The Center of Excellence for Neuroinflammation Research (CENIR) at the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine (INIM), Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, is directed by Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides, Ph.D., M.D. (Director, CENIR) and Dr. Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph.D. (Associate Director, CENIR). Dr. Theoharides is a worldwide top expert in mast cells. He has been studying the regulation of mast cells and microglia, as well as their role in neuroinflammatory diseases, especially atopic dermatitis (eczema), autism spectrum disorder, food allergies, long COVID, and mast cell activation disorders for over 30 years and has published 500 scientific research articles. Dr. Kempuraj is an expert in neurovascular unit, neurovascular pathologies/blood-brain barrier disorders in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. He has been studying neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury (TBI), blast explosion-induced brain and eye injuries, neurotherapeutic drug evaluations, and human primary mast cells and their role in neurodegenerative disorders. He has published 175 scientific research articles in these fields.
The CENIR is at the forefront of translational research, aiming to improve the understanding of disease mechanisms, which will help to improve diagnosis, identify biomarkers, and develop more effective targeted treatments for these debilitating conditions. To date, the CENIR has been investigating neuroimmune, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, long COVID, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury/blast explosion-mediated ocular and brain injury. In these efforts, CENIR has the unique ability to translate research findings from in vitro cell culture models to animal models and human patients, with the ability to investigate novel disease mechanisms and evaluate various anti-inflammatory and neurotherapeutic agents, including natural compounds.
The CENIR has been engaged in groundbreaking research, including the development of human neuroimmune “brain-on-a-chip” models using primary cells and patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for various neuroinflammatory disorders, including Parkinson’s disease. CENIR is one of the very few expert centers in the United States that has developed human primary mast cells from human umbilical cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. This allows the testing of these human primary mast cells with bacterial, viral, allergic and inflammatory disease-relevant stimulants and serum/plasma from allergic/inflammatory diseases and mast cell activation disorder patients. As a result, CENIR can perform specialized assays for the mast cell activation-mediated release of inflammatory mediators in the blood of chronic mast cell activation disorder patients. We also evaluate anti-allergic/anti-inflammatory mast cell inhibitors, including natural compounds, novel compounds, and repurposing drugs.
CENIR activities include:
· Identify why mast cells do not respond to many individuals and the molecules prevent them from releasing allergic and inflammatory mediators
· Develop a unique diagnostic panel for mast cell activation disorders
· Develop a unique diagnostic panel for neuroinflammatory activation disorders
· Develop human organoid brain-on-a-chip as disease models for neurologic disorders
· Screen natural molecules and/or repurposed drugs as novel treatment options
· Design and execute pilot clinical studies
Dr. Theoharis C. Theoharides is the top expert worldwide:
Mast Cells: Worldwide – Expertscape.com
Luteolin: Worldwide – Expertscape.com
Neurotensin: Worldwide – Expertscape.com
Complete List of Publications and Other Research Achievements:
Theoharis C. Theoharides, M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D., M.D., FAAAAI https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/? term=theoharides&sort=date Theoharis C Theoharides, MS, MPhil, PhD, MD – Google Scholar
Kempuraj Duraisamy, M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1n1GvvxUz6sQ0/bibliography/public/ Kempuraj Duraisamy, Ph.D – Google Scholar
Baskaran Chinnappan Ph.D. (Scientist) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/baskaran.c.1/bibliography/public/
Funding:
· Gateway Institute for Brain Research
· CAS BioSciences
· Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
· Donors
The CENIR’s internal and external clinical and research collaborators include experts in multiple diseases and disciplines:
Aman Cheema, Ph.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
Geeta Ravindran, Ph.D., College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
Irene Tsilioni, Ph.D., Tufts University School of Medicine
Kristina Aenlle, Ph.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University & Miami VA Hospital
Lubov Nathanson, Ph.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
Luis Salgueiro, Ph.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
Nancy Klimas, M.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University & Miami VA Hospital
Naushira Pandya, M.D., College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
Raghav Govindarajan, M.D., Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Rajiv Mohan, Ph.D., University of Missouri School of Medicine and Truman VA Hospital