The Nencki Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences has established a research collaboration with the MEK2 Research Foundation, an organization uniting families of patients affected by ultra-rare progressive cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome type 4 (CFC4), a condition impacting the heart, brain, skin, and overall development, for which there is currently no known treatment. This disease is caused by a mutation in the MAP2K2 gene (also known as MEK2) and belongs to a group of disorders known as RASopathies, which are driven by alterations in genes regulating the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. Currently, there is no causal treatment for CFC4; clinical management is restricted solely to the treatment or mitigation of certain symptoms. The pathomechanisms underlying this rare disease remain poorly understood, and consequently, potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers associated with its broad spectrum of abnormalities have yet to be identified. Researchers and clinicians are working intensively to gain a deeper understanding of this disease and to develop potential targeted therapies. The Nencki Institute is joining a comprehensive research initiative aimed at establishing priority directions for studies on CFC4 syndrome and disorders associated with MEK2 mutations.

Research at the Nencki Institute will be conducted by two teams: the Laboratory of Cytometry, headed by Prof. Katarzyna Piwocka, and the Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, headed by Prof. Mariusz Więckowski. The planned studies will determine how the mutation in the MAP2K2 gene affects not only the RAS/MAPK signalling pathway but also immune landscape, inflammation including neuroinflammation and cellular metabolism. Ultimately, this extensive research project will broaden our knowledge and provide a deeper understanding of the CFC4 pathomechanism. We hope that these efforts will contribute to the identification of the most promising research avenues leading toward the development of advanced therapeutics and diagnostics.

Foundation website:  https://mek2research.org
Link to Prof. Piwocka's Laboratory website: https://piwocka-lab.nencki.edu.pl
Link to Prof. Więckowski's Laboratory website: https://wieckowski-mitolab.nencki.edu.pl