REDOXIT · Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as Elixirs against chronic Disease: OXidative regulatory mechanisms In T cells and neutrophils.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as Elixirs against chronic Disease: OXidative regulatory mechanisms In T cells and neutrophils.

REDOXIT 2015-2019 https://www.surrey.ac.uk/redoxit Within our four-year programme of knowledge transfer and networking between University of Surrey (SURREY, UK), Aston University (ASTON, UK), Erlangen Universitat (FAU, Germany) and Redoxis AB (Redoxis, Sweden), we have targeted an emerging area of biology; the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of immune responses and age-associated inflammatory conditions; we applied small molecule candidate drugs to generate ROS and used innovative approaches for biomarker identification in models of chronic immune disease. This research has significant potential for application in human health and is of particular relevance to the ageing population. The number of people in the European workforce aged between 55-64 will increase by one third in the next 20 years, growing from 15% to 20%. The number of work days lost by people in this age with rheumatoid arthritis alone represents 20% of all absences. It is therefore important to identify cost-effective treatments that improve the well-being of older people with chronic inflammatory disease and to enable their continued participation in working economy. Our goal was to develop new compounds, explore their potency and protect emerging IP, to grow the economic position of the SME and develop researchers. The knowledge economy is one of Europe's leading strengths. To grow this capability we need to promote the exchange of ideas. Through the RISE scheme we have successfully delivered training, knowledge transfer and skills exchange between partners and early career researchers. The challenges that we are addressed were balanced between industrial application and basic science, with a focus on knowledge transfer and drug re-purposing. We conclude that; 1. Novel NOX2 activators are potent inflammatory modulators in primary immune cells. 2. Novel NOX2 activators are effective in disease management in animal models of autoimmune disease. 3. The downstream pathways of NOX2 activator effects on T cells predominantly feature calcium channels. 4. ROS regulate T cell- and neutrophil inflammatory activity. 5. A strengthened academic-industrial relationship has been achieved that has led to a further collaborative project starting in 2020, NeutroCure, that will develop and apply a new class of ROS generators for chronic autoimmune disease. Early career researcher skills have been advanced through embedding new skills, expertise and knowledge transfer in individuals and the collaborator organisations. 6. Innovations have been disseminated within Europe through presentations and worldwide through publications

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