Monitoring innate immunity an arthritis and mucosal inflammation (MIAMI)

Grunddaten zu diesem Projekt

Beschreibung

In chronic joint disease, only a subgroup of patients has classical autoantibodies, while the other variants are seronegative arthritis syndromes with a predominance of innate immune disturbances. These forms of joint diseases frequently show extra-articular manifestations of epithelial tissues like skin and gut. On the molecular level, innate immune activation and the release of damage associated molecular pattern proteins (DAMPs) of the S100 family are important mechanisms of initiation and perpetuation. Early diagnosis remains a significant problem, and prediction of disease extension and course is challenging. Despite all efforts we do not have therapies that alleviate the disease and protect from disease progression, damage and long-term disability. The identification of specific inflammatory mechanisms that correlate to patterns of disease characteristics would allow targeted therapeutic approaches. In a comprehensive research approach, MIAMI will establish relevant disease mechanisms and translate finding into novel biomarkers for individual adaptation of therapies (personalised medicine) for seronegative arthritis. Our research strategy leaves retracted ways of genetics and classical autoimmunity; instead we will focus on innate immunity and inflammation. The goals of MIAMI are ambitious and will be reached with cutting-edge research performed by the most excellent researchers in the field, who have been combined to form a multidisciplinary consortium. The choice of the scientific as well as industry partners was entirely based on excellence. Thus, MIAMI brings together the leading teams that are working on mechanisms of innate immunity in arthritis and mucosal inflammation. In summary, MIAMI will significantly contribute to progress on the key questions: Who will be affected by which disease manifestation or complication, how can we use this knowledge to identify the disease, and what will be a meaningful target to treat or even prevent deleterious outcome