Lupus nephritis is the most common serious complication of lupus. Lupus nephritis can be seen in up to 40% of lupus patients and is more common in pediatric and minority populations. My research focus is to understanding basic signaling mechanisms leading to lupus nephritis. The need for further basic understanding of lupus nephritis is exemplified by the fact that only one new medication has been approved for lupus in the last 50 years and is not indicated for lupus nephritis. Therefore, my work focuses on two distinct pathways to better define this complex disease state. The first is to evaluate the MyD88 signaling pathways in murine lupus. I am assessing several upstream receptors using a reductionist approach and genetic manipulation to determine the roles of TL9, TLR7, and IL-1 signaling on lupus pathogenesis and lupus nephritis. In a secondary project, we are evaluating the interaction between the renal parenchyma and cellular infiltrates to better understand tissue specific effects of autoimmunity in the setting of lupus nephritis.
- BS, University of Maryland, 2003
- PhD, University of Pittsburgh, 2009
- MD, University of Pittsburgh, 2011
- Residency, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Clinical Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 2015
Education & Training
Tilstra JS, Lienesch DW. Rheumatoid nodules. Dermatol Clin. 2015; 33: 361-371.
Tilstra JS, Gaddy DF, Zhao J, Davé SH, Niedernhofer LJ, Plevy SE, Robbins PD. Pharmacologic IKK/NF-?B inhibition causes antigen presenting cells to undergo TNFa dependent ROS-mediated programmed cell death. Sci Rep. 2014; 4: 3631.
Tilstra JS, Robinson AR, Robinson AR, Wang J, Gregg SQ, Clauson CL, Reay DP, Nasto LA, St Croix CM, Usas A, Vo N, Huard J, Clemens PR, Stolz DB, Guttridge DC, Watkins SC, Garinis GA, Wang Y, Nidernhofer LJ, Robbins PD. NF-?B inhibition delays DNA damage-induced senescence and aging in mice. J Clin Invest. 2012; 22: 2601-12.
Tilstra JS, Clauson CL, Niedernhofer LJ, Robbins PD. NF-?B in Aging and Disease. Aging Dis. 2011; 2: 449-65.
Nasto LA, Seo HY, Robinson AR, Tilstra JS, Clauson CL, Sowa GA, Ngo K, Dong Q, Pola E, Lee JY, Niedernhofer LJ, Kang JD, Robbins PD, Vo NV. ISSLS prize winner: inhibition of NF-?B activity ameliorates age-associated disc degeneration in a mouse model of accelerated aging. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2012; 37: 1819-25.
Lavasani M, Robinson AR, Lu A, Song M, Feduska JM, Ahani B, Tilstra JS, Feldman CH, Robbins PD, Niedernhofer LJ, Huard J. Muscle-derived stem/progenitor cell dysfunction limits healthspan and lifespan in a murine progeria model. Nat Commun. 2012; 3: 608.
Lu A, Proto JD, Guo L, Tang Y, Lavasani M, Tilstra JS, Niedernhofer LJ, Wang B, Guttridge DC, Robbins PD, Huard J. NF-?B negatively impacts the myogenic potential of muscle-derived stem cells. Mol Ther. 2012; 3: 661-668.
Robinson, A.R., Yousefzadeh, M.J., Rozgaja, T.A., Wang, J., Li, X., Tilstra, J.S., Feldman, C.H., Gregg, S.Q., Johnson, C.H., Skoda, E.M., Frantz, M.C., Bell-Temin, H., Pope-Varsalona, H., Gurkar, A.U., et al. Spontaneous DNA damage to the nuclear genome promotes senescence, redox imbalance and aging. Redox Biol. 2018; 17: 259-273.
- Watson Humanism Honor Society, UPSOM, 2010
- Alpha Omega Alpha, UPSOM, 2011
- Caplan Award, UPMC Rheumatology Fellowship Program Research Award, 2016
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Basic Science Research Award: Fellows Category: Oral presenter, 2016
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine Research Day, Basic Science Research Award: Best Poster Fellows Category: Oral presenter at Tumor Transplant and Tolerance Retreat, 2016
- FOCIS 2017, Travel Award Recipient: Oral presenter
- University of Pittsburgh, Postdoctoral Association: Best Poster Presentation: Postdoctoral Data & Dine Symposium
