he Division of Rheumatology historically is best known for its basic and clinical research on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a disorder of generalized autoimmunity induced by self-reactive T cells when immune regulation fails. Drs. Stohl, Horwitz, Gray, and Zheng have taken advantage of the extraordinary clinical resources at the USC Health Sciences Campus to study immune regulation in human SLE. Dr. Stohl’s efforts are focused on B cells, whereas those of Drs. Horwitz, Gray, and Zheng are focused on T regulatory cells. The Division’s research efforts were boosted this past year through the creation of the Richard F. Young Endowment for Lupus Research, which was established in memory of Mr. Young from his loving wife, Mary Young.

The Division’s research activities are not limited to SLE. Drs. Arkfeld, Ehresmann, and Shinada have been investigating new strategies to treat patients with RA and other inflammatory arthritides. In addition, Dr. Stohl has been conducting clinical trials in RA patients with novel biologic agents, and Dr. Torralba has been investigating novel approaches in medical education.

Faculty Research Areas

Daniel G. Arkfeld, M.D.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Novel Immune Therapies for Immune Disorders
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
B Cell Directed Autoimmune Therapies
Osteoporosis

Thomas D. Beardmore, M.D.
Purine Metabolism
Health Care Delivery
Rehabilitation of the Rheumatic Disease Patient
Disability and the Social Security System

J. Dixon Gray, Ph.D.
Generation of and Functional Assessment of Regulatory CD4 and CD8 Cells
Use of Flow Cytometry in Cell Biology
Regulatory T Cells in the Pathogenesis of Lupus

David A. Horwitz, M.D.
Cytokine-Mediated Down-Regulation of B Cell Hyperactivity in SLE
Immunoregulatory Mechanisms in the Rheumatic Diseases
Regulatory T Cell Subsets in SLE
Regulatory Cells Generated Ex-vivo to Treat Autoimmune Diseases and Prevent Graft Rejection

Fransciso P. Quismorio, Jr., M.D.
Autoimmunity and Immunopathology of Rheumatic and Systemic Connective Tissue Diseases
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Autoantibodies in Rheumatic Diseases

Shuntaro Shinada, M.D.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Effects of Rituximab in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Sclerosis
Bone Mineral Density in the Hispanic Population

William Stohl, M.D., Ph.D.
B Cell Survival Factors (especially BLyS and APRIL)
B Cell Depletion Therapy in Rheumatic Diseases

Karina Torralba, M.D.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Educational Research
Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Song Guo Zheng, M.D.
Role of Cytokines in the Development of Regulatory T Cells
Treatment of Immune-Mediated Diseases with CD4 and CD8 Regulatory T Cells
Prevention of Transplant Organ Rejection