Dr ILIAS KAZANIS University positionvisiting senior Research Associate DepartmentsInstitutesMRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Home pagehttps://www.researchgate.net/lab/Ili... (personal home page) Research ThemesInterestsMy research focuses on the regulation of adult brain cytogenesis, especilly on the biology of the subependymal zone neurogenic/gliogenic niche. I am interested in the role of components of the extracellular matrix (ECM/ such as integrins, laminins and tenascin-C), as well as of structural elements of the niche (such as ependymal cells and blood vessels) in the regulation of adult stem cell behaviour. When and how the neural stem cell transforms from a very active progenitor into a relatively quiescent cell? What is the contribution of ECM molecules in this process? How is the niche microenvironment altered when stem cells become activated in order to regenerate the neural tissue? Recently I have started exploring more intensively the oligodendrogenic properties of the subependymal zone, especially in the context of the ageing brain, as well as the potential to develop new methods to isolate neural progenitors from the niche.  Adult neural stem cells are BrdU-retaining (green) cells with astroglial morphology (GFAP-blue). The pictured stem cell is beta1 integrin (red) negative, in contrast to its neighbouring progenitors. Click image to view full-size Research Focus
EquipmentCell culture Computational modelling Confocal microscopy Fluorescence microscopy Immunohistochemistry Microscopy Collaborators
Associated News ItemsKey publicationsMcClenahan F, Dimitriou C, Koutsakis C, Dimitrakopoulos D, Arampatzis A, Kakouri P, Kourla M, Oikonomou S, Andreopoulou E, Patsonis M, Meri DK, Rasool RT, Franklin RJM, Kazanis I (2021), “Isolation of neural stem and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from the brain of live rats” Stem Cell Res 16(10): 2534-2547 Mourtzi T, Dimitrakopoulos D, Kakogiannis D, Salodimitris C, Botsakis K, Meri DK, Anesti M, Dimopoulou A, Charalampopoulos I, Gravanis A, Matsokis N, Angelatou F, Kazanis I (2021), “Characterization of substantia nigra neurogenesis in homeostasis and dopaminergic degeneration: beneficial effects of the microneurotrophin BNN-20” Stem Cell Res Ther 12(1):335 Kazanis I, Evans KA, Andreopoulou E, Dimitriou C, Koutsakis C, Karadottir RT, Franklin RJM (2017), “Subependymal Zone-Derived Oligodendroblasts Respond to Focal Demyelination but Fail to Generate Myelin in Young and Aged Mice” Stem Cell Reports 8(3):685-700 Kazanis I, Feichtner M, Lange S, Rotheneichner P, Hainzl S, Öller M, Schallmoser K, Rohde E, Reitsamer HA, Couillard-Despres S, Bauer HC, Franklin RJ, Aigner L, Rivera FJ (2015), “Lesion-induced accumulation of platelets promotes survival of adult neural stem / progenitor cells” Experimental Neurology 269: 75-89 Kazanis I, Ffrench-Constant C (2012), “The number of stem cells in the subependymal zone of the adult rodent brain is correlated with the number of ependymal cells and not with the volume of the niche.” Stem Cells Dev 21(7):1090-6 Details Kazanis I, Lathia JD, Vadakkan TJ, Raborn E, Wan R, Mughal MR, Eckley DM, Sasaki T, Patton B, Mattson MP, Hirschi KK, Dickinson ME, ffrench-Constant C (2010), “Quiescence and activation of stem and precursor cell populations in the subependymal zone of the mammalian brain are associated with distinct cellular and extracellular matrix signals.” J Neurosci 30(29):9771-81 Details Kazanis I, Belhadi A, Faissner A, Ffrench-Constant C (2007), “The adult mouse subependymal zone regenerates efficiently in the absence of tenascin-C.” J Neurosci 27(51):13991-6 Details Ekonomou A, Kazanis I, Malas S, Wood H, Alifragis P, Denaxa M, Karagogeos D, Constanti A, Lovell-Badge R, Episkopou V (2005), “Neuronal migration and ventral subtype identity in the telencephalon depend on SOX1.” PLoS Biol 3(6):e186 Details Publications2016Koutsakis C, Kazanis I (2016), “How Necessary is the Vasculature in the Life of Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells? Evidence from Evolution, Development and the Adult Nervous System.” Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience Feb 16;10:35 Neumann B, Kazanis I (2016), “Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells: the ever mitotic cells of the CNS” Frontiers in Bioscience 8: 29-43 Rivera FJ, Kazanis I, Ghevaert C, Aigner L (2016), “Beyond Clotting: A Role of Platelets in CNS Repair?” Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience Jan 20;9:511 2014Chandran JS, Kazanis I, Clapcote SJ, Ogawa F, Millar JK, Porteous DJ, Ffrench-Constant C (2014), “Disc1 variation leads to specific alterations in adult neurogenesis.” PLoS One 9(10):e108088 Details 2013Agathou S, Káradóttir RT, Kazanis I (2013), “Niche derived oligodendrocyte progenitors: a source of rejuvenation or complementation for local oligodendrogenesis?” Front Cell Neurosci 7:188 Details Kazanis I (2013), “Neurogenesis in the adult Mammalian brain: how much do we need, how much do we have?” Curr Top Behav Neurosci 15:3-29 Details Kazanis I, Gorenkova N, Zhao JW, Franklin RJ, Modo M, Ffrench-Constant C (2013), “The late response of rat subependymal zone stem and progenitor cells to stroke is restricted to directly affected areas of their niche.” Exp Neurol 248C:387-397 Details 2012Kazanis I (2012), “Reforming the Greek health system: A role for non-medical, clinical bioscientists.” Health Policy Details Kazanis I (2012), “Can adult neural stem cells create new brains? Plasticity in the adult mammalian neurogenic niches: realities and expectations in the era of regenerative biology.” Neuroscientist 18(1):15-27 Details 2011Kazanis I, Ffrench-Constant C (2011), “Extracellular matrix and the neural stem cell niche.” Dev Neurobiol 71(11):1006-17 Details 2010Marthiens V, Kazanis I, Moss L, Long K, Ffrench-Constant C (2010), “Adhesion molecules in the stem cell niche--more than just staying in shape?” J Cell Sci 123(Pt 10):1613-22 Details 2009Kazanis I (2009), “The subependymal zone neurogenic niche: a beating heart in the centre of the brain: how plastic is adult neurogenesis? Opportunities for therapy and questions to be addressed.” Brain 132(Pt 11):2909-21 Details 2008Kazanis I, Lathia J, Moss L, ffrench-Constant C (2008), “The neural stem cell microenvironment” StemBook doi/10.3824/stembook.1.15.1 2007Kan L, Jalali A, Zhao LR, Zhou X, McGuire T, Kazanis I, Episkopou V, Bassuk AG, Kessler JA (2007), “Dual function of Sox1 in telencephalic progenitor cells.” Dev Biol 310(1):85-98 Details 2005Kazanis I (2005), “CNS injury research; reviewing the last decade: methodological errors and a proposal for a new strategy.” Brain Res Brain Res Rev 50(2):377-86 Details 2004Kazanis I, Giannakopoulou M, Philippidis H, Stylianopoulou F (2004), “Alterations in IGF-I, BDNF and NT-3 levels following experimental brain trauma and the effect of IGF-I administration.” Exp Neurol 186(2):221-34 Details 2003Kazanis I, Bozas E, Philippidis H, Stylianopoulou F (2003), “Neuroprotective effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) following a penetrating brain injury in rats.” Brain Res 991(1-2):34-45 Details Mantelas A, Stamatakis A, Kazanis I, Philippidis H, Stylianopoulou F (2003), “Control of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels by GABA-A receptors in the developing rat cortex.” Brain Res Dev Brain Res 145(2):185-95 Details 2001Benekou A, Bolaris S, Kazanis E, Bozas E, Philippidis H, Stylianopoulou F (2001), “In utero radiation-induced changes in growth factor levels in the developing rat brain.” Int J Radiat Biol 77(1):83-93 Details 2000Giannakopoulou M, Mansour M, Kazanis E, Bozas E, Philpipidis H, Stylianopoulou F (2000), “NMDA receptor mediated changes in IGF-II gene expression in the rat brain after injury and the possible role of nitric oxide.” Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 26(6):513-21 Details |