Final Report Summary - MOLINFLAM (Molecular dissection of inflammatory pathways)
Myeloid cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and osteoclasts play an important role in diverse biological functions ranging from innate immune defense, inflammatory diseases and bone metabolism. Importantly, all those functions have major relevance in various human diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory skin diseases, osteoporosis and other forms of pathological bone loss. During the course of the project, we have used various genetic tools to identify important inracellular signal transduction pathways that function within myeloid cells and are involved in the development of various disease states characterized by myeloid cell dysfunction. We have found that components of a tyrosine- and lipid kinase signal transduction pathway, such as Src-family kinases, Syk, PLCγ2 and various isoforms play important roles in autoimmune inflammatory diseases and normal metabolism of the bone tissue. We have performed a number of sophisticated genetic experiments to provide in-depth understanding of how those signaling molecules participate in the disease process. Those studies may provide the basis for further eperiments aimed at the better diagnosis and therapy of human diseases. We have also established the basic infrastructure and a national/Europe-wide resource for the promotion of inflammation and bone biology research in Hungary and all over Europe.