Objective
A critical event in the formation of mature atherosclerotic plaque is migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media to the intima, where they produce extra-cellular matrix (ECM) proteins, forming a fibrous cap above the pro-inflammatory and lipid core. SMC are highly plastic, and can alter their state of differentiation in response to environmental cues. Intimal SMC display pro-inflammatory properties, in that expression of the adhesion molecule P-selectin and cytokines are up-regulated and NFkB is activated. It is not explicitly known what triggers the pro-inflammatory phenotype of SMCs. We propose to utilize human carotid atheroma-derived SMC from endarterectomy specimens to identify the molecular basis of the pro-inflammatory phenotype of SMC in atherosclerosis via transcriptome analysis. Determining the specific gene expression pattern of SMCs in atherosclerotic plaques as well as in healthy tissue helps in gaining a better understanding of the plaque formation process. Since the oral cavity is well vascularized, we also hypothesize that infection in this site provides a direct route to the bloodstream and might contribute to plaque inflammation and changes in SMC responses. We will study whether biological samples from human periapical abscesses can induce inflammatory gene expression in SMC by using aspirates of bacteria from lesions of periodontal infection (containing bacteria such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans or Porhyromonas gingivalis) as well as contents of periapical abscesses from dental patients. The study of such pro-inflammatory events might provide insights into the development and/or destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. The strong merit of the proposed study is the use of relevant human tissues which increases the translational value of the research and the possibility to understand human disease.
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 biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases arteriosclerosis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
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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.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF
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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
OX1 2JD Oxford
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.