Project description
Immunotoxicity of emerging alternatives to everyday chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic compounds with known immunotoxic effects. As regulatory restrictions increase for PFAS, alternatives such as perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) are emerging, though their biological impacts remain unclear. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the EPIC project investigates how long-term PFUnDA exposure affects immune regulation and intercellular communication in zebrafish. The study focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized particles produced by all cells, carrying molecular cargo that reflects the physiological state of their cells of origin. By evaluating changes in immune system-related gene expression and EV microRNA profiling, the project aims to uncover mechanisms of PFUnDA-induced immunomodulation and assess the potential of EVs as biomarkers for chemical exposure in aquatic ecotoxicology.
Objective
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging environmental contaminants which are highly persistent in the environment with multiple hazardous properties including immunomodulation/immunotoxic potency. Human exposure to PFASs has been associated with various immune-mediated diseases and outcomes. Recently the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) called for a gradual ban of over 10,000 PFAS compounds in Europe. As concerns grow about the persistence and toxicity of PFAS, the market has shifted towards new PFAS alternatives, however, little is known about the potential risks of these newer chemicals. PFASs have now widely been replaced in many consumer products with PFASs with longer carbon-chains, like perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA). Rising exposure levels of PFUnDA has been already observed and it was reported previously to have negative effect on the immune system in vitro and in vivo.
Blood plasma transports mRNA that modulate immune responses and also extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play key role in intercellular communicationthat and can transport biologically relevant cargo, including microRNAs (miRNAs), and may partly mediate the effects of pollutants on the immune system.
This project aims to determine how new PFAS alternatives affect the immune system in long term exposure. To fully understand the mechanisms and to address the multifaceted nature of chemical induced immunotoxicity, the study focuses on changes of key mRNA biomarkers related to the immune system and on the EV-miRNA cargo of extracellular vesicles in long term PFUnDA exposure. Our goal is to develop a multi-biomarker palette identifying key mRNAs and EV-miRNAs in zebrafish to screen novel chemicals for their immunotoxic potency, that is high throughput, quick and easily measured from blood.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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's classification has been human-validated.
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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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.
601 77 Brno
Czechia
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.