Theoharis C. Theoharides
Greek-American physician-scientist and immunologist
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Theoharis C. Theoharides (born February 11, 1950[1]) is a Greek-American physician-scientist whose research focuses on mast cell biology, neuroimmune interactions, and neuroinflammation. He is a professor at Nova Southeastern University, where he serves as Vice Chair of Clinical Immunology and Executive Director of the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine.[2]
Early life and education
Theoharides was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. He attended Anatolia College before studying at Yale University, where he obtained a B.A. in Biology and History of Medicine, then M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Pharmacology, and finally an M.D. in 1983.[3] He completed training in internal medicine at the New England Medical Center.[4]
Academic and professional career
At Nova Southeastern University, Theoharides is Vice Chair of Clinical Immunology and Executive Director of the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine.[2] He also holds an adjunct professorship in immunology at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he previously served as Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology & Drug Discovery.[2][5]
He served as Clinical Pharmacologist for the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission from 1983 to 2022.[2][6]
Research
Theoharides' research explores how mast cells selectively release mediators and interact with microglia, influence blood–brain barrier permeability, and contribute to neuroinflammation in conditions such as autism spectrum disorder,[7][8] multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Long COVID.[9]
He has published reviews such as Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation (2019) discussing mast cell roles in inflammation.[10]
In Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation (2024), he examined mast cell interfaces with autonomic dysfunction.[11]
He also reviewed the relationship between psychological stress and mast cell activation (2020).[12]
In the autism field, a collaborative study reported reduced cytokine levels among children with autism spectrum disorders who received a luteolin-containing formulation.[13]
In peripheral inflammation studies, Genitourinary mast cells and survival addressed mast cell roles in bladder pain and interstitial cystitis.[14]
He is principal investigator of a project on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) examining how extracellular vesicles from patients may influence mast cell and microglial activation.[15]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he coauthored Successful Treatment of a Patient With Severe COVID-19 discussing mast cell–modulating therapeutic considerations.[16]
Patents and product development
Selected publications
- Theoharides TC, Valent P, Akin C. Mast cells, mastocytosis, and related disorders. New England Journal of Medicine. 2015.
- Patel AB, Tsilioni I, Leeman SE, Theoharides TC. Neurotensin stimulates sortilin and mTOR in human microglia. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2016.
- Middleton E Jr, Kandaswami C, Theoharides TC. Effects of plant flavonoids on mammalian cells. Pharmacological Reviews. 2000.
- Theoharides TC, Kempuraj D. Role of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-Protein-Induced Activation of Microglia and Mast Cells in the Pathogenesis of Neuro-COVID. Cells. 2023.
- Tsilioni I, Taliou A, Francis K, Theoharides TC. Children with autism spectrum disorders... Translational Psychiatry. 2015.
Recognition and impact
His university biography states he has authored over 500 peer-reviewed publications.[4] His work is cited in numerous reviews on mast cell activation and neuroimmunology, and his ongoing projects in ME/CFS and dysautonomia reflect continuing research activity.