Physicians

Departments / Divisions

• Medicine / Medicine-Rheumatology and Immunology
• Immunology

Address
DUMC 3544
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone
Not accepting new patients

Office Telephone
919-286-6835

Fax Telephone
919-286-6891

Training

• MD, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (New York), 1973

Residency

• Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital (Connecticut), 1973-1975
• Immunology, National Institutes of Health (Maryland), 1975-1978

Clinical Interests
Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, general rheumatology

Research Interests
Studies in my laboratory concern the immunological properties of DNA as related to two main topics: 1) the induction of anti-DNA responses in systemic lupus erythematosus; and 2) the stimulation of innate immunity by bacterial DNA. These topics are closely linked since we have established novel disease models in which lupus-like illness can be induced in normal mice by bacterial DNA under conditions in which mammalian DNA is inactive. This model has been useful in elucidating mechanisms of DNA antigen drive in autoimmunity.

To pursue these studies, our laboratory conducts investigations in the following areas: 1) specificity of anti-DNA for epitopes on mammalian and bacterial DNA; 2) molecular analysis of murine mononclonal anti-DNA antibodies; 3) histopathological analyses of DNA-immunized mice; 4) in vitro analysis of proliferation, antibody production and cytokine expression in human and murine immune cells; and 5) analysis of DNA binding to cell surface molecules on B cells, T cells and macrophages. Results of these studies have allowed identification of at least two structural motifs that are immunoactive. We are also exploring the impact of chemical modifications of the DNA backbone.

In addition to work on the immunology of DNA, I am also involved in clinical trials related to new immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as well as serological markers of disease activity.

The areas of research for which I am known nationally are anti-DNA antibodies, systemic lupus erythematosus and immunological properties of DNA. I have written textbook chapters and reviews on all these subjects.

Industry Relationships and Collaborations (What's this?)

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has a working relationship (i.e. consulting, research, and/or educational services) with the companies listed below. These relations have been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts.

• Pfizer

Representative Publications
Rutledge, HR; Jiang, W; Yang, J; Warg, LA; Schwartz, DA; Pisetsky, DS; Yang, IV. Gene expression profiles of RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with preparations of LPS differing in isolation and purity. Innate immunity. 2012;18:80-88. (2012) Abstract

Distler, JH; Akhmetshina, A; Dees, C; Jüngel, A; Stürzl, M; Gay, S; Pisetsky, DS; Schett, G; Distler, O. Induction of apoptosis in circulating angiogenic cells by microparticles. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2011;63:2067-2077. (2011) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS. Platelet microparticles: making blood a bad humor. Journal of Rheumatology. 2011;38:590-592. (2011) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS; Gauley, J; Ullal, AJ. Microparticles as a source of extracellular DNA. Immunologic Research: a selective reference to current research and practice. 2011;49:227-234. (2011) Abstract

Ullal, AJ; Reich, CF; Clowse, M; Criscione-Schreiber, LG; Tochacek, M; Monestier, M; Pisetsky, DS. Microparticles as antigenic targets of antibodies to DNA and nucleosomes in systemic lupus erythematosus. Journal of Autoimmunity. 2011;36:173-180. (2011) Abstract

Beyer, C; Pisetsky, DS. The role of microparticles in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. Nature Reviews. Rheumatology. 2010;6:21-29. (2010) Abstract

Gauley, J; Pisetsky, DS. The release of microparticles by RAW 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with TLR ligands. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2010;87:1115-1123. (2010) Abstract

Grundtman, C; Bruton, J; Yamada, T; Ostberg, T; Pisetsky, DS; Harris, HE; Andersson, U; Lundberg, IE; Westerblad, H. Effects of HMGB1 on in vitro responses of isolated muscle fibers and functional aspects in skeletal muscles of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. The FASEB Journal. 2010;24:570-578. (2010) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS. Charlie's List. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2010;153:344. (2010) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS. HMGB1: a dangerous player in lupus pathogenesis. Journal of Rheumatology. 2010;37:689-691. (2010) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS. The role of HMGB1 in efferocytosis: when the dead go unburied. Focus on "HMGB1 inhibits macrophage activity in efferocytosis through binding to the alphavbeta3-integrin". American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology. 2010;299:C1253-C1255. (2010) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS; Lipsky, PE. Microparticles as autoadjuvants in the pathogenesis of SLE. Nature Reviews. Rheumatology. 2010;6:368-372. (2010) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS; Ullal, AJ. The blood nucleome in the pathogenesis of SLE. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2010;10:35-37. (2010) Abstract

Ullal, AJ; Pisetsky, DS. The release of microparticles by Jurkat leukemia T cells treated with staurosporine and related kinase inhibitors to induce apoptosis. Apoptosis: an international journal on programmed cell death. 2010;15:586-596. (2010) Abstract

Ullal, AJ; Pisetsky, DS; Reich, CF. Use of SYTO 13, a fluorescent dye binding nucleic acids, for the detection of microparticles in in vitro systems. Cytometry Part A. 2010;77:294-301. (2010) Abstract

Crowley, SD; Vasievich, MP; Ruiz, P; Gould, SK; Parsons, KK; Pazmino, AK; Facemire, C; Chen, BJ; Kim, HS; Tran, TT; Pisetsky, DS; Barisoni, L; Prieto-Carrasquero, MC; Jeansson, M; Foster, MH; Coffman, TM. Glomerular type 1 angiotensin receptors augment kidney injury and inflammation in murine autoimmune nephritis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2009;119:943-953. (2009) Abstract

Gauley, J; Pisetsky, DS. The translocation of HMGB1 during cell activation and cell death. Autoimmunity. 2009;42:299-301. (2009) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS. Microparticles as biomarkers in autoimmunity: from dust bin to center stage. Arthritis Research and Therapy. 2009;11:135. (2009) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS; Rönnblom, L. Systemic lupus erythematosus: a matter of life and death. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2009;60:1567-1570. (2009) Abstract

Pisetsky, DS; Vrabie, IA. Antibodies to DNA: infection or genetics?. Lupus. 2009;18:1176-1180. (2009) Abstract

Reich, CF; Pisetsky, DS. The content of DNA and RNA in microparticles released by Jurkat and HL-60 cells undergoing in vitro apoptosis. Experimental Cell Research. 2009;315:760-768. (2009) Abstract

Su, KY; Pisetsky, DS. The role of extracellular DNA in autoimmunity in SLE. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. 2009;70:175-183. (2009) Abstract