Erythrocyte Immunometabolism

Erythrocyte immunometabolism refers to the bidirectional relationship between metabolism and immunity through the contribution of erythrocytes. In particular, erythrocyte Immunometabolism is defined as the molecular mechanisms for the i) effect of erythrocyte metabolism on immune function, and ii) the effect of erythrocyte immune function on systemic metabolism. Dr. Charalampos Papadopoulos conceptualised the term, and, through his research, he has been trying to elaborate on this unexplored area of Immunometabolism. Part of the research has been funded by the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver, the European Regional Fund and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation. The studies in Erythrocyte Immunometabolism have generated 12 original research articles and 14 review articles in peer reviewed journals, have received an award during the Greek Hepatology Conference, and led to the Special Issue Immunometabolic role of the Erythrocyte.

ERYTHROCYTES:

ORCHESTRATORS OF METAFLAMMATON

Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in vertebrates. In mammals, these cells are more vulnerable to damage due to the lack of intracellular organelles and, hence, reduced capacity of repair. Importantly, in humans red blood cells comprise the 83 % of all cells in the organism. Red blood cells metabolise and control the availability of several metabolites that are substantial for the immune function such as arginine, glutamine, sphingosine, carnitine, lysophosphatidylcholine, leukotriene A4, adenosine, inosine and glucose. Perturbation of the metabolism of these species, influences the release of various metabolites and chemicals from red blood cells that impact immune function, such as sphingosine 1 phosphate, lysophosphatidic acid, platelet activating factor, leukotriene B4, prostaglandins, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, iron and oxygen. Meanwhile, red blood cell metabolism impacts its immune function through alternations of the levels of Cd47, TLR9, DARC, CR1 and GPA. Simultaneously, erythrocyte removal by the immune system impacts iron metabolism. On the other hand, cytokines, hormones, bioactive lipids and damage-associated molecular patterns regulate erythrocyte metabolism of amino acids, glucose, membrane lipids and iron.

Charalampos Papadopoulos, MSc, PhD

Molecular Biologist, MSc in Clinical Pharmacology. After his master's studies, he worked as junior researcher in EU-funded project for functional foods. Next, he earned his PhD in Erythrocyte Immunometabolism, with a fellowship from the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (31000€). He continued with his post-doctoral research on Erythrocyte Immunometabolism, with a fellowship from the European Regional Fund (14600€) and the Hellenic Association for the Study of the Liver (8000€). Charalampos is the first author of 21 papers and the last -corresponding author of 4 papers. His studies have unraveled the immunometabolic signals for the erythrophagocytosis in human metabolic inflammation of the liver, and the molecular determinants of erythrocyte removal in human dementia and cancer-anemia. For his studies, he has developed low-cost, time-efficient, sensitive methods for the quantitation of membrane lipids. His first- or last authored research papers gain 6 citations per paper, while his first- or last authored review papers gain 9 citations per paper. His work has gathered 196 citations in total, and 159 citations adjusted for author contribution and number of authors, all within the last 5 years. His work titled: "Erythrocyte Immunometabolism in Metabolic Inflammation of the Liver" earned the best research award at the Hellenic Conference of Hepatology. Charalampos serves as the guest editor of the special issue: Immunometabolic role of the Erythrocyte, in the journal Metabolites. Charalampos has also served as peer-reviewer for several high impact journals. In 2022-2023 he worked as adjunct Professor of Biochemistry at the Democritus University of Thrace.

Apart from a researcher, Charalampos is also an extreme triathlete. He conquered a podium spot at the Olympus Extreme Triathlon (Olympos-X half) in 2023, 2024, 2025, and he qualified for the World Championship of Extreme Triathlon (middle distance) through the Greek hero Extreme Triathlon in Corfu. His biggest supporters are his kids and wife.

Communication

Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece

chapapa@med.duth.gr

Erythrocyte Immunometabolism

ERYTHROCYTES:

ORCHESTRATORS OF METAFLAMMATON

Communication

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