Objective
The technique to introduce naked DNA for short/long term expression in vivo that induces immune response specific to the encoded protein(s) is new. The research team intends to develop plasmids that will induce immune response against a panel of viral proteins (DNA-immunogens).
The viruses selected are causative agents of hazardous human diseases: AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus type I; HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). For HCV where no cellular or animal challenge models are available, introduction of naked DNA opens a possibility to mimic viral infection ex and in vivo. Canonical proteins which are highly conserved among viral species and essential for viral replication and assembly are chosen: the reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 and the nucleocapsid (core) protein of HCV.
The strategy of the research proposed is to design eukaryotic expression systems for these proteins, test them in vitro, and develop appropriate DNA delivery systems. Promising approaches will be continued in vivo in mouse, rabbit, and macaque models by using direct immunization with DNA and adoptive transfer of DNA-transfected cells. The liver targeting of HCV gene expression is to be achieved in vivo on a mouse model in order to assess possible pathological effect of HCV core expression on liver tissue. Humoral and cellular responses raised by DNA immunization will be screened using enzyme-linked immune assays and T-cell proliferation tests. Possible apoptosis-inducing, or cytotoxic effects of DNA-immunization including appearance of autoantibodies and/or anti-DNA antibodies will be assayed. The main objective is the demonstration of the protective potential of DNA-immunizations. For HIV-1, it implies capability of cytolytic immune response against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase to destroy HIV-1 infected cells before the release of the infectious virions ex and in vivo. In vivo testing of the protection could be done on mice models of HIV-1 challenge: infection with pseudovirus (pseudotyped viral genes), and HIV-1 infection of severely immunodeficient mice reconstituted with human hematopoietic tissue. For HCV, mouse strains transgenic for the nucleocapsid protein will be used to study the possibility to obliterate nucleocapsid protein production by newly developed core DNA-immunization.
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.
This project has not yet been classified with EuroSciVoc.
Be the first one to suggest relevant scientific fields and help us improve our classification service
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
Data not available
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.
Data not available
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.
Data not available
Coordinator
105 21 Stockholm
Sweden
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.