TIMER project outline
Resolution of inflammation as a route to new treatments
TargetIng novel MEchanisms of Resolution in inflammation
The TIMER consortium identifies and validates new molecules involved in the resolution of inflammation, as a basis for innovative therapeutic strategies in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Resolution of inflammation is a key determinant of pathology and an active process that involves diverse pathways and molecules. The general objective of the consortium is to identify and validate new molecules involved in the resolution of inflammation, as a basis for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The project involves discovery of new natural or synthetic proresolving molecules from plants and animals, and investigation of endogenous inflammation proresolving mechanisms identified by various consortium partners, including atypical chemokine receptors, decoy receptors and microRNA. Tapping the resources of natural compounds is a major thrust.
Efforts are mainly focused on the regulation by proresolving agents of two molecular systems of key relevance in inflammation: the chemokine system, which regulates recruitment, permanence and egress of leukocytes in tissues; and the TLR / IL 1R system, which is central for the activation of infiltrating leukocytes.
To this purpose the project builds on, and brings added value to, a strong tradition of the consortium in leukocyte recruitment and activation; negative regulators of inflammation; industrial and academic collaboration; identification and characterisation of innovative inhibitors of natural origin; and European and Brazilian collaboration.
Two molecular systems, one natural product search
Controls recruitment, permanence and egress of leukocytes in tissues.
Central to the activation of infiltrating leukocytes.
Natural or synthetic proresolving molecules from plants and animals.
This project is supported through Coordination Theme 1 (Health) of the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme. Grant agreement number HEALTH F4 2011 281608.