0-TESTO COMPLETO.pdf - Fondazione Santa Lucia

ISS.17 – Biomarkers and diagnosis
which will aid the clinical and radiological assessment of MS. The data
obtained will represent the basis for scientific publications. The project will
improve the knowledge of how EBV interacts with the host to produce the
pathological lesions typical of MS. The data will be available at the end of the
study, and will be integrated with all data produced by other groups joining
the project. Therefore, this joined effort will shed light on mechanisms
exploited by EBV to settle in the MS brain. The expected findings could also
help define MS-specific biomarkers. The development of molecular markers
for MS diagnosis responds to the need of obtaining biological parameters that
support the clinical and radiological investigations. Furthermore, the starting
material for such analysis is constituted of peripheral blood mononuclear
cells and/or whole blood, which are easily accessible sources of biological
material by non-invasive samplings. Therefore this project will have a strong
impact on the global economic burden for MS.
OUTPUT(S) OF THE PROJECT
1) Proteomic, genomic, and cytomic analysis on total lymphocytes and
on lymphocyte subsets obtained from blood and CSF of MS patients: (a)
identification of proteins and genes associated with the EBV response in MS
patients (month 18); (b) definition of the cellular populations involved in the
EBV response in MS patients (month 18); (c) definition of parameters indicating
oxidative stress in serum and CSF of MS patients and their relation to
the EBV response (month 18); (d) Description of the gene signatures specific
for the clinically isolated syndromes and different clinical forms of MS
(month 15); (e) Identification of molecular and functional indicators of the
different phases of the disease to be used as biomarkers of MS (month 18);
f) Identification of phenotypic and functional alterations of leukocyte populations
involved in EBV-induced inflammation (month 18).
2) Study of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of the identified biomarkers:
(a) Set up of molecular tests for validated biomarkers (month 20);
(b) Evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of selected biomarkers
(month 24); (c) Validation of the obtained biomarkers in the clinical follow-up
of a new cohort of MS patients (month 24).
3) Organization of a network for the study of CSF samples available in
the clinical centers included in the strategic programme.
4) Publications on international peer-reviewed journals (month 24).
5) One work-in-progress Meeting (12 months).
TIMETABLE OF THE PROJECT
The integration of the different techniques employed and the availability
of well established biomolecular expertise in the units of the network is a key
feature of this proposal. Strategic meetings at the beginning of each phase
between all the units participating to the project will be organized in order to
carry out exploitation and dissemination of the results within the network.
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