Department of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh

Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
S700 Biomedical Science Tower
3500 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: (412) 383-8000

Dana P. Ascherman, MD
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Assistant Professor of Medicine
Office: S700 Biomedical Science Tower
3500 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
 
Phone: 412-383-8734
Fax: 412-648-8864
E-mail: ascher@pitt.edu
Education
B.A., Harvard University, 1987
M.D., Stanford University, 1992
Training
Internship, Georgetown University, 1994
Fellowship, Georgetown University, 1998
Area of Specialization/Research Interest  
Cellular mechanisms of autoimmunity
 
Profile
Dr. Ascherman’s research is currently focused on triggers of autoimmune muscle destruction in polymyositis. Specific goals include the isolation and characterization of Jo-1-reactive T cells in polymyositis patients possessing antibodies against histidyl-tRNA synthetase (Jo-1). Through a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, this work should clarify the pathogenic role of such antigen-specific T cells in Jo-1+ polymyositis patients and potentially set the stage for immunotherapeutic strategies that include altered peptide ligands and TCR-based vaccines.
Recent Grants
Title: Role of Jo-1 in the Immunopathogenesis of Polymyositis: Development of a Mouse Model
Role: Principal Investigator
Amount: 100,000
Funding Agency: NIH
Start Year: 2004
End Year: 2006
Title: Characteration of Jo-1-Specific T Cell Responses in Polyomyositis
Role: Principle Investigator
Amount: 370,000
Funding Agency: Arthritis Foundation
Start Year: 2003
End Year: 2008
Title: Jo-1-specific T Cell Responses in Polyomyositis
Role: Principle Investigator
Amount: 602,222
Funding Agency: NIH
Start Year: 2003
End Year: 2008
For Pub Med search results, click here.