Objective
The main objectives of this project are the elucidation of the role played by specific viral cofactors in AIDS and the identification of cofactor-targeted therapeutic approaches that could delay or prevent the progression of the immunodeficiency which is characteristic of AIDS.
Despite the intensive research efforts made during the last decade, our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of the immune defects associated with full-blown AIDS is still limited. This limitation has significantly hindered the development of effective measures for the prevention and control of this disease. Although it has been hypothesized that viral cofactors may play an essential role in the disease progression toward AIDS, no definitive proof has been hitherto provided. Several lines of clinical and experimental evidence suggest that three recently discovered human herpesviruses, namely, human herpesvirus HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8, may significantly influence the natural history of AIDS and/or some AIDS-related disorders. Understanding the role played by viral cofactors in AIDS may have critical implications both for the prophylaxis and for the therapy of AIDS.
The specific objectives of the project are the following:
a) To define the role played by HHV-6, a T-lymphotropic and cytopathic virus which synergizes with HIV in vitro, in the pathogenesis of the immunological defects leading to AIDS.
b) To define the role played by HHV-7, a natural antagonist of HIV in vitro, in the course of HIV infection.
c) To assess the prevalence and replication of a novel herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) in the course of HIV infection. To develop systems for the isolation
of KSHV in vitro (the virus has never been selectively isolated in cell culture) and the study of its biological, immunological and genetic characteristics.
d) To establish and study animal models of infection by human herpesviruses in macaques or in heterochimeric SCID mice. To establish and study animal models of coinfection by human herpesviruses and pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or HIV.
f) To identify effective therapeutic agents against HHV-6, HHV-7 or KSHV in test systems in vitro. To investigate the in vivo effects of selected compounds showing high anti-herpesvirus activity in animal models.
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.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses HIV
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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)
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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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
20132 MILANO
Italy
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.