Project description
Molecular mechanisms of autoimmunity initiation
Up to one third of all people are affected by autoimmune diseases (AID) during their lifetime. However, current therapies target the terminal phase of inflammation and not the initiation of the autoimmune process. The EU-funded EXAUTOIMMUNE project will use Sjögren’s syndrome, an AID affecting the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of the eyes and mouth, as a model for investigating the processes involved in the initiation of the autoimmune response. It will characterise the extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by the salivary gland epithelial cells and apply next-generation sequencing to analyse the EVs’ RNA content to identify molecules that can disrupt the autoimmune processes. The project will accomplish a transition to a mouse model to test the therapeutic value of EV transcriptomics.
Objective
It is estimated that over 36 million Europeans suffer from an autoimmune disease (AID) and according to the European
League against Rheumatism one third of people of all ages are affected at some point during their lifetime. AIDs are a
significant clinical problem, however, most of the current therapies target the terminal phase of inflammation and do not
suppress the fundamental events responsible for the initiation of the autoimmune process. The EXAUTOIMMUNE project
will use Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), one of the most common AIDs, as a model to create innovating strategies for dissecting
the fundamental processes involved in the initiation of the autoimmune response. By using state-of-the-art nanotechnology
we will characterize the extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by the salivary gland epithelial cells, the main target of
autoimmune responses in SS, and test their immunoregulatory properties. Then, we will apply next-generation sequencing to
analyze the EVs’ RNA content and identify candidate RNA molecules that can be functionally tested for disruption of
autoimmune processes. Linking EVs and extracellular RNA to autoimmunity is a fundamental theme of the current
knowledge. The results of the proposed research will substantially add to the delineation of the biological relevance of
extracellular RNA in modulating the regulatory mechanisms leading to autoimmunity. This study will form the foundation for
transitioning from human biology to a mouse model, where the potential therapeutic value of EV and/or RNA-targeting will be
tested, thus opening the best career opportunities for the applicant as a leader in this newly emerging landscape.
Spearheading this research using next-generation tools and ideas will produce long-term synergies and will define EU and
ERA as world leaders in the battle against AID. Collectively, the project activities will open the best career opportunities for
the candidate, while advancing EU’s scientific competitiveness and innovation.
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 cell biology
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses HIV
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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-2019
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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.
115 27 ATHINA
Greece
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.