Dimitris Kardassis

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Dimitris Kardassis

Collaborating Faculty Member (Professor, University of Crete)

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Several risk factors including obesity, type II diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidemia (high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, low levels of HDL cholesterol) predispose to ASCVD. Reliable genetic or non-genetic biomarkers are needed in order to increase the value of current risk prediction algorithms and new potent drugs that, in combination with statins, will reduce further ASCVD events in high risk individuals will be critical.

In our lab we are studying the molecular determinants of atherosclerosis using in vitro systems, animal models, virus-mediated gene transfer and omics technologies. Our mission is to understand better the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis with a focus on dyslipidemias, to investigate the causal role of dyslipidemia on autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases and to use this new knowledge in order to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets. To achieve our goals we have established strategic collaborations with research teams in Greece and Europe through common Greek and European funded projects and via participation, with leading roles, in European networks.

Selected Publications
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Kardassis D, Vindis C, Stancu CS, Toma L, Gafencu AV, Georgescu A, Alexandru-Moise N, Molica F, Kwak BR, Burlacu A, Hall IF, Butoi E, Magni P, Wu J, Novella S, Gamon LF, Davies MJ, Caporali A, de la Cuesta F, Mitić T. (2025) Unravelling molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis using cellular models and omics technologies. Vascul Pharmacol. 158:107452.

Axiotis I, Kakale A, Lazaridou D, Dedemadi AG, Chroni A, Multescu M, Gafencu AV, Tzardi M, Kardassis D.(2025) Hypertriglyceridemia impairs HDL functionality, promotes macrophage metabolic activation and exacerbates antigen-induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice which can be reversed by fenofibrate treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 1870:159686.

Mitić T, Georgescu A, Alexandru-Moise N, Davies MJ, Vindis C, Novella S, Gerdts E, Kararigas G, Wettinger SB, Formosa MM, Kwak BR, Molica F, Amigo N, Caporali A, de la Cuesta F, Hall IF, Chroni A, Martelli F, Schmid JA, Magni P, Kardassis D. (2025) Current status and challenges of multi-omics research using animal models of atherosclerosis. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus. 13:100476.

Thymiakou E, Tzardi M, Kardassis D. (2023) Impaired hepatic glucose metabolism and liver-α-cell axis in mice with liver-specific ablation of the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (Hnf4a) gene. Metabolism. 139:155371.

Thymiakou E, Othman A, Hornemann T, Kardassis D. (2020) Defects in High Density Lipoprotein metabolism and hepatic steatosis in mice with liver-specific ablation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4A. Metabolism. 110:154307.

Nordestgaard LT, Wolford BN, de Gonzalo-Calvo D, Sopić M, Devaux Y, Matic L, Wettinger SB, Schmid JA, Amigó N, Masana L, Catapano AL, Kardassis D, Magni P; EU-AtheroNET COST Action CA21153. (2025) Multiomics in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis. Sep;408:120414.

Dedemadi AG, Sevdali E, Georgiadou D, Valanti EK, Neofotistou-Themeli E, Chanis T, Goutakoli P, Thymiakou E, Drakos E, Christopoulou G, Bournazos S, Constantoulakis P, Verginis P, Kardassis D, Stratikos E, Sidiropoulos P, and Chroni A. (2025) Dantrolene is an HDL-associated paraoxonase-1 activator with immunosuppressive and atheroprotective properties. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. Mar;1870(2):159596.

Fragkiadakis K, Ktena N, Kalantidou A, Dermitzaki E, Anastasiou I, Papathanassiou S, Kontaraki J, Kalomoirakis P, Kanoupakis E, Patrianakos A, Papadomanolakis A, Daskalaki E, Kiousi T, Kouraki K, Kranioti E, Tzardi M, Venihaki M, Karagogeos D, Capetanaki Y, Kardassis D, Kochiadakis G, Parthenakis F, and Marketou M. (2024) Cytokeratin 18 as a Novel Biomarker in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Cells. Aug 9;13(16):1328.

Acharya S, Preda MB, Papatheodorou I, Palioura D, Giardoglou P, Tsata V, Erceg S, Barbalata T, Ben-Aicha S, Martino F, Nicastro L, Lazou A, Beis D, Martelli F, Sopic M, Emanueli C, Kardassis D, Devaux Y; EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129. (2023) The science behind soft skills: Do's and Don'ts for early career researchers and beyond. A review paper from the EU-CardioRNA COST Action CA17129. Open Res Eur. Oct 12;3:55.

Sopić M, Karaduzovic-Hadziabdic K, Kardassis D, Maegdefessel L, Martelli F, Meerson A, Munjas J, Niculescu LS, Stoll M, Magni P, Devaux Y; CardioRNA COST Action CA17129 and AtheroNET COST Action CA21153. (2023) Transcriptomic research in atherosclerosis: Unravelling plaque phenotype and overcoming methodological challenges. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus. Sep 12;6:100048.

Dalakoura-Karagkouni K, Tiniakou I, Zannis VI, and Kardassis D. (2022) Using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to study the effect of myeloperoxidase on plasma lipid levels, HDL structure and functionality in mice expressing human apoA-I forms. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Sep 24;622:108-114.

Thymiakou E, Xenikaki E, and Kardassis D. (2022) Intestine-specific ablation of the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4a (Hnf4a) gene in mice has minimal impact on serum lipids and ileum gene expression profile due to upregulation of its paralog Hnf4g. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. Mar;1867(3):159108.

Kardassis D, Thymiakou E, and Chroni A. (2022) Genetics and regulation of HDL metabolism. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. Jan;1867(1):159060.

Valanti EK, Dalakoura-Karagkouni K, Fotakis P, Vafiadaki E, Mantzoros CS, Chroni A, Zannis V, Kardassis D, and Sanoudou D. (2021) Reconstituted HDL-apoE3 promotes endothelial cell migration through ID1 and its downstream kinases ERK1/2, AKT and p38 MAPK. Metabolism. 2022 Feb;127:154954.

Valanti EK, Dalakoura-Karagkouni K, Siasos G, Kardassis D, Eliopoulos AG, and Sanoudou D. (2021) Advances in biological therapies for dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis. Metabolism. 116:154461.

Nasias D, Dalakoura-Karagkouni K, Vassou D, Papagiannakis G, Papadaki A, and Kardassis D. (2020) Transcriptome analysis of the adipose tissue in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome identifies gene signatures related to disease pathogenesis. Genomics. 112(6):4053-4062.

Chroni A, Rallidis L, Vassou D, Gkolfinopoulou C, Papakosta P, Zervou MI, Goulielmos GN, Kiouri E, Pappa D, Eliopoulos E, and Kardassis D. (2020) Identification and characterization of a rare variant in apolipoprotein A-IV, p.(V336M), and evaluation of HDL functionality in a Greek cohort with extreme HDL cholesterol levels. Arch Biochem Biophys. 696:108655.

Tarasco E, Boyle CN, Pellegrini G, Arnold M, Steiner R, Hornemann T, Nasias D, Kardassis D, Whiting L, and Lutz TA. (2019) Body weight-dependent and independent improvement in lipid metabolism after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in ApoE*3Leiden.CETP mice. Int J Obes (Lond). 43(12):2394-2406.

Jaeger, A., Saely, C.H., Muendlein, A., Evangelakos, I., Nasias, D., Charizopoulou, N., Kardassis, D., Drexel, H. and von Eckardstein, A. (2018) Circulating microRNAs -192 and -194 are associated with the presence and incidence of diabetes mellitus. Sci. Rep. 8(1):14274.

Kanaki M, and Kardassis D. (2017) Regulation of the human lipoprotein lipase gene by the forkhead box transcription factor FOXA2/HNF-3β in hepatic cells. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1860(3):327-336.

Kanaki M, Tiniakou I, Thymiakou E, and Kardassis D. (2017) Physical and functional interactions between nuclear receptor LXRα and the forkhead box transcription factor FOXA2 regulate the response of the human lipoprotein lipase gene to oxysterols in hepatic cells. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1860(8):848-860.

Fotakis P, Kuivenhoven JA, Dafnis E, Kardassis D, and Zannis VI. (2015) The Effect of Natural LCAT Mutations on the Biogenesis of HDL. Biochemistry. 54(21):3348-59.

Gkolfinopoulou C, Stratikos E, Theofilatos D, Kardassis D, Voulgari PV, Drosos AA, and Chroni A. (2015) Impaired Antiatherogenic Functions of High-density Lipoprotein in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. J Rheumatol. 42(9):1652-60.

Tiniakou I, Kanaki Z, Georgopoulos S, Chroni A, Van Eck M, Fotakis P, Zannis VI, and Kardassis D. (2015) Natural human apoA-I mutations L141RPisa and L159RFIN alter HDL structure and functionality and promote atherosclerosis development in mice. Atherosclerosis. 243(1):77-85.

Fotakis P, Vezeridis A, Dafnis I, Chroni A, Kardassis D, and Zannis VI. (2014) apoE3[K146N/R147W] acts as a dominant negative apoE form that prevents remnant clearance and inhibits the biogenesis of HDL. J Lipid Res. 55(7):1310-1323.

Thymiakou E, and Kardassis D. (2014) Novel mechanism of transcriptional repression of the human ATP binding cassette transporter A1 gene in hepatic cells by the winged helix/forkhead box transcription factor A2. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1839(6):526-36.

Kardassis D, Mosialou I, Kanaki M, Tiniakou I, and Thymiakou E. (2014) Metabolism of HDL and its regulation. Curr Med Chem. 21(25):2864-80.

Dimopoulou DG, Zervou MI, Trachana M, Myrthianou E, Pratsidou-Gertsi P, Kardassis D, Garyfallos A, and Goulielmos GN. (2013) Investigation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis susceptibility loci: results from a Greek population. Hum Immunol. 74(9):1194-8.

Fotakis P, Tiniakou I, Kateifides AK, Gkolfinopoulou C, Chroni A, Stratikos E, Zannis VI, and Kardassis D. (2013) Significance of the hydrophobic residues 225 to 230 of apoA-I for the biogenesis of HDL. J Lipid Res. 54(12):3293-302.

Fotakis P, Kateifides A, Gkolfinopoulou C, Georgiadou D, Beck M, Grundler K, Chroni A, Stratikos E, Kardassis D, and Zannis VI. (2013) Role of the hydrophobic and charged residues in the 218 to 226 region of apoA-I in the biogenesis of HDL. J Lipid Res. 54(12):3281-92.

Schou J, Frikke-Schmidt R, Kardassis D, Thymiakou E, Nordestgaard BG, Jensen G, Grande P, and Tybjærg-Hansen A. (2012) Genetic variation in ABCG1 and risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 32(2):506-15.

Ohnsorg PM, Rohrer L, Perisa D, Kateifides A, Chroni A, Kardassis D, Zannis VI, and von Eckardstein A. (2011) Carboxyl Terminus of Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) Is Necessary for the Transport of Lipid-free ApoA-I but Not Prelipidated ApoA-I Particles through Aortic Endothelial Cells. J Biol Chem. 286(10):7744-54

Trusca GV, Fuior EV, Florea IC, Kardassis D, Simionescu M, and Gafencu AV. (2011) Macrophage-specific upregulation of apolipoprotein E gene expression by STAT1 is achieved via long-range genomic interactions. J Biol Chem. 286(16):13891-904

Mosialou I, Krasagakis K, and Kardassis D. (2011) Opposite regulation of the human apolipoprotein M gene by oHepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 and Jun transcription factors. J Biol Chem. 13;286(19):17259-69.

Stender S, Frikke-Schmidt R, Anestis A, Kardassis D, Sethi AA, Nordestgaard BG, and Tybjærg-Hansen A. (2011) Genetic variation in liver X receptor alpha and risk of ischemic vascular disease in the general population. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 31(12):2990-6.

Kateifides AK, Gorshkova IN, Duka A, Chroni A, Kardassis D, and Zannis VI. (2011) Alteration of negatively charged residues in the 89 to 99 domain of apoA-I affects lipid homeostasis and maturation of HDL. J Lipid Res. 52(7):1363-72.

Haase CL, Frikke-Schmidt R, Nordestgaard BG, Kateifides AK, Kardassis D, Nielsen LB, Andersen CB, Køber L, Johnsen AH, Grande P, Zannis VI, and Tybjaerg-Hansen A. (2011) Mutation in APOA1 predicts increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and total mortality without low HDL cholesterol levels. J Intern Med. 270(2):136-46

Mavridou S, Venihaki M, Rassouli O, Tsatsanis C, and Kardassis D. (2010) Feedback inhibition of human scavenger receptor class B type I gene expression by glucocorticoid in adrenal and ovarian cells. Endocrinology 151(7):3214-24.

Mosialou I, Zannis VI, and Kardassis D. (2010) Regulation of human apolipoprotein m gene expression by orphan and ligand-dependent nuclear receptors. J Biol Chem. 285(40):30719-30.

Drosatos K, Sanoudou D, Kypreos KE, Kardassis D and Zannis VI. (2007) A dominant negative form of the transcription factor c-Jun affects genes that have opposing effects on lipid homeostasis in mice. J Biol Chem. 282, 19556-64.

Thymiakou E, Zannis VI, and Kardassis D. (2007) Physical and functional interactions between liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor and Sp1 modulate the transcriptional induction of the human ATP binding cassette transporter A1 gene by oxysterols and retinoids. Biochemistry. 46, 11473-83.

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