Erythrocyte Immunometabolism Group
The group of erythrocyte immunometabolism explores the contribution of erythrocyte amino acid, lipid, glucose and purine metabolism to the molecular basis of inflammation. Our team is led by Dr. Charalampos Papadopoulos, supervised by Prof. Konstantinos Anagnostopoulos and is at present funded by the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver
ERYTHROCYTES:
ORCHESTRATORS OF METAFLAMMATON
Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in vertebrates. Although these cells are only considered solely gas exchangers, recent studies have unveiled pleiotropic functions of erythrocytes. In mammals, these cells are more vulnerable to damage due to the lack of intracellular organelles and, hence, reduced capacity of repair. During their circulation in the whole organism, erythrocytes are exposed to various metabolic and inflammatory signals. Lipotoxicity and glucotoxicity impact erythrocyte function and convert erythrocytes to pro-inflammatory cells. Meanwhile, cytokines and damage-associated molecular patterns regulate erythrocyte metabolism, again amplifying inflammation. The pro-inflammatory actions of red blood cells are mainly attributed to release of bioactive molecules and increased erythrophagocytosis-dependent delivery of aberrant metabolome. Our work is based on the notion that erythrocytes connect the systemic metabolic status with inflammation. The research of Dr.Papadopoulos has received total funding of 60000€ and has proved that erythrocyte metabolism is connected to inflammation of the liver.
Communication
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece
chapapa@med.duth.gr
