Objective
Atherosclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory process. Arterial inflammation that precedes plaque development is caused by accumulation of LDL (low density lipoproteins) in the extracellular matrix of the vessels. These LDL particles are modified by a number of processes, including enzymatic degradation, aggregation and oxidation. Complement is also emerging as an important factor in this process: complement activation and formation of the terminal C5b-9 membrane attack complex were shown to occur in atherosclerotic lesions. Recently we have studied the ability of enzymatically modified LDL (E-LDL) to activate C1, the complex that triggers the classical pathway of complement. E-LDL is recognized by the C1q subunit of C1 and triggers direct C1 activation, suggesting that complement activation by E-LDL may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The objective of this proposal is to characterize the mechanisms involved in the recognition of E-LDL by C1q. We aim at (i) identifying the molecules recognized by C1q; (ii) characterizing the molecular mechanisms involved in this recognition; and (iii) analyzing the mechanisms underlying E-LDL-mediated C1 activation. The project is based on approaches at the molecular and structural levels, and will involve protein biochemistry methods, X-ray crystallography, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and functional studies. From a fundamental standpoint, the immediate benefit of this work will be to improve our knowledge of the mechanisms that allow C1q to act as a “sensor” of altered self structures. The biomedical applications of our results could have a considerable impact in the development of new therapeutic strategies against atherosclerosis, because the molecular mapping of the interaction between E-LDL and C1q could help design and synthesize molecules able to interfere with this interaction and thereby to control or prevent complement activation.
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 physical sciences condensed matter physics quasiparticles
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy crystallography
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases arteriosclerosis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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.
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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
75794 PARIS
France
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.