Project acronym ACE-OF-SPACE
Project Analysis, control, and engineering of spatiotemporal pattern formation
Researcher (PI) Patrick MueLLER
Host Institution (HI) MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Country Germany
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS3, ERC-2019-COG
Summary A central problem in developmental biology is to understand how tissues are patterned in time and space - how do identical cells differentiate to form the adult body plan? Patterns often arise from prior asymmetries in developing embryos, but there is also increasing evidence for self-organizing mechanisms that can break the symmetry of an initially homogeneous cell population. These patterning processes are mediated by a small number of signaling molecules, including the TGF-β superfamily members BMP and Nodal. While we have begun to analyze how biophysical properties such as signal diffusion and stability contribute to axis formation and tissue allocation during vertebrate embryogenesis, three key questions remain. First, how does signaling cross-talk control robust patterning in developing tissues? Opposing sources of Nodal and BMP are sufficient to produce secondary zebrafish axes, but it is unclear how the signals interact to orchestrate this mysterious process. Second, how do signaling systems self-organize to pattern tissues in the absence of prior asymmetries? Recent evidence indicates that axis formation in mammalian embryos is independent of maternal and extra-embryonic tissues, but the mechanism underlying this self-organized patterning is unknown. Third, what are the minimal requirements to engineer synthetic self-organizing systems? Our theoretical analyses suggest that self-organizing reaction-diffusion systems are more common and robust than previously thought, but this has so far not been experimentally demonstrated. We will address these questions in zebrafish embryos, mouse embryonic stem cells, and bacterial colonies using a combination of quantitative imaging, optogenetics, mathematical modeling, and synthetic biology. In addition to providing insights into signaling and development, this high-risk/high-gain approach opens exciting new strategies for tissue engineering by providing asymmetric or temporally regulated signaling in organ precursors.
Summary
A central problem in developmental biology is to understand how tissues are patterned in time and space - how do identical cells differentiate to form the adult body plan? Patterns often arise from prior asymmetries in developing embryos, but there is also increasing evidence for self-organizing mechanisms that can break the symmetry of an initially homogeneous cell population. These patterning processes are mediated by a small number of signaling molecules, including the TGF-β superfamily members BMP and Nodal. While we have begun to analyze how biophysical properties such as signal diffusion and stability contribute to axis formation and tissue allocation during vertebrate embryogenesis, three key questions remain. First, how does signaling cross-talk control robust patterning in developing tissues? Opposing sources of Nodal and BMP are sufficient to produce secondary zebrafish axes, but it is unclear how the signals interact to orchestrate this mysterious process. Second, how do signaling systems self-organize to pattern tissues in the absence of prior asymmetries? Recent evidence indicates that axis formation in mammalian embryos is independent of maternal and extra-embryonic tissues, but the mechanism underlying this self-organized patterning is unknown. Third, what are the minimal requirements to engineer synthetic self-organizing systems? Our theoretical analyses suggest that self-organizing reaction-diffusion systems are more common and robust than previously thought, but this has so far not been experimentally demonstrated. We will address these questions in zebrafish embryos, mouse embryonic stem cells, and bacterial colonies using a combination of quantitative imaging, optogenetics, mathematical modeling, and synthetic biology. In addition to providing insights into signaling and development, this high-risk/high-gain approach opens exciting new strategies for tissue engineering by providing asymmetric or temporally regulated signaling in organ precursors.
Max ERC Funding
1 997 750 €
Duration
Start date: 2020-07-01, End date: 2025-06-30
Project acronym ALK7
Project Metabolic control by the TGF-² superfamily receptor ALK7: A novel regulator of insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance
Researcher (PI) Carlos Ibanez
Host Institution (HI) KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
Country Sweden
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS4, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The aim of this proposal is to understand a novel regulatory signaling network controlling insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance centered around selected components of the TGF-² signaling system, including Activins A and B, GDF-3 and their receptors ALK7 and ALK4. Recent results from my laboratory indicate that these molecules are part of paracrine signaling networks that control important functions in pancreatic islets and adipose tissue through feedback inhibition and feed-forward regulation. These discoveries have open up a new research area with important implications for the understanding of metabolic networks and the treatment of human metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes and obesity.
To drive progress in this new research area beyond the state-of-the-art it is proposed to: i) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Activins regulate Ca2+ influx and insulin secretion in pancreatic ²-cells; ii) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of GDF-3 on adipocyte metabolism, turnover and fat accumulation; iii) Investigate the interplay between insulin levels and fat deposition in the development of insulin resistance using mutant mice lacking Activin B and GDF-3; iv) Investigate tissue-specific contributions of ALK7 and ALK4 signaling to metabolic control by generating and characterizing conditional mutant mice; v) Investigate the effects of specific and reversible inactivation of ALK7 and ALK4 on metabolic regulation using a novel chemical-genetic approach based on analog-sensitive alleles.
This is research of a high-gain/high-risk nature. It is posed to open unique opportunities for further exploration of complex metabolic networks. The development of drugs capable of enhancing insulin secretion, limiting fat accumulation and ameliorating diet-induced obesity by targeting components of the ALK7 signaling network will find a strong rationale in the results of the proposed work.
Summary
The aim of this proposal is to understand a novel regulatory signaling network controlling insulin secretion, fat accumulation and energy balance centered around selected components of the TGF-² signaling system, including Activins A and B, GDF-3 and their receptors ALK7 and ALK4. Recent results from my laboratory indicate that these molecules are part of paracrine signaling networks that control important functions in pancreatic islets and adipose tissue through feedback inhibition and feed-forward regulation. These discoveries have open up a new research area with important implications for the understanding of metabolic networks and the treatment of human metabolic syndromes, such as diabetes and obesity.
To drive progress in this new research area beyond the state-of-the-art it is proposed to: i) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Activins regulate Ca2+ influx and insulin secretion in pancreatic ²-cells; ii) Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of GDF-3 on adipocyte metabolism, turnover and fat accumulation; iii) Investigate the interplay between insulin levels and fat deposition in the development of insulin resistance using mutant mice lacking Activin B and GDF-3; iv) Investigate tissue-specific contributions of ALK7 and ALK4 signaling to metabolic control by generating and characterizing conditional mutant mice; v) Investigate the effects of specific and reversible inactivation of ALK7 and ALK4 on metabolic regulation using a novel chemical-genetic approach based on analog-sensitive alleles.
This is research of a high-gain/high-risk nature. It is posed to open unique opportunities for further exploration of complex metabolic networks. The development of drugs capable of enhancing insulin secretion, limiting fat accumulation and ameliorating diet-induced obesity by targeting components of the ALK7 signaling network will find a strong rationale in the results of the proposed work.
Max ERC Funding
2 462 154 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-04-01, End date: 2014-03-31
Project acronym CYTRIX
Project Engineering Cytokines for Super-Affinity Binding to Matrix in Regenerative Medicine
Researcher (PI) Jeffrey Alan Hubbell
Host Institution (HI) ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Country Switzerland
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary In physiological situations, the extracellular matrix (ECM) sequesters cytokines, localizes them, and modulates their signaling. Thus, physiological signaling from cytokines occurs primarily when the cytokines are interacting with the ECM. In therapeutic use of cytokines, however, this interaction and balance have not been respected; rather the growth factors are merely injected or applied as soluble molecules, perhaps in controlled release forms. This has led to modest efficacy and substantial concerns on safety. Here, we will develop a protein engineering design for second-generation cytokines to lead to their super-affinity binding to ECM molecules in the targeted tissues; this would allow application to a tissue site to yield a tight association with ECM molecules there, turning the tissue itself into a reservoir for cytokine sequestration and presentation. To accomplish this, we have undertaken preliminary work screening a library of cytokines for extraordinarily high affinity binding to a library of ECM molecules. We have thereby identified a small peptide domain within placental growth factor-2 (PlGF-2), namely PlGF-2123-144, that displays super-affinity for a number of ECM proteins. Also in preliminary work, we have demonstrated that recombinant fusion of this domain to low-affinity binding cytokines, namely VEGF-A, PDGF-BB and BMP-2, confers super-affinity binding to ECM molecules and accentuates their functionality in vivo in regenerative medicine models. In the proposed project, based on this preliminary data, we will push forward this protein engineering design, pursuing super-affinity variants of VEGF-A and PDGF-BB in chronic wounds, TGF-beta3 and CXCL11 in skin scar reduction, FGF-18 in osteoarthritic cartilage repair and CXCL12 in stem cell recruitment to ischemic cardiac muscle. Thus, we seek to demonstrate a fundamentally new concept and platform for second-generation growth factor protein engineering.
Summary
In physiological situations, the extracellular matrix (ECM) sequesters cytokines, localizes them, and modulates their signaling. Thus, physiological signaling from cytokines occurs primarily when the cytokines are interacting with the ECM. In therapeutic use of cytokines, however, this interaction and balance have not been respected; rather the growth factors are merely injected or applied as soluble molecules, perhaps in controlled release forms. This has led to modest efficacy and substantial concerns on safety. Here, we will develop a protein engineering design for second-generation cytokines to lead to their super-affinity binding to ECM molecules in the targeted tissues; this would allow application to a tissue site to yield a tight association with ECM molecules there, turning the tissue itself into a reservoir for cytokine sequestration and presentation. To accomplish this, we have undertaken preliminary work screening a library of cytokines for extraordinarily high affinity binding to a library of ECM molecules. We have thereby identified a small peptide domain within placental growth factor-2 (PlGF-2), namely PlGF-2123-144, that displays super-affinity for a number of ECM proteins. Also in preliminary work, we have demonstrated that recombinant fusion of this domain to low-affinity binding cytokines, namely VEGF-A, PDGF-BB and BMP-2, confers super-affinity binding to ECM molecules and accentuates their functionality in vivo in regenerative medicine models. In the proposed project, based on this preliminary data, we will push forward this protein engineering design, pursuing super-affinity variants of VEGF-A and PDGF-BB in chronic wounds, TGF-beta3 and CXCL11 in skin scar reduction, FGF-18 in osteoarthritic cartilage repair and CXCL12 in stem cell recruitment to ischemic cardiac muscle. Thus, we seek to demonstrate a fundamentally new concept and platform for second-generation growth factor protein engineering.
Max ERC Funding
2 368 170 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-05-01, End date: 2019-04-30
Project acronym GLIOMA
Project Molecular Mechanisms of Glioma Genesis and Progression
Researcher (PI) Joan Seoane
Host Institution (HI) FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT D'INVESTIGACIO ONCOLOGICA DE VALL-HEBRON (VHIO)
Country Spain
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS6, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Glioma is the most common and aggressive tumour of the brain and its most malignant form, glioblastoma multiforme, is nowadays virtually not curable. Very little is known about glioma genesis and progression at the molecular level and not much progress has been achieved in the treatment of this disease during the last years. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the biology of glioma is essential for the development of successful and rational therapeutic strategies. Our project aims to: 1- Study the role of the TGF-beta, Shh, Notch, and Wnt signal transduction pathways in glioma. These pathways have been implicated in glioma but still not much is known about their specific mechanisms of action. 2- Study of a cell population within the tumour mass that has stem-cell-like characteristics, the glioma stem cells, and how the four mentioned pathways regulate their biology. 3- Study the role of a transcription factor, FoxG1, that has an important oncogenic role in some gliomas and that it is regulated by the four mentioned pathways interconnecting some of them. Our approach will be based on a tight collaboration with clinical researchers of our hospital and the study of patient-derived tumours. We will analyse human biopsies, generate primary cultures of human tumour cells, isolate the stem-cell-like population of patient-derived gliomas and generate mouse models for glioma based on the orthotopical inoculation of human glioma stem cells in the mouse brain to generate tumours with the same characteristics as the original human tumour. In addition, we will also study genetically modified mouse models and established cell lines. We expect that our results will help understand the biology of glioma and cancer, and we aspire to translate our discoveries to a more clinical ambit identifying molecular markers of diagnosis and prognosis, markers of response to therapies, and unveil new therapeutic targets against this deadly disease.
Summary
Glioma is the most common and aggressive tumour of the brain and its most malignant form, glioblastoma multiforme, is nowadays virtually not curable. Very little is known about glioma genesis and progression at the molecular level and not much progress has been achieved in the treatment of this disease during the last years. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the biology of glioma is essential for the development of successful and rational therapeutic strategies. Our project aims to: 1- Study the role of the TGF-beta, Shh, Notch, and Wnt signal transduction pathways in glioma. These pathways have been implicated in glioma but still not much is known about their specific mechanisms of action. 2- Study of a cell population within the tumour mass that has stem-cell-like characteristics, the glioma stem cells, and how the four mentioned pathways regulate their biology. 3- Study the role of a transcription factor, FoxG1, that has an important oncogenic role in some gliomas and that it is regulated by the four mentioned pathways interconnecting some of them. Our approach will be based on a tight collaboration with clinical researchers of our hospital and the study of patient-derived tumours. We will analyse human biopsies, generate primary cultures of human tumour cells, isolate the stem-cell-like population of patient-derived gliomas and generate mouse models for glioma based on the orthotopical inoculation of human glioma stem cells in the mouse brain to generate tumours with the same characteristics as the original human tumour. In addition, we will also study genetically modified mouse models and established cell lines. We expect that our results will help understand the biology of glioma and cancer, and we aspire to translate our discoveries to a more clinical ambit identifying molecular markers of diagnosis and prognosis, markers of response to therapies, and unveil new therapeutic targets against this deadly disease.
Max ERC Funding
1 566 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-08-01, End date: 2014-07-31
Project acronym RESCARF
Project Renal stem cells: possible role in kidney pathologies and as new theraputic tools
Researcher (PI) Paola Romagnani
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
Country Italy
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS6, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 11% of the adult population and is considered by the WHO as one of the health emergencies of the 21st century. Although cell therapy might be beneficial for CKD, human stem cells that might be used to improve kidney function were so far unknown. Recently, we demonstrated the existence of resident stem cells in the urinary pole of the Bowman’s capsule of adult human kidney and therefore named as adult parietal epithelial multipotent progenitors (APEMP). Injection of APEMP in SCID mice affected by acute renal failure, induced regeneration of tubular structures and reduced morphological and functional kidney damage. More recently, we found that APEMP are highly represented in embryonic kidneys and constitute the common progenitor of tubular cells and podocytes. The first aim of this project is to assess the regenerative properties of APEMP in in vivo models of glomerular injury and their potential use as a novel therapeutic tool to prevent the deterioration of kidney function in chronic renal failure. Second, we will try to identify the mechanisms that regulate the growth, survival, differentiation, and migration of APEMP, which is critical to set up cell therapies of renal injury which should be effective and safe. To this end, the role of different molecular pathways such as Sonic hedgehog, Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch, TGF-beta/BMP and of CXCR4, CXCR7 or CXCR3-B chemokine receptors in the regenerative activity of APEMP will be investigated. Third, to assess whether APEMP directly contribute to kidney regeneration after glomerular or tubular damage, transgenic animals in which APEMP are genetically tagged will be generated. Fourth, by using transgenic animals we will try to understand if an alteration of APEMP growth and/or differentiation is implicated in the pathogenesis of some renal disorders that frequently progress towards end stage renal disease.
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 11% of the adult population and is considered by the WHO as one of the health emergencies of the 21st century. Although cell therapy might be beneficial for CKD, human stem cells that might be used to improve kidney function were so far unknown. Recently, we demonstrated the existence of resident stem cells in the urinary pole of the Bowman’s capsule of adult human kidney and therefore named as adult parietal epithelial multipotent progenitors (APEMP). Injection of APEMP in SCID mice affected by acute renal failure, induced regeneration of tubular structures and reduced morphological and functional kidney damage. More recently, we found that APEMP are highly represented in embryonic kidneys and constitute the common progenitor of tubular cells and podocytes. The first aim of this project is to assess the regenerative properties of APEMP in in vivo models of glomerular injury and their potential use as a novel therapeutic tool to prevent the deterioration of kidney function in chronic renal failure. Second, we will try to identify the mechanisms that regulate the growth, survival, differentiation, and migration of APEMP, which is critical to set up cell therapies of renal injury which should be effective and safe. To this end, the role of different molecular pathways such as Sonic hedgehog, Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch, TGF-beta/BMP and of CXCR4, CXCR7 or CXCR3-B chemokine receptors in the regenerative activity of APEMP will be investigated. Third, to assess whether APEMP directly contribute to kidney regeneration after glomerular or tubular damage, transgenic animals in which APEMP are genetically tagged will be generated. Fourth, by using transgenic animals we will try to understand if an alteration of APEMP growth and/or differentiation is implicated in the pathogenesis of some renal disorders that frequently progress towards end stage renal disease.
Max ERC Funding
820 200 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-10-01, End date: 2012-09-30
Project acronym TARG-SUP
Project Targeting TGF-β activation, likely the core mechanism of immunosuppression by human regulatory T cells.
Researcher (PI) Sophie Elizabeth J. Lucas
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
Country Belgium
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS6, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) inhibit immune responses and are required to maintain immune tolerance. Tregs express membrane protein GARP, which displays latent TGF-β1 on the cell surface. Immunosuppression by human Tregs appears to require GARP-mediated activation of TGF-β1.
My objectives are to unravel the molecular aspects of TGF-β1 activation by GARP and determine the functional importance of this process in physiological and pathological conditions where Tregs or other GARP-expressing cells are present. As this implies the development of new tools to modulate GARP-dependent TGF-β1 activation and Treg immunosuppression, we will also explore their potential for the treatment of immune-related human diseases, and notably cancer.
More specifically, I will:
- Derive antibodies that modulate GARP-mediated TGF-β1 production by human Tregs and perform structural analyses in the presence of these antibodies to identify tri-dimensional changes in GARP/TGF-β1 complexes that lead to the release of active TGF-β1.
- Identify and characterize additional proteins implicated in TGF-β1 activation by human Tregs, as GARP is required but not sufficient for TGF-β1 activation by Tregs.
- Determine the immunological and clinical impact of inhibitory anti-GARP mAbs on cancer in mice. We will derive anti-murine GARP mAbs. As an alternative, we will generate mutant mice expressing a chimeric mouse/human GARP that is recognized by anti-human GARP mAbs. The antibodies will be tested in tumour-bearing mice treated or not with other immunotherapies including vaccines or immunostimulatory antibodies.
- Determine whether blocking anti-GARP mAbs improve immune responses to microbial vaccines or to chronic infections, as these represent important applications for transient inhibition of Treg activity in humans.
- Analyse the expression and roles of GARP in non-Treg cells to better understand GARP functions, which remain largely unknown, and predict potential toxicities of anti-GARP mAbs.
Summary
Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) inhibit immune responses and are required to maintain immune tolerance. Tregs express membrane protein GARP, which displays latent TGF-β1 on the cell surface. Immunosuppression by human Tregs appears to require GARP-mediated activation of TGF-β1.
My objectives are to unravel the molecular aspects of TGF-β1 activation by GARP and determine the functional importance of this process in physiological and pathological conditions where Tregs or other GARP-expressing cells are present. As this implies the development of new tools to modulate GARP-dependent TGF-β1 activation and Treg immunosuppression, we will also explore their potential for the treatment of immune-related human diseases, and notably cancer.
More specifically, I will:
- Derive antibodies that modulate GARP-mediated TGF-β1 production by human Tregs and perform structural analyses in the presence of these antibodies to identify tri-dimensional changes in GARP/TGF-β1 complexes that lead to the release of active TGF-β1.
- Identify and characterize additional proteins implicated in TGF-β1 activation by human Tregs, as GARP is required but not sufficient for TGF-β1 activation by Tregs.
- Determine the immunological and clinical impact of inhibitory anti-GARP mAbs on cancer in mice. We will derive anti-murine GARP mAbs. As an alternative, we will generate mutant mice expressing a chimeric mouse/human GARP that is recognized by anti-human GARP mAbs. The antibodies will be tested in tumour-bearing mice treated or not with other immunotherapies including vaccines or immunostimulatory antibodies.
- Determine whether blocking anti-GARP mAbs improve immune responses to microbial vaccines or to chronic infections, as these represent important applications for transient inhibition of Treg activity in humans.
- Analyse the expression and roles of GARP in non-Treg cells to better understand GARP functions, which remain largely unknown, and predict potential toxicities of anti-GARP mAbs.
Max ERC Funding
1 993 125 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-04-01, End date: 2021-03-31
