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The Inflammasome: a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of Hypoxic Brain Injury in Neonates

Projektbeschreibung

Neuartige Therapie bei Hirnschädigung durch Sauerstoffmangel

Die hypoxisch-ischämische Enzephalopathie bezeichnet eine Schädigung des Gehirns von Neugeborenen durch Sauerstoffmangel. Hypoxisch-ischämische Enzephalopathie wird mit hoher Mortalität und auch mit dauerhaften neurologischen Störungen wie Zerebralparese oder Epilepsie assoziiert. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt OxyBaby untersucht daher, ob sich die Folgen hypoxischer Hirnschäden durch gezielte Hemmung des Inflammasoms rückgängig machen lassen. An präklinischen Modellen der Erkrankung und mit modernster Bildgebung soll geklärt werden, wie mit verschiedensten Inhibitoren dem neuroinflammatorischen Prozess gegengesteuert werden kann. Dann könnte auf Basis dieser Ergebnisse die derzeitige klinische Versorgung von an hypoxisch-ischämischer Enzephalopathie erkrankten Säuglingen verbessert werden.

Ziel

Following 4.5 years abroad I hope to work as a MSCA Fellow to tackle the issue of deleterious neuroinflammation following hypoxic injury in newborns. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) describes brain injury that occurs when an infant’s brain does not receive enough oxygen & blood. Approximately 15-25% of patients die, 1 in 4 develop severe and permanent neurological disorders including, Cerebral Palsy & later-life Epilepsy. There are currently no successful treatment options & HIE has withstood attempts to improve outcome. A critical immune complex, the inflammasome was discovered in 2002 that senses ‘danger’ & processes potent inflammatory cytokines to bioactive forms. I have generated novel data demonstrating a role for the inflammasome & specifically targeting it for treatment of hypoxic brain injury. This study advances this by assessing the exact contribution of its activity on a cellular level & temporally targeting the complex as a novel treatment. I will employ established preclinical models of hypoxic brain injury, advanced imaging techniques (2- photon) & novel small molecule inhibitors of the complex. I will work at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) with supervisor Prof David Henshall, Director of the FutureNeuro Centre, a multi-institutional national centre for chronic & rare neurological disease research. Ultimately, our proposal will aid design & improvement of current clinical care strategies for infant patients with HIE. I will work with top neuroscientists within FutureNeuro & Europe (Prof Mallard, Sweden), the leading inflammasome company, Inflazome & its CSO Prof O’ Neill and Neonatologists including Prof Murray (Cork, Ireland). My collaboration with these leaders across multiple sectors will expand my competencies/transferable skills & allow advanced multidisciplinary training from experts. All of these will combine to leave me well-placed to provide meaningful contributions to Europe’s competitiveness and growth in the future.

Koordinator

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 184 590,72
Adresse
ST STEPHEN'S GREEN 123
2 Dublin
Irland

Auf der Karte ansehen

Region
Ireland Northern and Western Border
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 184 590,72