Objective
The results would open up new avenues to the understanding of Raynaud's phenomenon seen in miners and steel workers suffering from Vibration White Finger syndrome, and will be of fundamental importance in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of cutaneous blood flow and the potential abnormality in these manual workers.
The pharmacological studies will increase understanding of the molecular and intracellular mechanisms regulating synthesis and responsiveness of the cutaneous microvascular endothelium to ET-1 and EDRF thus leading to the identification of sites for pharmacological intervention and new treatments for Raynaud's phenomenon and Vibratory White Finger.
METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED
Tissue
Skin biopsies will be taken from the dorsum of the finger and processed for different investigative techniques.
Immunocytochemistry
Light microscopical studies will be carried out using the indirect immunofluorescence technique.
Quantification by computer image analysis
Quantification will be carried out using a low light video camera mounted on a Vanox fluorescence microscope, and linked to a VIDAS image analyzer to assess different parameters.
Confocal microscopy
The distribution of immunoreactive nerves will be studied using confocal scanning laser microscopy linked to an image analyzer to obtain a precise 3-dimensional localisation of the innervation in skin and of the changes in pathological specimens.
Receptor binding studies
The technique, combined with image analysis, allows the mapping of putative receptors to precise anatomical regions and their pharmacological characterization using appropriate analogues and antagonist.
In vitro pharmacological studies
The experiments will utilize human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) cultured from neonatal foreskin obtained at circumcision. mRNA expression for ET-1 and ET-1 receptor will be investigated by in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis, cellular immunoreactive protein will be localised by immunocytochemistry and measurement of released immunoreactive protein by radioimmunoassay.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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)
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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.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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
W12 0NN 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.