Objective
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is neurological disease that is characterized by clinical attacks of paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of vision, and genito-urinary symptoms. MS affects an estimated 500 000 patients in Europe, at a cost to Europe of over 9 billion euro per annum, and is the most frequent cause of neurological disability in young adults. Women are affected approximately twice as often as men.
The mechanisms of disease are thought to involve a reaction of the immune system against components of the brain and spinal cord (autoimmune disease). MS is currently treated with drugs that regulate the immune system. Of these, the most frequently used is Interferon-beta (IFNb), a molecule that was initially discovered for its antiviral properties and was subsequently found to be immunomodulating. The technology for the production and purification of recombinant IFNb significantly contributes to the healthcare cost. IFNb can be produced in large amounts by the human immune system, particularly during viral infections.
The innate immune system has the capacity to recognise structural components that are shared by viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents, via cell surface molecules called Toll-like receptors (TLR). In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, we have successfully treated the disease by administering TLR ligands and inducing endogenous IFNb and related molecules. In this translational research project, we are planning to transfer this treatment strategy to MS patients. The overall objective of this project is to make therapeutic use of the innate immune system's ability to produce endogenous interferons, cytokines, and chemokines in MS.
TLR agonists will be developed for clinical testing, with the expected benefits to the European Union being:
a) a novel strategy for MS treatment;
b) a significant reduction in treatment costs; and
c) improved quality of life for MS sufferers.
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
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology multiple sclerosis
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
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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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-12
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
NOTTINGHAM
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.