Objective
Thrombosis is a complex process involving activation of endothelial cells, and their release of Weibel-Palade body contents such as von Willebrand factor (VWF) and P-selectin. This in turn recruits platelets which form aggregates, and leukocytes such as neutrophils. The recent discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) described a novel antimicrobial function of neutrophils. NETs are extracellular chromatin strands containing microbicidal proteins. The release of histones, serine proteases, and myeloperoxidase concentrated on DNA fibers into the extracellular space can contribute to many pathologies. NETs can bind platelets and red blood cells and therefore also contribute to thrombosis. Activated platelets can in turn stimulate neutrophils to make NETs, creating a vicious thrombo-inflammatory cycle.
Our first objective is to study VWF involvement in the induction of NETosis. We will elucidate the role of VWF as an important mediator of NET formation using VWF mutants. Innovative live-cell imaging and flow cytometry will be used to unravel the kinetics of VWF/platelet-mediated NET formation. Our second objective is to assess the physiological relevance of (inhibiting) platelet/VWF involvement in NETs-related pathology. We will investigate the role of VWF/NET interactions in three critical clinical settings where microvascular thrombosis contributes to multiorgan failure and/or mortality: sudden inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and severe malaria. Mouse models of disease will be used and combined with several strategies for inhibition of VWF/platelet/NETs interactions to assess their effect on disease progression.
In summary, with this research project we aim to better understand how platelets and VWF can drive NET formation in thrombo-inflammation, as this may also lead to more targeted therapeutic approaches in diseases which currently have limited treatment options.
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 genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine hematology
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3000 LEUVEN
Belgium
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.