Objective
Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disease, characterized by aberrant epidermal differentiation, surface scale formation and marked cutaneous inflammation. It affects about 1% of the European population and has currently no effective treatment. The visible nature of the disease ensures that patients have both physical and psychosocial effects intruding their life style. Using genetically modified mice, engineered to have a keratinocyte-restricted deletion of the RhoA gene, we found for the first time that RhoA regulates the sensitivity of skin to inflammatory stress in vivo. Moreover, around a metal ear tag, those mice develop a severe skin defect bearing similarities to psoriasis. Our goal is to understand the role of RhoA in skin inflammation and the possible involvement of decreased RhoA signaling in the development of psoriasis. To achieve our goal we propose to investigate gene expression in vivo through an array on freshly prepared primary keratinocytes and to test if the induced gene expression is cell autonomous by using a lentivirus strategy. A lentiviral knockdown sublibrary will help us to determine which signaling mechanisms contribute to those changes in gene expression. Moreover, we want to use our model to investigate the sensitivity of RhoA null skin to an irritant contact dermatis model and to induce an allergic contact dermatis. We will then analyze the infiltrating cells and determine the mechanisms involved in the inflammation. Using tissue sections from our mice and from psoriasis patients we will study the similarities between ear tag lesions and psoriatic lesions by establishing new immunostaining protocols. Our work will increase our understanding of psoriasis development and identify new drug targets that are needed to improve the current psoriasis therapies.
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
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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
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
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.