PHII | PTX3 in Humoral Innate Immunity

Summary
The innate immune system includes a cellular and a humoral arm. Structural diversity is a characteristic of humoral fluid phase pattern recognition molecules. These include complement components, collectins, ficolins, and pentraxins. We have used the long pentraxin PTX3, identified by the applicant (cDNA and genomic, mouse and human), as a prototypic fluid phase pattern recognition molecule to dissect its function, as well as to define general properties of humoral innate immunity and its interplay with the cellular arm. The general objective of this application is to explore unexpected vistas on humoral innate immunity, using PTX3 as a molecular tool. Specifically two hypothesis will be tested based on preliminary data. First the applicant will test the hypothesis that matrix and microbe recognition are related functions of PTX3 and that a microenvironmental signal (acidic pH) sets PTX3 in a matrix recognition, tissue repair mode. A second related line of work will focus on inflammation as a key component of the tumor microenvironment. The applicant will test the hypothesis that PTX3 and elements of the humoral innate immune system are essential components of cancer related inflammation. In particular, based on preliminary data, the hypothesis will be tested that PTX3 acts as an extrinsic oncosuppressor in murine carcinogenesis and in selected human cancers by suppressing the recruitment of tumor-promoting inflammatory cells. These studies are expected to provide new unexpected vistas on the humoral arm of the innate immune system.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/669415
Start date: 01-09-2015
End date: 31-08-2020
Total budget - Public funding: 2 497 081,00 Euro - 2 497 081,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The innate immune system includes a cellular and a humoral arm. Structural diversity is a characteristic of humoral fluid phase pattern recognition molecules. These include complement components, collectins, ficolins, and pentraxins. We have used the long pentraxin PTX3, identified by the applicant (cDNA and genomic, mouse and human), as a prototypic fluid phase pattern recognition molecule to dissect its function, as well as to define general properties of humoral innate immunity and its interplay with the cellular arm. The general objective of this application is to explore unexpected vistas on humoral innate immunity, using PTX3 as a molecular tool. Specifically two hypothesis will be tested based on preliminary data. First the applicant will test the hypothesis that matrix and microbe recognition are related functions of PTX3 and that a microenvironmental signal (acidic pH) sets PTX3 in a matrix recognition, tissue repair mode. A second related line of work will focus on inflammation as a key component of the tumor microenvironment. The applicant will test the hypothesis that PTX3 and elements of the humoral innate immune system are essential components of cancer related inflammation. In particular, based on preliminary data, the hypothesis will be tested that PTX3 acts as an extrinsic oncosuppressor in murine carcinogenesis and in selected human cancers by suppressing the recruitment of tumor-promoting inflammatory cells. These studies are expected to provide new unexpected vistas on the humoral arm of the innate immune system.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

ERC-ADG-2014

Update Date

27-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
ERC-2014
ERC-2014-ADG
ERC-ADG-2014 ERC Advanced Grant