GIPTRAP | Therapeutic potential of recombinant antibodies to neutralize immunogenic peptides in celiac disease

Summary
Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population worldwide. It is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten intake in genetically predisposed individuals. Celiac disease causes intestinal villi atrophy that results in a deficient absorption of nutrients and other risks. Gluten major sources are wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Currently, the only effective treatment is a permanent gluten free diet (GFD). However, a fully GFD is difficult to achieve. The average daily gluten intake in celiac patients is estimated to be 150-400 mg, when 50 mg are enough to damage the intestine of most celiac patients. Accordingly, symptoms persist in 65% of patients, with only 8% reaching complete gut recovery. Preliminary data showed that an antibody raised against the most immunogenic gluten peptide suppressed 90% immunogenicity of hydrolyzed gluten ex vivo. This project proposes a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate the effect of exposure to gluten for celiac patients not completely responsive to GFD. I aim to assess the potential of anti-Gluten Immunogenic Peptides (GIP) antibodies as therapeutic tools by evaluating their effectiveness to neutralize GIP in vitro and ex vivo. I will develop improved humanized recombinant versions of anti-GIP antibodies, analyze their performance and stability, and optimize their production in mammalian cell cultures in collaboration with partner biotech companies and academia research groups with long experience in the field, bringing novel transferable knowledge to the host institution. The recombinant antibodies will also be explored for their improved performance in diagnostic applications for determining GIP excretion. This Fellowship will allow to extend my existing network beyond Academia towards Biotech Industry and will provide me with significant experience to mature towards independent project management in industrial research in the fields of recombinant protein production and immunotherapy.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101030158
Start date: 01-01-2022
End date: 31-12-2023
Total budget - Public funding: 160 932,48 Euro - 160 932,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population worldwide. It is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten intake in genetically predisposed individuals. Celiac disease causes intestinal villi atrophy that results in a deficient absorption of nutrients and other risks. Gluten major sources are wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Currently, the only effective treatment is a permanent gluten free diet (GFD). However, a fully GFD is difficult to achieve. The average daily gluten intake in celiac patients is estimated to be 150-400 mg, when 50 mg are enough to damage the intestine of most celiac patients. Accordingly, symptoms persist in 65% of patients, with only 8% reaching complete gut recovery. Preliminary data showed that an antibody raised against the most immunogenic gluten peptide suppressed 90% immunogenicity of hydrolyzed gluten ex vivo. This project proposes a novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate the effect of exposure to gluten for celiac patients not completely responsive to GFD. I aim to assess the potential of anti-Gluten Immunogenic Peptides (GIP) antibodies as therapeutic tools by evaluating their effectiveness to neutralize GIP in vitro and ex vivo. I will develop improved humanized recombinant versions of anti-GIP antibodies, analyze their performance and stability, and optimize their production in mammalian cell cultures in collaboration with partner biotech companies and academia research groups with long experience in the field, bringing novel transferable knowledge to the host institution. The recombinant antibodies will also be explored for their improved performance in diagnostic applications for determining GIP excretion. This Fellowship will allow to extend my existing network beyond Academia towards Biotech Industry and will provide me with significant experience to mature towards independent project management in industrial research in the fields of recombinant protein production and immunotherapy.

Status

TERMINATED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships