Project description
The role of microenvironmental interactions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in adults in the western world. A critical component in CLL pathogenesis is the activation of the B-cell receptor signalling taking place in lymph nodes, and in the context of other microenvironmental interactions (such as CLL-T cell interaction). The EU-funded LeukemiaEnviron project is investigating how CLL cells behave in the microenvironment of immune niches. This includes analysis of CLL samples at various times during the disease course, during microenvironment-targeting therapies, and comparison of CLL cells in lymph nodes and peripheral blood. Results may have important clinical ramifications, and researchers also aim to develop a novel mouse model of the disease.
Objective
B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most frequent leukemia in adults. CLL cells are characterized by their universal dependency on pro-survival and pro-proliferative signals from immune niches. To achieve this they constantly re-circulate between blood and lymph nodes, which is inhibited by novel microenvironment-targeting therapies such as “BCR inhibitors”. We aim to reveal how the malignant B cells change the propensity of their signalling pathways in response to the different microenvironments such as peripheral blood vs lymph node to obtain the proliferative signals. This is of major relevance for CLL, but also transferable to the biology of some other B cell malignancies and/or normal B cells. We analyzed the “finger print” of microenvironmental interactions in many CLL samples at various times during the disease course or during therapy. The obtained data led us to hypothesize on the mechanisms of regulation of signalling propensity of two pathways that are responsible for proliferation and survival of CLL cells, namely B Cell Receptor (BCR) signalling and signals from T-cells mediated by CD40/IL4. In aim 1 we hypothesize that CD20 is one of the key proteins involved in CLL cell activation, and influences BCR and interleukin signalling (see figure). This has important therapeutic implication since CD20 is used as a therapeutic target for 20 years (rituximab), but its function in CLL/normal B cells is unknown. In aim 2 we hypothesize that miR-29 acts a key regulator of T-cell signalling from CD40 and down-stream NFkB activation (see figure). This represents the first example of miRNAs‘ role in the propensity of T-cell interaction, and could be also utilized therapeutically. In aim 3 we will integrate our data on microenvironmental signaling (aim 1+2) and develop a first mouse model for PDX that would allow stable engraftment of primary CLL cells. Currently, CLL is non-transplantable to any animal model which complicates studies of its biology.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology leukemia
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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.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
Funding Scheme
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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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
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601 77 Brno
Czechia
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