EPIMemory
Financiado
Epithelial Memory to Candida albicans during commensalism and infection
In this research project I seek to discover the mechanisms underlying oral epithelial cell (OEC) memory and its importance to control Candida albicans infections and commensalism. C. albicans is part of the healthy microbiota, but...
In this research project I seek to discover the mechanisms underlying oral epithelial cell (OEC) memory and its importance to control Candida albicans infections and commensalism. C. albicans is part of the healthy microbiota, but it is also the most clinically relevant fungus. Fine tuning of mucosal immunity enables homeostasis and regulates commensal-to-pathogen transition of C. albicans. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, can develop long-term responses during systemic infections, enabling them to clear invading microbes more efficiently. This so-called process of innate immune memory can be targeted in order to improve patient outcomes. However, at the oral mucosa, where immune cells are more scarce, OECs are essential for controlling fungal growth and orchestrating complex immune responses. Whilst OEC-C. albicans interactions have been well analysed during acute infections, no study up to date has addressed epithelial memory or its impact on fighting fungal infections and regulating Candida commensalism.
The aim of this project is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving epithelial memory in response to C. albicans. In preliminary in vitro studies, I have shown that epithelial memory protects OECs from C. albicans and therefore, I hypothesised that this phenomenon control fungal growth during pathogenesis and homeostasis. I will use advanced models of host-microbe interactions to confirm the importance of epithelial memory for clearing infections and whether it promotes fungal commensalism by regulating microbial growth. I will decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms by analysing gene expression and metabolic profiles of memory cells, and identify potential targets that promote homeostasis at the oral mucosa.
This project will yield novel insights into mucosal fungal immunology, essential knowledge to further comprehend how out body interacts with the microbiota and to identify targets to advance in the treatment of candidiasis.
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Duración del proyecto: 27 meses
Fecha Inicio: 2024-03-22
Fecha Fin: 2026-06-30
Fecha Fin: 2026-06-30
Línea de financiación: concedida
El organismo HORIZON EUROPE notifico la concesión del proyecto el día 2024-03-22
HORIZON EUROPE
No se conoce la línea exacta de financiación, pero conocemos el organismo encargado de la revisión del proyecto.
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