP approach. 2. We propose that RXRalpha may alter the development of athero genesis. This hypothesis will be tested by transplanting RXRalpha null bone marrow into LDL receptor knockout mice.
These studies will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms by which RXR modulates gene expression in atherosclerosis, and will support the potential use of RXR ligands for therapeutic purposes. This grant will give me the opportunity of returning to Europe providing the potential for me to become a leading European researcher.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases cardiac arrhythmia
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases arteriosclerosis
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
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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.
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.
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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-12
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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.
IRG - Marie Curie actions-International re-integration grants
Coordinator
MADRID
Spain
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.