Objective
Tissue immune homeostasis is dependent upon a dynamic balance between effector T-cells (Teff) and regulatory T-cells (Treg). Biological variables that perturb their ratios are critical determinants in the development of autoimmunity. How this balance is established and maintained in peripheral tissues is largely unknown and is therefore essential for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and chronic tissue inflammation. Current therapies focus on reducing pathogenic Teff responses while augmenting suppressive Treg pathways. Tissue-resident dendritic cell (DC) populations are intimately associated with tissue-resident T-cells. It is well documented that inflammatory conditions alter the function of DCs, which in turn influence T-cell differentiation towards Teff and Treg cells. We hypothesize that skin DC subsets will have specific and distinct roles in establishing and maintaining peripheral Teff and Treg cells, and in doing so, play a major role in maintaining self-tolerance in the skin. Utlising a novel and unique experimental model whereby self-antigen is inducibly expressed in the skin, this proposal will dissect the role of tissue DCs in: 1) generating Teff and Treg populations in the skin in response to cutaneous self antigen expression; 2) deleting Teff cells upon persistent self antigen expression; and 3) maintaining Teff and Treg memory populations in the skin. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the dominant mechanisms of immune regulation occur within peripheral tissues at the sites of antigen expression and not in secondary lymphoid organs. To elucidate whether skin DC subsets mediate their effects in the skin or skin draining lymph nodes we will employ highly advanced two-photon laser scanning microscopy to compare DC-Teff and DC-Treg interactions at these two sites in real-time. The proposed research project will provide insights into critical DC-T-cell interactions as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune 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 physical sciences optics microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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-2012-IOF
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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
WC2R 2LS London
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.