Objective
In order to induce a robust and effective immune response at mucosal level, bacteria, viruses and other antigens must cross the intestinal barrier. Highly specialised antigen-sampling M cells are strategically located in certain areas of the gut and play a fundamental role in the induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses by transporting antigens to the mucosal-associated immune system (MALT). Large numbers of in vivo studies, in which the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) or, more recently, nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) was challenged with pathogens or microparticles clearly demonstrated that M cells within the FAE are the primary site for antigen-sampling.
We have recently found that the cytokine Macrophage Migration Inhibitory factor (MIF) plays an important role in the formation of fully operational M cells in the FAE and here we commend the idea of investigating the potential of MIF as novel enhancer of M cell-mediated transport of antigens an d therapeutics to the mucosal immune system. The main objective of this proposal is to use the recombinant lactic acid bacterium L. lactis for the delivery of MIF to the mucosal (oral and nasal) immune system in order to increase the number of fully operat ional M cells of the FAE.
In this way we will be able to design novel and more effective strategy for oral or nasal delivery of vaccines and other biologically active compounds. Generation of LAB expressing lymphokines has already been demonstrated and the advantage of using L. lactis is that it has GRAS status and is routinely used in food fermentation and as probiotic functional food ingredient.
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 chemical sciences organic chemistry organic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
United Kingdom
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.