Objective
Innate immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells produce potent inflammatory cytokines to mount an appropriate immune response against microbial threats. The related cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18 require cleavage by the cysteine protease caspase-1 to generate biologically active IL-1beta and IL-18. Caspase-1 itself is synthesized as zymogen that interacts with certain members of the intracellular NOD-like receptor (NLR) family in infected macrophages to form large protein complexes named ‘inflammasomes’. The importance of inflammasomes is evident from the genetic variations in the NLR proteins Nalp1 and Nalp3 that are associated with autoinflammatory disorders and increased susceptibility to microbial infection. However, the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation and the role of caspase-11 have remained unclear. Caspase-11 has been suggested as an upstream and downstream regulator of caspase-1 functions in LPS-stimulated cells. However, its role in specific infammasomes and its contribution to substrate cleavage in innate immunity remain to be explored. We generated caspase-11 knockout mice to characterize the physiological role of caspase-11 in inflammasome signaling and the innate immune response. In Aim 1, we will characterize the role of caspase-11 in activation of the different caspase-1 inflammasomes. In Aim 2, the proteome-wide caspase-11 degradome will be determined using mass spectrometry-based COFRADIC technology. Primary macrophages from caspase-11 knockout mice will be used to validate the caspase-11 degradome under activating conditions. These approaches will generate a wealth of new information regarding the role of caspase-11 in innate immunity. Elucidating the role of caspase-11 in inflammasome signaling and the innate immune response will provide new insights into the mechanisms governing immunity and may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for autoimmune disorders.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
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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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
See other projects for this call
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
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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.