Study of the role of mitochondrial dynamics in the activation of macrophages

• Grant number: 21/01420-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology
• Agreement: Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Manoel Mendes de Moraes Vieira
• Grantee: Wilias Greison Silva Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/19435-3 - The role of DNA damage and mitochondrial function in vascular, immune and neurological ageing (DNA MoVINg), AP.TEM

Abstract

Immunometabolism emerged as a new frontier of knowledge in search of integration between the historically distinct disciplines of Metabolism and Immunology. Within this context, mitochondria play a central role. Mitochondria are constantly adapting their morphology to meet the cell's energy requirements. This process is regulated either by elongation (fusion) or fragmentation of mitochondria (fission). While fusion is related to a higher rate of oxygen consumption and an alternatively activated profile, fission is both related to the intracellular transport of this organelle as well as to greater mitochondrial dysfunction and production of reactive oxygen species. However, how the mitochondrial dynamics modulates the activation of macrophages is not yet fully elucidated. Thus, we aim to determine how changes in the machinery that regulates mitochondrial dynamics modulate macrophage activation. (AU)