Summary
It is estimated that over 36 million Europeans suffer from an autoimmune disease (AID) and according to the European
League against Rheumatism one third of people of all ages are affected at some point during their lifetime. AIDs are a
significant clinical problem, however, most of the current therapies target the terminal phase of inflammation and do not
suppress the fundamental events responsible for the initiation of the autoimmune process. The EXAUTOIMMUNE project
will use Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), one of the most common AIDs, as a model to create innovating strategies for dissecting
the fundamental processes involved in the initiation of the autoimmune response. By using state-of-the-art nanotechnology
we will characterize the extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by the salivary gland epithelial cells, the main target of
autoimmune responses in SS, and test their immunoregulatory properties. Then, we will apply next-generation sequencing to
analyze the EVs’ RNA content and identify candidate RNA molecules that can be functionally tested for disruption of
autoimmune processes. Linking EVs and extracellular RNA to autoimmunity is a fundamental theme of the current
knowledge. The results of the proposed research will substantially add to the delineation of the biological relevance of
extracellular RNA in modulating the regulatory mechanisms leading to autoimmunity. This study will form the foundation for
transitioning from human biology to a mouse model, where the potential therapeutic value of EV and/or RNA-targeting will be
tested, thus opening the best career opportunities for the applicant as a leader in this newly emerging landscape.
Spearheading this research using next-generation tools and ideas will produce long-term synergies and will define EU and
ERA as world leaders in the battle against AID. Collectively, the project activities will open the best career opportunities for
the candidate, while advancing EU’s scientific competitiveness and innovation.
League against Rheumatism one third of people of all ages are affected at some point during their lifetime. AIDs are a
significant clinical problem, however, most of the current therapies target the terminal phase of inflammation and do not
suppress the fundamental events responsible for the initiation of the autoimmune process. The EXAUTOIMMUNE project
will use Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), one of the most common AIDs, as a model to create innovating strategies for dissecting
the fundamental processes involved in the initiation of the autoimmune response. By using state-of-the-art nanotechnology
we will characterize the extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by the salivary gland epithelial cells, the main target of
autoimmune responses in SS, and test their immunoregulatory properties. Then, we will apply next-generation sequencing to
analyze the EVs’ RNA content and identify candidate RNA molecules that can be functionally tested for disruption of
autoimmune processes. Linking EVs and extracellular RNA to autoimmunity is a fundamental theme of the current
knowledge. The results of the proposed research will substantially add to the delineation of the biological relevance of
extracellular RNA in modulating the regulatory mechanisms leading to autoimmunity. This study will form the foundation for
transitioning from human biology to a mouse model, where the potential therapeutic value of EV and/or RNA-targeting will be
tested, thus opening the best career opportunities for the applicant as a leader in this newly emerging landscape.
Spearheading this research using next-generation tools and ideas will produce long-term synergies and will define EU and
ERA as world leaders in the battle against AID. Collectively, the project activities will open the best career opportunities for
the candidate, while advancing EU’s scientific competitiveness and innovation.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/897821 |
| Start date: | 01-10-2020 |
| End date: | 30-09-2022 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 165 085,44 Euro - 165 085,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
It is estimated that over 36 million Europeans suffer from an autoimmune disease (AID) and according to the EuropeanLeague against Rheumatism one third of people of all ages are affected at some point during their lifetime. AIDs are a
significant clinical problem, however, most of the current therapies target the terminal phase of inflammation and do not
suppress the fundamental events responsible for the initiation of the autoimmune process. The EXAUTOIMMUNE project
will use Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), one of the most common AIDs, as a model to create innovating strategies for dissecting
the fundamental processes involved in the initiation of the autoimmune response. By using state-of-the-art nanotechnology
we will characterize the extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by the salivary gland epithelial cells, the main target of
autoimmune responses in SS, and test their immunoregulatory properties. Then, we will apply next-generation sequencing to
analyze the EVs’ RNA content and identify candidate RNA molecules that can be functionally tested for disruption of
autoimmune processes. Linking EVs and extracellular RNA to autoimmunity is a fundamental theme of the current
knowledge. The results of the proposed research will substantially add to the delineation of the biological relevance of
extracellular RNA in modulating the regulatory mechanisms leading to autoimmunity. This study will form the foundation for
transitioning from human biology to a mouse model, where the potential therapeutic value of EV and/or RNA-targeting will be
tested, thus opening the best career opportunities for the applicant as a leader in this newly emerging landscape.
Spearheading this research using next-generation tools and ideas will produce long-term synergies and will define EU and
ERA as world leaders in the battle against AID. Collectively, the project activities will open the best career opportunities for
the candidate, while advancing EU’s scientific competitiveness and innovation.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2019Update Date
28-04-2024
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