Objective
Autoimmune diseases are a significant burden for the quality of life and health care cost. Despite intense research efforts, the mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmune diseases are still largely obscure. This obvious ignorance explains why the current treatment of these chronic diseases remains inadequate and is associated with severe side effects. Here we propose an original and new approach to tackle this problem.Our approach is mainly based on the major biological function of the thymus, i.e. to ensure the generation of a diverse repertoire of T cell receptors that are self-tolerant.The thymus achieves this goal by using two complementary mechanisms: a) apoptotic deletion and developmental arrest of T cells bearing a receptor (TCR) with high affinity for self-antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins expressed by thymic epithelial and dendritic cells, and b) generation of self-antigen specific regulatory T cells. The escape from central self-tolerance now appears to play a prominent role in the development of autoimmune diseases.
Six workpackages will achieve the objectives of this proposal:
1. Intrathymic promiscuous gene expression and self-peptide tolerogenic therapy.
2. Preclinical studies of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) in gene therapy.
3. Interest of anti-Coxsackievirus B4 vaccination for prevention of type 1 diabetes.
4. Exploration of a new T cell pathway governing autoimmunity and allergy.
5. Development, function and therapeutic utility of regulatory T cells in autoimmune diseases and asthma.
6. Evaluation of thymic epithelial stem cell therapeutic potential.
This ambitious research project will lead to new insights into disease mechanisms, and will concurrently provide a unique platform for innovative diagnostics and for disease-specific therapy aimed at a cure and prevention of autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes as a prototypic target of this proposal.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
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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-LIFESCIHEALTH
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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
LIEGE
Belgium
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Participants (26)
VIENNA
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WUERZBURG
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LILLE
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MARSEILLE
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OXFORD
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ROMA
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HEIDELBERG
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TAMPERE
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VIENNA
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MARTINSRIED
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PARIS
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ADELAIDE
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VIENNA
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LONDON
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MUENCHEN
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FREIBURG
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OXFORD
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VIENNA
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HEIDELBERG
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PARKVILLE, VICTORIA
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BELLATERRA (CERDANYOLA DEL VALLES
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MONTREAL
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BASEL
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BIRMINGHAM
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TARTU
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ANGLEUR
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