Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-06-18

Regulation of innate immunity in the female reproductive tract

Objective

Implantation failure after natural mating or in vitro fertilization may be due to either embryo or endometrial factors. Recent evidence suggests that sub-clinical infection, inflammation or malfunctions of the immune system in the female reproductive tract (FRT) are major causes of implantation failure. Toll like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to have a key role in the induction of immune and inflammatory responses in mammals. TLRs are the main family of pattern recognition receptors, they recognise pathogen-associated molecular pattern and constitute a major part of the innate immune system. We have demonstrated the presence and distribution of TLRs in the human FRT and we have also reported cyclical expression of TLRs during the menstrual cycle in the human endometrium. TLRs expression and function is also affected by sex hormones in endometrial cell lines. Finally using in vitro assays of human implantation, it is clear that activation of TLR5 leads to a reduction in binding of human trophoblast cells to endometrium. Indicative of the role that this molecule plays in mediating human implantation process. We aim to systemically investigate the effect of sex hormones on expression and function of TLR5 in Human endometrial cells. We hypothesise that alteration of sex hormones in the environment of endometrial cells will result in alterations of TLR5 expression and function. Using a TLR5 gene-reporter system, TLR5-eGFP system and microfluditics we aim to construct an in vitro model for systemic analysis of TLR5 gene expression, protein production and function in endometrial cells in the presence of different combinations and concentrations of sex hormones. Data obtained will be used to establish an in silico model to predict alterations in expression and function of TLR5 at different stages of reproductive cycle, in health and disease. Such an in silico model will have diverse applications in improving diagnosis, treatment and care for infertility patients.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF
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.

MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF)

Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
EU contribution
€ 173 240,80
Address
FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK
S10 2TN SHEFFIELD
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

No data
My booklet 0 0