Professor Emeritus
Tel: (+302610) 997911
e-mail:
Web Page: http://www.chem.upatras.gr/faculty/aletras
Curriculum Vitae
Education
1972-1977: Undergraduate studies in the Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Diploma in Chemistry.
1978-1982: Post-graduate studies in the Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, accomblishment of PhD Thesis entitled: “Interaction of hyaline cartilage glycoproteins with hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans; characterization of proteoglycans”.
1985: PhD in Biochemistry.
Academic career
1981-1986: Research Assistant in the Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras.
1987-1992: Lecturer of Biochemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras.
1992-2003: Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras.
2003-today: Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras.
Courses
I)Undergraduated
1. Biochemistry-2 (Lectures, Tutorials)
2. Biochemistry-1 (Tutorials)
3. Biochemistry (Laboratory exercises)
4. Biochemistry-3 (Lectures, Tutorials)
II) Post-Graduated
1.Advanced Biochemistry
2. Molecular Pharmacology-Immunology
3. Biochemical Analysis-Clinical Biochemistry
4. Applications in Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Laboratory exercises)
Research Activities
1.Isolation and characterization of extracellular matrix macromolecules (glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, glycoproteins) from several types of connective tissue and study of their interactions.
2. Studies on extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Investigation of their role in several pathologic conditions such as, cancer proliferation and metastasis, arhtritis, arthroplasty loosening, skin and lung diseases, eyes pterygium and nasal polyposis.
3. The role of TGF-β1, IGF-I and MIF in the pathogenesis of arthritis, lung diseases, eyes pterygium and nasal polyposis. Study of their effects on the production of MMPs, TIMPs, collagen, cytokines and prostaglandins by synovial, lung, pterygium and nasal polyps fibroblasts, and articular chondrocytes. Investigation of signal transduction pathways mediating these effects.
4. The role of proteasome in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, eyes pterygium and nasal polyposis. Study of its effect on the expression of MMPs, TIMPs, cytokines and collagen in fibroblasts and chondrocytes.
Representative Publications
- Papakonstantinou,A. J. Aletras, M. Roth, M. Tamm and G. Karakiulakis
“Hypoxia modulates the effects of transforming growth factor-β isoforms on matrix-formation by primary human lung fibroblasts”
Cytokine 24 (2003) 25-35. - Papakonstantinou,A. J. Aletras, E. Glass, P. Tsogas, A. Dionyssopoulos, J. Adjaye, S. Fimmel, P. Gouvousis, R. Herwig, H. Lehrach, Ch. C. Zouboulis and G. Karakiulakis
“Matrix metalloproteinases of epithelial origin in facial sebum of patients with acne and their regulation by isotretinoin”
J. Invest. Dermatol. 125 (2005) 673-684. - Karakiulakis, E. Papakonstantinou,A. J. Aletras, M. Tamm, M. Roth
“Cell type-specific effect of hypoxia and platelet-derived growth factor-BB on extracellular matrix turnover and its consequences for lung remodeling”
J Biol Chem 282 (2007) 908-915. - A. Syggelos, E. Giannopoulou, P. A. Gouvousis, A. P. Andonopoulos,A. J. Aletras and E. Panagiotopoulos
“In vitro effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on cytokine, prostanoid and matrix metalloproteinase production by interface membranes from loose hip or knee endoprostheses”
Osteoarthritis Cartilage 15 (2007) 531-42. - Pavlaki, E. Giannopoulou, A. Niarakis, P. Ravazoula, andA. J. Aletras
“Walker 256 cancer cells secrete tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-free metalloproteinase-9”
Mol Cell Biochem 328 (2009) 189–199. - Pavlaki, K. Debeli, I-E. Triantaphyllidou, N. Klouras, E. Giannopoulou,A. J. Aletras
“A proposed mechanism for the inhibitory effect of the anticancer agent titanocene dichloride on tumour gelatinases and other proteolytic enzymes”
J Biol Inorg Chem 14 (2009) 947–957. - Skandalis SS, Aletras AJ, Gialeli C, Theocharis AD, Afratis N, Tzanakakis GN, Karamanos NK (2012),
Targeting the tumor proteasome as a mechanism to control the synthesis and bioactivity of matrix macromolecules.
Curr Mol Med 12(8):1068-1082. - Stathas T, Athanassiou SD, Drakouli S, Giannopoulou E, Mastronikolis NS, Naxakis S, Aletras AJ (2013),
MIF attenuates the suppressive effect of dexamethasone on IL-6 production by nasal polyp.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 17(11):1455-1466. - Niarakis A, Giannopoulou E, Ravazoula P, Panagiotopoulos E, Zarkadis IK, Aletras AJ (2013),
Detection of a latent soluble form of membrane type 1 matrix metalloprotease bound with tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-2 in periprosthetic tissues and fluids from loose arthroplasty endoprostheses.
FEBS J. 280 (24):6541-6555. - Bouris P, Skandalis SS, Piperigkou Z, Afratis N, Karamanou K, Aletras AJ, Moustakas A, Theocharis AD and Karamanos NK. (2015),
Estrogen receptor alpha mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition, expression of specific matrix effectors and functional properties of breast cancer cells.
Matrix Biol. 43: 42–60