Joseph M. Ahearn, M.D.

Research Interests     Investigation of the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms responsible for the etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Investigation of the role of inflammation, innate immunity, and acquired imunity in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Development of novel immunologic assays for diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity in lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Development of novel vaccines for infections and autoimmune disease.     Selected Publications     Korb, L.C. and Ahearn, J.M. C1q binds directly and specifically to surface blebs of apoptotic human keratinocytes: Complement deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus revisited. Journal of Immunology (Cutting Edge) 158:4525-4528, 1997. Navratil, J.S. and Ahearn, J.M. Apoptosis, clearance mechanisms, and the development of SLE. Current Rheumatology Reports 3 (3): 191-198, 2001. Navratil, J.S., Watkins, S., Wisnieski, J.J., and Ahearn, J.M. The globular heads of C1q specifically recognize surface blebs of apoptotic vascular endothelial cells. Journal of Immunology 166:3231-3239, 2001. Complete Publication Listing     Other Links     University of Pittsburgh

Office:  S705A BST     Lab: S736 BST     Phone: 412.648.7587     Fax:412.383.8753     joa8@pitt.edu     Academic Affiliations     Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh Director of Research, University of Pittsburgh Arthritis Institute Co-Director, University of Pittsburgh Lupus Center of Excellence Director, University of Pittsburgh Center for Analytical Cyotmetry Member, Cardiovascular Institute of the UPMC Health System     Education     B.A. - Cornell Unviversity (1977) M.D. - Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1981) Postdoc - Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (1984-1987)     Grant Support     Title: Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center Agency: NIH Funding Period: 1997-2002 Title: T-cell Depleted Auto Stem Cell Transplant for Systemic Sclerosis Agency: NIH Funding Period: 1999-2003 Title: Vasculopathy, Apoptosis and Autoimmunity Agency: NIH Funding Period: 1999-2004 Title: Immunogenetics of Inhibitor Formation in Hemophilia Agency: NIH Funding Period: 1998-2002 Title: Rheumatic Diseases Core Center Agency: NIH Funding Period: 2001-2005 Title: Apoptosis, Complement Deficiency, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Agency: Lupus Foundation of Southeastern Pennsylvania Funding Period: 2001-2004 Title: Medical Student Preceptorship Agency: American College of Rheumatology Funding Period: 2001-2002 Title: Goldie Simon Preceptorship Award Agency: Lupus Foundation of Southeastern Pennsylvania Funding Period: 2001-2002           Lab Personnel     Research Assistant Professor Chau-Ching Liu, M.D., Ph.D. Post-Doctoral Fellow Hongmei Liang, M.D., Ph.D. Research Specialist Jeannine Navratil, M.S. Sarah Nilson, B.S. Medical Student Researcher Dale King, MS II Jeff Johnson, MS I           Click here for University of Pittsburgh Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program Website