Workpackage number 5 (WP5)
Leader: UFC (Prof. T. Fulop)
Cell triggering and signal transduction
Participants: UFC, UNIFI
Objectives:
WP5 addresses the mechanisms of cell-cycle, proliferation, cell-death and some signal transduction pathways in the maintenance of good immune cell function in ageing and the role played by nutritional zinc in this maintenance in order to reach healthy longevity. In particular, proteins involved in cell-cycle regulation and cellular proliferation and apoptosis, including mitochondrial function, in lymphocytes from donors of various ages, including centenarians, and ill old patients under oxidative or nitrosative (NO) stress in the presence of varying concentrations of zinc ions will be investigated. The role played by JAK/STAT signalling pathway will be studied in relation to in vitro and in vivo zinc supplementation.