TLRS IN MS · Therapeutic targeting of the innate immune system in multiple sclerosis
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2007-03-01 → 2009-02-28
- EU contribution
- €80,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- EIF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - TLRS IN MS (Therapeutic targeting of the innate immune system in multiple sclerosis)
There were two main components of the study that ran in parallel: a Workpackage in the animal model of disease (WP1) and a Workpackage on human immune cells obtained from patients with MS and healthy control subjects (WP2). The goals of WP1 have been achieved by the identification of TLR agonists that are promising for their potential to suppress disease. The stimulation of some particular Toll-like receptors (TLRs, 'innate' immune receptors on which the research project focused) has been identified as promising, in particular the stimulation of TLR7 and TLR3. At the end of the phase of the project funded by the Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant (month 24 of the project), the planned goals of WP2 have been achieved by obtaining initial data in human immune cells (mainly dendritic cells NK cells) which will be further tested in the remaining 12 months of the project (not funded by the IRG) in view of future clinical trials.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is neurological disease that is characterized by clinical attacks of paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of vision, and genito-urinary symptoms. MS affects an estimated 500 000 patients in Europe, at a cost to Europe of over 9 billion euro per annum, and is the most frequent cause of neurological disability in young adults. Women are affected approximately twice as often as men.The mechanisms of disease are thought to involve a reaction of the immune system against components of the brain and spinal cord (autoimmune disease). MS is currently treated with drugs that regulate the immune system. Of these, the most frequently used is Interferon-beta (IFNb), a molecule that was initially discovered for its antiviral properties and was subsequently found to be immunomodulating. The technology for the production and purification of recombinant IFNb significantly contributes to the healthcare cost. IFNb can be produced in large amounts by the human immune system, particularly during viral infections.The innate immune system has the capacity to recognise structural components that are shared by viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents, via cell surface molecules called Toll-like receptors (TLR). In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, we have successfully treated the disease by administering TLR ligands and inducing endogenous IFNb and related molecules. In this translational research project, we are planning to transfer this treatment strategy to MS patients. The overall objective of this project is to make therapeutic use of the innate immune system's ability to produce endogenous interferons, cytokines, and chemokines in MS.TLR agonists will be developed for clinical testing, with the expected benefits to the European Union being:a) a novel strategy for MS treatment;b) a significant reduction in treatment costs; and c) improved quality of life for MS sufferers.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · NOTTINGHAMCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union