Cage S. Johnson , MD
Professor
Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center

Research Interests

The comprehensive sickle cell center at USC and its associated institutions is focused on the pathophysiology, clinical consequences and treatment of vascular occlusion in the sickle cell disease, yet its pathophysiology is still incompletely understood, and its treatments remains largely unsatisfactory. The current research program has developed a model for the delvelopment of mature erythrocytes from hematopoietic stem cells, so that the physical charachteristics of such cells can be measured and compared to circulating erythrocytes in an effort to better understand the mechanisms by which sickle cells develop a better understandthe mechanisms by which sickle cells develop their cytoplasmic abnormalities, membrane abnormalities and adhesive properties so that we can develop a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Additional projects are investigating the role of neutrophils and the reticulo endothelial system on the complex interplay of these circulation components with vascular endothelium that participate in vascular occlusion.

Clinical Interests

Erythrocyte disorders

Degrees

Creighton University, MD, 1965

Internships

Cincinnati General Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 1965 - 1966

Residencies

Cincinnati General Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, 1966 - 1967
LAC+USC Medical Center, 1969 - 1971

Fellowships

LAC+USC Medical Center, 1972 - 1974

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine, 1972
Hematology, 1974

Memberships

American Society of Hematology
E.E. Just Society
New York Academy of Science

Clinical Affiliation

USC Ambulatory Health Center

Johnson CS, Omata M, Tong MJ, SImmons JF Jr., Weiner J, Tatter D: Liver involvement in sickle cell disease. Medicine (Baltimore) 64:349-356, 1985

Stuart J, Johnson CS: Rheology of the sickle cell disorders. In: Blood rheology and hyperviscosity syndromes, GDO Rowe, ed Balliere's Clinical Haematology 1:727-775, 1987

Johnson CS, Verdegem TH: Pulmonary complications of sickle cell disease. Seminars in Respitory Medicine 9:287-296, 1988

Francis RF, Johnson CS: Vaso occulusion in Sickle cell Disease: Current concepts and unanswered questions. Blood 77:1405-1414, 1991

Powars DR, Elliot Mills DD, Chan L, Niland J, Hiti AL, Opas LM,Johnson C: Chronic renal failure in sickle cell disease: Risk factors, clinical Course and morality. Annals of Internal Medicine 115:614-620, 1991