Theoharis C. Theoharides

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

According to his curriculum vitae, Theoharides holds over 30 patents in immunology and mast cell biology.[4] He is associated with Algonot LLC, which markets flavonoid-based formulations containing luteolin and related compounds.[17]

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ "1 Curriculum Vitae Theoharis C. Theoharides" (PDF). assets-global.website-files.com. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Theoharis C. Theoharides". Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  3. ^ Training, American Chemical Society Committee on Professional (2005). Directory of Graduate Research. American Chemical Society. p. 1672. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Theoharis C. Theoharides, BA, MS, MPhil, PhD, MD, FAAAAI". Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  5. ^ Dale, Connor (February 6, 2020). "Professors sue Tufts over new compensation, lab space policies". The Tufts Daily. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Members of the Massachusetts Drug Formulary Commission". Mass.gov. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  7. ^ Varia, J; Herbert, M; Hooker, B (20 December 2025). "The Neuroimmunology of Autism". Molecular Neurobiology. 63 (1): 316. doi:10.1007/s12035-025-05589-8. PMC 12718276. PMID 41420751.
  8. ^ Varricchi, G; Marone, G (11 January 2020). "Mast Cells: Fascinating but Still Elusive after 140 Years from Their Discovery". International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21 (2): 464. doi:10.3390/ijms21020464. PMC 7013937. PMID 31940755.
  9. ^ Tandon, P; Abrams, ND; Avula, LR; Carrick, DM; Chander, P; Divi, RL; Dwyer, JT; Gannot, G; Gordiyenko, N; Liu, Q; Moon, K; PrabhuDas, M; Singh, A; Tilahun, ME; Satyamitra, MM; Wang, C; Warren, R; Liu, CH (15 February 2024). "Unraveling Links between Chronic Inflammation and Long COVID: Workshop Report". The Journal of Immunology. 212 (4): 505–512. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.2300804. ISSN 0022-1767. PMID 38315950.
  10. ^ Theoharides, T. C. (2019). "Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation". Clinical and Molecular Allergy. 17 (24). doi:10.1177/1178223419883833. PMC 6804360. PMID 31673226.
  11. ^ Theoharides, T. C. (2024). "Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 11 (8): 2327–2329. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2023.06.034. PMID 37393005.
  12. ^ Theoharides, T. C. (2020). "The impact of psychological stress on mast cells". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 125 (3): 334–340.e1. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.05.015. PMID 32445670.
  13. ^ Tsilioni, I.; Taliou, A.; Francis, K.; Theoharides, T. C. (2015). "Children with autism spectrum disorders, who improved with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation, show reduced serum levels of TNF and IL-6". Translational Psychiatry. 5 (9): 1413–1416. doi:10.1038/tp.2015.142. PMC 4529256. PMID 26346840.
  14. ^ Theoharides, T. C. (2015). "Genitourinary mast cells and survival". Translational Andrology and Urology. 4 (5): 57986–115486. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2015.10.04. PMC 4708553. PMID 26813805. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  15. ^ "Theoharis Theoharides – Solve M.E. Researcher Page". Solve M.E. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  16. ^ Theoharides, T. C. (2022). "Successful Treatment of a Patient With Severe COVID-19". Diagnostics. 12 (5): 1128. doi:10.3390/diagnostics12051128. PMC 9145307. PMID 35631386.
  17. ^ "Algonot LLC". Algonot. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
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