Objective
Objective: The mammalian gut is colonized by trillions of bacteria. These gut microbes (microbiota) have coevolved with the host and developed traits that affects host physiology. Interestingly, germ-free (GF) mice exhibit arrested intestinal vascularisation if compared to littermates that were raised in a non-sterile environment (CONV-R, conventional-raised). Intestinal colonization with a normal microbiota initiates massive formation of capillary networks in the intestine of ex-GF mice (CONV-D, conventional-derived). The underlying molecular mechanisms that lead to formation of intricate capillary networks are completely unknown and therefore intense research is needed to elucidate how gut microbes trigger the formation of capillary networks. In the outlined project we will dissect proangiogenic molecules that can be induced by colonization with a gut microbiota and thus regulate microvessel formation in the intestinal mucosa. Methods: To uncover proangiogenic genes upregulated in response to microbial colonization we will perform qRT-PCR-analyses on small intestinal tissues collected from GF and CONV-R mice. The vascular marker CD31 (PECAM-1) will be used to quantify villus vascularization by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Preliminary results: We found that microbial colonization of the intestine leads to formation of an intricate vascular network. This process could be efficiently blocked by administration of an antibody directed against Tissue Factor (TF), the initiator molecule of coagulation. A distinct set of proangiogenic genes was identified to be upregulated in a TF-dependent manner following microbial colonization. Significance: A detailed understanding on how microbes affect intestinal morphogenesis and in particular the formation of microvessels in the mucosa is of major interest, since a disturbed formation of microvessels is observed in inflammatory bowel disease. Moreover, this approach will lead to better knowledge of the wound healing process.
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 microbiology bacteriology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology inflammatory bowel disease
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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
55131 Mainz
Germany
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.