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 Professor
Tufts University School of Medicine
136 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-636-6866
Fax: 617-636-2456
Email: Theoharis.Theoharides@Tufts.edu
Dr.Theoharides Molecular immunopharmacology &
Drug Discovery Laboratory
Allergy Unit Attikon Hospital-Athens University
Research Interests:
Dr. Theoharides has ongoing research interests in four related areas:
(a) molecular events involved in mast cell stimulus-response coupling
in allergic reactions and in the pathophysiology of inflammatory
disorders: atopic dermatitis, arthritis, coronary artery disease,
as well as in interstitial cystitis/chronic prostatitis, migraine
headaches and multiple sclerosis for which Dr. Theoharides' group
has developed in vivo and in vitro models; (b) the ability of mast
cells to release some of their mediators, especially cytokines,
selectively that may explain how they participate in inflammation;
moreover, selective release of angiogenesis factors may help explain
the high number of mast cells around tumors, such as breast carcinoma
and melanoma; (c) the role of mast cells in mediating the effect
of stress by responding to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH),
or its analogue urocortin (Ucn), with cytokine release, as well
as secretion of CRH and Ucn; (d) the regulation of the expression,
identification of the phosphorylated sites, as well as molecules
that increase and sustain the phosphorylated state of a 78 kDa mast
cell phosphoprotein he and his associates have cloned. In its phosphorylated
state, this protein inhibits mast cell secretion and proliferation;
select compounds could serve as anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory
drugs, and possibly anticancer agents. Dr. Theoharides has numerous
patents and is interested in using natural molecules in food supplements
for the treatment of allergic/inflammatory and malignant conditions
(Related web site: Algonot.com). He is also interested in drug and
biomedical research policy. He has served as the Clinical Pharmacologist
of the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission continuously since
1986; he has also served on the Supreme Health Council, of the Ministry
of Health, the HealthCare Board of the Ministry of Labor and Human
Resources and the National Drug Organization of the Hellenic Republic.
Recent Publications:
Theoharides TC, Kalogeromitros D. The critical role of mast cells in allergy and inflammation.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006; 1088:78-99.
Cao J, Cetrulo CL, Theoharides TC. Corticotropin-releasing hormone induces vascular endothelial growth factor release from human mast cells via the cAMP/protein kinase A/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Mol Pharmacol. 2006; 69(3):998-1006.
Donelan J, Papadopoulou N, Marchand J, Kempuraj D, Lytinas M, Boucher W, Papaliodis D, Theoharides TC. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) induces skin vascular permeability through a neurotensin (NT)-dependent process. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006; 103:7759-7764.
Theoharides TC, Konstantinidou AD. Corticotropin-releasing hormone and the blood-brain-barrier.
Front Biosci. 2007; 12:1615-1628
Theoharides TC, Kempuraj D, Tagen M, Conti P, Kalogeromitros D. Differential release of mast cell mediators and the pathogenesis of inflammation. Immunol Rev. 2007; 217:65-78.
Karapanou V, Kempuraj D, Theoharides TC. Interleukin-8 is increased in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with acute pulpitis. J Endod. 2008; 34(2):148-151
Papaliodis D, Boucher W, Kempuraj D, Theoharides TC. The flavonoid luteolin inhibits niacin-induced flush.
Br J Pharmacol. 2008;1-6. [Epub ahead of print]
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