The Moskophidis Laboratory
Dimitrios Moskofidis, PhD, MD
(Demetrius Moskophidis)
Professor
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
& Graduate Studies
Member, Molecular Oncology & Biomarkers Program
Chaperone Biology & Metabolism Research Group
Jump to: Research SummaryImpact on Georgia patientsResearch Focus Research Interests Publications
Contact Us
The Dimitrios Moskophidis Lab
Health Sciences Campus
GCC - M. Bert Storey Research Building
1410 Laney-Walker Blvd., CN-3156D1
(706) 721-8738
Research Summary
The scope of our research includes studies on immune regulation, microbial (viral) pathogenesis and inflammation as well as studies on protein homeostasis and molecular chaperone biology/function. These are areas of great medical importance and there is reasonable expectation that this research will continue to provide the rationale to develop novel strategies to prevent, and perhaps more effectively treat, viral infectious diseases as well as patients with cancer and with age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Impact on Patients in Georgia
Dr. Moskofidis made foundational discoveries in the 1990s that changed our understanding of how the immune system regulates its response to persistent infections—including the phenomenon of T cell exhaustion, a concept that became central to the entire field of cancer immunotherapy.
His current work on molecular chaperones (heat shock proteins) reveals how tumors hijack cellular stress-response machinery to fuel their growth and protect themselves from treatment.
Working in close collaboration with Dr. Mivechi, his lab has demonstrated that blocking key heat shock proteins can halt the development of liver cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia—findings with direct relevance to Georgia's elevated rates of these diseases.
Research Focus
The primary focus of research in my laboratory, over the past two decades, has been to investigate microbial (viral) pathogenesis and immunology/inflammation, as well as mechanisms of protein homeostasis and molecular chaperone biology. The specific research areas can be summarized as follows:
- Function of molecular chaperones and heat shock transcription factors in mouse models of human diseases (cancer).
- Deciphering the fundamental mechanisms coordinating the immune response to acute versus persistent viral infections and the implications in cancer immune evasion.
View Pure Research Profile
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HSF2-HSP110 axis supports genome stability via RNA polymerase II transcription and DNA repairJin, X., Xi, C., Pandya, B., Pang, J., Fernandez, D., Eroglu, B., Moskofidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Jun 1 2026, In: The Journal of cell biology. 225, 6Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
UFL1 promotes survival and function of virtual memory CD8 T cellsBhatt, B., Kumar, K., Shi, H., Ganesan, D., Anazodo, F., Rathakrishnan, A., Zhu, H., Wanna, A., Jiang, C., Jayavelu, T., Lokeshwar, V. B., Pacholczyk, R., Munn, D. H., Sheridan, B. S., Moskophidis, D., Li, H. & Singh, N., Mar 1 2025, In: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). 214, 3, p. 446-459 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Targeted Replacement of HSF1 Phosphorylation Sites at S303/S307 with Alanine Residues in Mice Increases Cell Proliferation and Drug ResistanceJin, X., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., 2023, Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana Press Inc., p. 81-94 14 p. (Methods in Molecular Biology; vol. 2693).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter |
Dusp26 phosphatase regulates mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress and protects neuronal cell deathEroglu, B., Jin, X., Deane, S., Öztürk, B., Ross, O. A., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Apr 2022, In: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 79, 4, 198.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
HSF1-mediated control of cellular energy metabolism and mTORC1 activation drive acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia progressionEroglu, B., Pang, J., Jin, X., Xi, C., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., 2020, In: Molecular Cancer Research. 18, 3, p. 463-476 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 70 controls liver cancer initiation and progression by regulating adaptive DNA damage and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathwaysCho, W., Jin, X., Pang, J., Wang, Y., Mivechi, N. F. & Moskofidis, D., May 1 2019, In: Molecular and Cellular Biology. 39, 9, e00391-18.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Modulation of heat shock factor 1 activity through silencing of Ser303/Ser307 phosphorylation supports a metabolic program leading to age-related obesity and insulin resistanceJin, X., Qiao, A., Moskofidis, D. & Mivechia, N. F., Sep 1 2018, In: Molecular and Cellular Biology. 38, 18, e00095-18.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Targeted deletion of Hsf1, 2, and 4 genes in miceJin, X., Eroglu, B., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., 2018, Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana Press Inc., p. 1-22 22 p. (Methods in Molecular Biology; vol. 1709).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter |
The transcriptional regulator of the chaperone response HSF1 controls hepatic bioenergetics and protein homeostasisQiao, A., Jin, X., Pang, J., Moskofidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Mar 6 2017, In: The Journal of cell biology. 216, 3, p. 723-741 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Therapeutic inducers of the HSP70/HSP110 protect mice against traumatic brain injuryEroglu, B., Kimbler, D. E., Pang, J., Choi, J., Moskophidis, D., Yanasak, N., Dhandapani, K. M. & Mivechi, N. F., Sep 2014, In: Journal of Neurochemistry. 130, 5, p. 626-641 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
An essential role for heat shock transcription factor binding protein 1 (HSBP1) during early embryonic developmentEroglu, B., Min, J. N., Zhang, Y., Szurek, E., Moskofidis, D., Eroglu, A. & Mivechi, N. F., Feb 15 2014, In: Developmental Biology. 386, 2, p. 448-460 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Heat shock factor Hsf1 cooperates with ErbB2 (Her2/Neu) protein to promote mammary tumorigenesis and metastasisXi, C., Hu, Y., Buckhaults, P., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Oct 12 2012, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 287, 42, p. 35646-35657 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Heat shock transcription factor 1 is a key determinant of HCC development by regulating hepatic steatosis and metabolic syndromeJin, X., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Jul 6 2011, In: Cell Metabolism. 14, 1, p. 91-103 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Heat shock factor 1 deficiency via its downstream target gene αB-crystallin (Hspb5) impairs p53 degradationJin, X., Moskophidis, D., Hu, Y., Phillips, A. & Mivechi, N. F., Jun 1 2009, In: Journal of cellular biochemistry. 107, 3, p. 504-515 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Genomic and biological characterization of aggressive and docile strains of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus rescued from a plasmid-based reverse-genetics systemChen, M., Lan, S., Ou, R., Price, G. E., Jiang, H., de la Torre, J. C. & Moskophidis, D., Jun 2008, In: Journal of General Virology. 89, 6, p. 1421-1433 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Regulation of immune response and inflammatory reactions against viral infection by VCAM-1Ou, R., Zhang, M., Huang, L., Flavell, R. A., Koni, P. A. & Moskophidis, D., Mar 2008, In: Journal of Virology. 82, 6, p. 2952-2965 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Essential Requirement for Both hsf1 and hsf2 Transcriptional Activity in Spermatogenesis and Male FertilityWang, G., Ying, Z., Jin, X., Tu, N., Zhang, Y., Phillips, M., Moskophidis, D. & Mivechi, N. F., Feb 2004, In: Genesis (United States). 38, 2, p. 66-80 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Critical role for perforin-, Fas/FasL-, and TNFR1-mediated cytotoxic pathways in down-regulation of antigen-specific T cells during persistent viral infectionZhou, S., Ou, R., Huang, L. & Moskophidis, D., 2002, In: Journal of Virology. 76, 2, p. 829-840 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Targeted inactivation of the sodium-calcium exchanger (Ncx1) results in the lack of a heartbeat and abnormal myofibrillar organization.Koushik, S. V., Wang, J., Rogers, R., Moskofidis, D., Lambert, N. A., Creazzo, T. L. & Conway, S. J., May 2001, In: The FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 15, 7, p. 1209-1211 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Critical role for alpha/beta and gamma interferons in persistence of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus by clonal exhaustion of cytotoxic T cellsOu, R., Zhou, S., Huang, L. & Moskophidis, D., 2001, In: Journal of Virology. 75, 18, p. 8407-8423 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
The role of alpha/beta and gamma interferons in development of immunity to influenza A virus in micePrice, G. E., Gaszewska-Mastarlarz, A. & Moskophidis, D., 2000, In: Journal of Virology. 74, 9, p. 3996-4003 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Contribution of virus-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells to virus clearance or pathologic manifestations of influenza virus infection in a T cell receptor transgenic mouse modelMoskophidis, D. & Kioussis, D., Jul 20 1998, In: Journal of Experimental Medicine. 188, 2, p. 223-232 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Susceptibility and resistance to antigen-induced apoptosis in the thymus of transgenic miceTarazona, R., Williams, O., Moskophidis, D., Smyth, L. A., Tanaka, Y., Murdjeva, M., Wack, A., Mamalaki, C. & Kioussis, D., Jun 1 1998, In: Journal of Immunology. 160, 11, p. 5397-5403 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Virus-Specific IgD in Acute Viral Infection of MiceMoskophidis, D., Moskophidis, M. & Löhler, J., Feb 1 1997, In: Journal of Immunology. 158, 3, p. 1254-1261 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Immumobiology of cytotoxic T-cell escape mutants of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virusMoskophidis, D. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Apr 1995, In: Journal of Virology. 69, 4, p. 2187-2193 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
MHC class I and non-MHC-linked capacity for generating an anti-viral CTL response determines susceptiblility to CTL exhaustion and establishment of virus persistence in miceMoskophidis, D., Lechner, F., Hengartner, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., May 15 1994, In: Journal of Immunology. 152, 10, p. 4976-4983 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Resistance of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus to alpha/beta interferon and to gamma interferonMoskophidis, D., Battegay, M., Bruendler, M. A., Laine, E., Gresser, I. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Mar 1994, In: Journal of Virology. 68, 3, p. 1951-1955 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Peripheral clonal deletion of antiviral memory CD8+ T cellsMoskophidis, D., Laine, E. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Dec 1993, In: European Journal of Immunology. 23, 12, p. 3306-3311 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Impairment and delay of neutralizing antiviral antibody responses by virus-specific cytotoxic T cellsBattegay, M., Moskophidis, D., Waldner, H., Bründler, M. A., Fung-Leung, W. P., Mak, T. W., Hengartner, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Nov 15 1993, In: Journal of Immunology. 151, 10, p. 5408-5415 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Effector T‐Cell Induction and T‐Cell Memory versus Peripheral Deletion of T CellsZinkernagel, R. M., Moskophidis, D., Kündig, T., Oehen, S., Pircher, H. & Hengartner, H., Jun 1993, In: Immunological Reviews. 133, 1, p. 199-223 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Virus persistence in acutely infected immunocompetent mice by exhaustion of antiviral cytotoxic effector T cellsMoskophidis, D., Lechner, F., Pircher, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., 1993, In: Nature. 362, 6422, p. 758-761 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Erratum: Virus persistence in acutely infected immunocompetent mice by exhaustion of antiviral cytotoxic effector T cells (Nature (1993) 362 (758-761))Moskophldis, D., Lechner, F., Plrcher, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., 1993, In: Nature. 364, 6434, p. 262 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review |
Immunosuppression by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection: competent effector T and B cells but impaired antigen presentationAlthage, A., Odermatt, B., Moskophidis, D., Kündig, T., Hengartner, U. H. H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Jul 1992, In: European Journal of Immunology. 22, 7, p. 1803-1812 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Suppression of virus-specific antibody production by CD8+ class I-restricted antiviral cytotoxic T cells in vivoMoskophidis, D., Pircher, H., Ciernik, I., Odermatt, B., Hengartner, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., Jun 1992, In: Journal of Virology. 66, 6, p. 3661-3668 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
In vitro selection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus escape mutants by cytotoxic T lymphocytesAebischer, T., Moskophidis, D., Rohrer, U. H., Zinkernagel, R. M. & Hengartner, H., 1991, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 88, 24, p. 11047-11051 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Lower receptor avidity required for thymic clonal deletion than for effector T-cell functionPircher, H., Rohrer, U. H., Moskophidis, D., Zinkernagel, R. M. & Hengartner, H., 1991, In: Nature. 351, 6326, p. 482-485 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Production of random classes of immunoglobulins in brain tissue during persistent viral infection paralleled by secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) but not IL-4, IL-5, and gamma interferonMoskophidis, D., Frei, K., Löhler, J., Fontana, A. & Zinkernagel, R. M., 1991, In: Journal of Virology. 65, 3, p. 1364-1369 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Virus-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH): Cells mediating lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-specific DTH reaction in miceMoskophidis, D., Fang, L., Gossmann, J., Drjupin, R., Löhler, J., Bruns, M. & Lehmann-Grube, F., Mar 1 1990, In: Journal of Immunology. 144, 5, p. 1926-1934 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Viral escape by selection of cytotoxic T cell-resistant virus variants in vivoPircher, H., Moskophidis, D., Rohrer, U., Bürki, K., Hengartner, H. & Zinkernagel, R. M., 1990, In: Nature. 346, 6285, p. 629-633 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Enumeration of single IFN-γ-producing cells in mice during viral and bacterial infectionGessner, A., Moskofidis, D. & Lehmann-Grube, F., Jan 1 1989, In: Journal of Immunology. 142, 4, p. 1293-1298 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
Research Team
Peter Biggs