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HEDoctoral network2022–2026

CHANGE · Cellular Homeostasis ANd AGing in Connective TissuE Disorders

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-09-01 → 2026-08-31
EU contribution
€2,692,174
Participants
15
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Cellular Homeostasis ANd AGing in Connective TissuE Disorders

The increased longevity in developed countries is a reality that the national health systems need to face since not necessarily longer lifespan is associated with the amelioration of health and quality of life. Furthermore, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative failure present in elderly are also described in several early-onset hereditary connective tissue (CT) disorders. Thus, such disorders represent a powerful tool for the molecular investigation of age-related pathologies due to the specific genetic disturbance of cellular homeostasis. The overall objective of CHANGE is to define the molecular pathways in genetic disorders of cartilage, bone, muscle and vasculature that represent premature signature of common late onset ageing diseases. This will identify drivers of the ageing and disease process to develop innovative prognostic and/or diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic approaches. By using molecularly well-characterized CT diseases CHANGE aims: 1. to combine several cutting edge techniques to deeply phenotype in vitro and in vivo models of rare CT disorders, associated to signs of premature ageing affecting tissues/organs severely compromised in frailty and specific common age-related disorders; 2. to combine molecular, biochemical and imaging data to identify age-related changes in signalling and gene expression that are linked to and/or explain the observed precocious ageing defects associated with early onset CT diseases; 3. to exploit the acquired knowledge of cellular- and patho-biology to define the molecular pathways compromised during ageing with the aim to pursue drug targetable molecules for amelioration of cartilage, bone, muscle and vascular health.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The increased longevity in developed countries not necessarily goes hand in hand with amelioration of health and quality of life. Musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative failure are not only hallmarks of the physical and cognitive decline in elderly people, but also represent common traits in several early-onset hereditary connective tissue (CT) disorders. These disorders represent a unique tool for the molecular investigation of such age-related pathologies due to the specific genetic disturbance of cellular homeostasis. The scientific objectives of CHANGE are: (i) to investigate CT disorders to identify key pathways responsible for age-related decline of physiological functions, being aware of gender differences (ii) to learn more about the interdependency of these pathways leading to stereotypic cellular responses including cellular senescence. This knowledge will pave the way for developing innovative treatment strategies for common diseases and frailty associated with ageing. To this end, we will train and establish a network of 10 highly-skilled doctoral candidates (DC) equipped with scientific expertise, transferable skills and societal and environment awareness as a foundation for their future careers. To succeed, CHANGE has built a unique and multidisciplinary network of 7 renowned academic partners and 5 companies (including 2 non-academics as associated partners) working together to train 10 young scientists. The DC network will address the basic biology of ageing from an interdisciplinary perspective, by deeply investigating CT diseases to uncover the pillars of ageing and its multi-systemic signatures. Altogether, CHANGE will provide an integrative map of cellular/extracellular consequences of age-related changes in cartilage, bone, muscle and vasculature as consequences to precocious disease exposure.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA · PaviaCoordinatorItaly
  • ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE LYON · LyonFrance
  • EPSA INNOVATION FRANCE · ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUXFrance
  • EVERCYTE GMBH · WIENAustria
  • IMAGINE INSTITUT DES MALADIES GENETIQUES NECKER ENFANTS MALADES FONDATION · ParisFrance
  • JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN · Frankfurt Am MainGermany
  • LIFETEC GROUP BV · EINDHOVENNetherlands
  • MEDETIA SAS · PARISFrance
  • SCIOMICS GMBH · NECKARGEMUNDGermany
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA · PadovaItaly
  • UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN · WienAustria
  • UNIVERSITE LYON 1 CLAUDE BERNARD · Villeurbanne CedexFrance
  • UNIVERSITE PARIS CITE · ParisFrance
  • UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW · GlasgowUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE · Newcastle Upon TyneUnited Kingdom

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union