Cancer is a complex disease which is often characterized by deregulated intracellular signal transduction. Our long-term goal is to gain insight into signal transduction pathways underlying cancer cell growth and death.
Currently, the Eliopoulos' laboratory engages in two specific areas of research:

1. Regulation of TNF Receptor-associated factor (TRAF) signal transduction.
TRAFs are adaptor molecules which link various receptors and viral proteins to the activation of oncogenic and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-kB and MAPKs. A major effort in the lab is directed at the identification of novel components of the CD40 and TNF receptor/TRAF signaling networks.

2. The role of inflammatory signaling pathways in carcinogenesis.
Epidemiological, clinical and experimental data suggest that a number of human malignancies can be attributed to toxic agents and irritants or to persistent infections of viral or bacterial etiology which cause chronic inflammatory imbalance in the affected tissue. We utilize chemical-induced carcinogenesis protocols in animal models to dissect the role of the various cell types present in the tumor and analyze the signals exchanged between these cells. The practical benefits of this research will assist in the improved design of novel anti-cancer therapeutics and diagnostic tools to address prevention, early detection and improved management of human cancer.

Selected Publications

Knox PG, Davies CC, Ioannou M, Eliopoulos AG. The death kinase RIP1 links the immunoregulatory CD40 receptor to apoptotic signaling in carcinoma. J. Cell Biol. 192: 391-9.

Moschonas A, Kouraki M, Knox PG, Thymiakou E, Kardassis D, Eliopoulos AG. (2008) CD40 induces antigen transporter and immunoproteasome gene expression in carcinomas via the coordinated action of NF-κB and of NF-κB mediated de novo synthesis of IRF-1. Mol Cell Biol. 28: 6208-6222.

Eliopoulos AG. (2008) 'Make and Brake' in signaling (Perspective). Science 321:648-649.Davies CC, Mak TW, Young LS, Eliopoulos AG (2005) TRAF6 is required for TRAF2-dependent CD40 signal transduction in nonhemopoietic cells. Mol Cell Biol. 25:9806-19.

Eliopoulos AG, Wang C-C, Dumitru CD, Tsichlis PN. (2003) Tpl2 transduces CD40 and TNF receptor signals that activate ERK and regulate immunoglobulin production. EMBO J 22: 3855-3864.