Grant: Project Grant

Inflammation is controlled by several families of proteins that assemble in large clusters when they are activated. Because this assembly is very much like a "chain reaction" it needs to be controlled at a molecular level, otherwise these clusters would precipitate into massive aggregates that could be toxic for cells. Indeed, it is known that cells need to avoid the formation of large protein aggregates, as evidenced by the pathological accumulation of those in neurodegenerative disorders. We have identified the mechanism by which these protein complexes are regulated. This leads us to hypothesize that this process is critical for the regulation of inflammation and host defense against infection. We will test this in vitro, in mouse models and in cells from patients suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn's disease or auto-inflammatory syndromes named CAPS. Our research could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against infectious and inflammatory diseases