Our lab studies molecular and cellular mechanisms that are dictated by the extracellular environment after vascular damage and regulate degenerative and repair processes upon injury or disease.

Our current research focuses on identifying the molecular and cellular interface that fibrin utilizes to interact with nervous system cells and change their functions.

Our ultimate goal is to use these interactions in a therapeutic manner for tissue repair and regeneration.

We integrate animal modeling, histopathology, microscopy, tissue culture and biochemistry techniques, as a multifaceted experimental approach to address the biological complexity of disease and repair mechanisms.

Le Moan N, Houslay DM, Christian F, Houslay MD, Akassoglou K. Oxygen-dependent cleavage of the p75 neurotrophin receptor triggers stabilization of HIF-1 alpha. Mol Cell, 2011, 44:476-90. Details...

Schachtrup C, Ryu JK, Helmrick MJ, Vagena E, Galanakis DK, Degen JL, Margolis RU, Akassoglou K. Fibrinogen triggers astrocyte acar formation by promoting the availability of active TGF-beta after vascular damage. J Neurosci, 2010, 30:5843-54. Details...

Adams RA, Bauer J, Flick MJ, Sikorski SL, Nuriel T, Lassmann H, Degen JL, Akassoglou K. The fibrin-derived Y377-395 peptide inhibits microglia activation and reverses relapsing paralysis in central nervous system autoimmune disease. J Exp Med, 2007, 204:571-82. Selected for Cover. Details...

Passino MA, Adams, RA, Sikorski SL, Akassoglou K. Regulation of hepatic stellate cell differentiation by the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR. Science, 2007, 315:1853-56. Details...