Molecular Immunology Group
PI: Dr. Dimitrios Mastellos
Our research efforts are focused on understanding the complex interplay between innate immune mediators and inflammatory processes in health and disease. The knowledge gained from these studies forms a base for the selection of appropriate disease biomarkers and also guides the integrated evaluation of therapeutic targets that may be amenable to clinical intervention. In this regard, our main research interests lie in the field of complement pathobiology and how complement-triggered inflammation modulates host-pathogen interactions in disease processes underlying human pathology. We employ in vitro biochemical, immunochemical and cell-based platforms to characterize and monitor protein biomarkers as well as in vivo disease models for interrogating the role of host or pathogen-derived immunomodulatory factors in disease pathogenesis.
The Molecular Immunology Group is affiliated with the Division of Biodiagnostic Sciences and Technologies of I/NRASTES at NCSR 'Demokritos'.
UPCOMING EVENTS
17th International Conference on Innate Immunity
29/06/2020 - 04/07/2020
13th International Conference on Complement Therapeutics
04/07/2020 - 09/07/2020
LATEST NEWS
Complement and tissue factor-enriched neutrophil extracellular traps as key drivers of COVID-19 immunothrombosis
August 05, 2020
Emerging data indicate that dysregulated complement and neutrophil responses contribute to the maladaptive immune response that fuels hyper-inflammation and thrombotic microangiopathy in COVID-19. Here, Skendros et al. show that complement activation is a key mechanism that interlocks neutrophil and platelet responses fueling NET-dependent immunothrombosis in COVID-19. Treatment of healthy donor neutrophils with COVID-19 platelet-rich plasma generated thrombogenic TF-bearing NETs. Complement C3 inhibition with compstatin Cp40 disrupted TF expression in neutrophils providing a mechanistic basis for a pivotal role of complement and NETs in COVID-19 immunothrombosis and paving the way for novel anti-complement therapies in COVID-19.
Complement as a target in COVID-19?
April 22, 2020
There is an urgent need to develop effective therapies for COVID-19. The role of complement activation in amplifying the maladaptive host inflammatory response that sparks the 'cytokine storm' and leads to multi-organ failure in severe COVID-19 has been largely overlooked. Here, we urge immunologists and clinicians to consider the potential of targeting the complement system in these patients.
Read our comment in Nature Reviews Immunology following this link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-020-0320-7
'Stealth' corporate innovation: An emerging threat for therapeutic drug development
September 26, 2019
Academic research & industrial innovation are inherently connected. However, stealth corporate research conducted outside the peer-review system may create impediments to therapeutic drug development. Read our comment now published in Nature Immunology https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-019-0503-1
For full-text access please follow this link: https://rdcu.be/bR2Zw
Frontiers Research Topic: Therapeutic Modulation of the Complement System
June 14, 2018
Complement dysregulation or excessive activation have been widely recognized as key pathogenic drivers in a wide spectrum of inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases. Targeted modulation of the complement system at various points of the cascade has revealed promising therapeutic targets for ameliorating pathology in a number of conditions ranging from ocular and neurodegenerative disorders, to cancer, periodontal diseases, chronic hemolytic anemias, ischemia-reperfusion organ injury, antibody-mediated transplant rejection and hemodialysis-triggered inflammation. The aim of this recently launched Research Topic is to assemble reviews, mini-Reviews, and perspective articles providing an up-to-date and authoritative survey of the most recent developments in the clinical translation of complement-based therapeutics.
Complement in cancer: untangling an intricate relationship
September 17, 2017
This Review focuses on how the complement cascade can both promote and inhibit antitumour immune responses. The authors discuss the potential of targeting complement components for immunotherapeutic purposes in patients with cancer.