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Thomas Jefferson University - Sergio A. Jimenez, M.D.
Sergio A. Jimenez, M.D.

Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology
Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson Medical College
Department of Dermatology
and Cutaneous Biology
Professor

Co-Director
Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine

Director, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases

Director, The Scleroderma Center

Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Secondary Appointment)
Mailing Address
233 South 10th Street,
Suite 509 BLSB
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
United States
Contact Information
Phone: (215) 503-5042
Fax: (215) 923-4649
Sergio.Jimenez@jefferson.edu
Qualifications
Education and Degrees:

1957-1959 - B.S. National University of San Marcos, School of Sciences, Lima, Peru.

1959-1964 - M.D. Magna Cum Laude, National University of San Marcos, School of Medicine, Lima, Peru.

1984 - M.S. Honoris Cause, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Post Graduate Training:

1965-1966 - Intern-Rotating, Teaching University Hospitals, Lima, Peru.

1966-1967 - Intern - Medicine I, Philadelphia General Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Service, Philadelphia, PA.

1967-1969 - Resident - Internal Medicine, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

1969-1971 - Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Biochemistry of Collagen, Clinical Research Center, Philadelphia General Hospital. Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Darwin J. Prockop, Director.

1972-1973 - Rheumatology Fellowship, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. Drs. Joseph L. Hollander and Allen R. Myers.

Fellowship Appointments:

1964-1965 - Research Fellowship, Department of Medicine, National University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru.

1965-1966 - Research Associate, National Institute of Andean Biology, Lima, Peru.

1971-1972 - Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, The Arthritis Foundation, Biosynthesis of Collagen, Clinical Research Center, Philadelphia General Hospital, Dr. Darwin J. Prockop, Director.

Faculty Appointments:

1963-1965 - Instructor in Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University of San Marcos, School of Medicine, Lima, Peru.

1973-1974 - Associate in Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

1974-1980 - Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

1978-1980 - Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

1980-1986 - Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

1986-1987 - Professor of Medicine and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

1987-1992 - Professor of Medicine and Director, Rheumatology Research, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

From 1987 - Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

1992-2007 - Director, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

1992-2007 - The Dorrance H. Hamilton Professor of Medicine.

From 2007 - Director, Division of Connective Tissue Diseases and Professor, Department of Dermatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

Co-Director, Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.


Expertise and Research Interests
Dr. Jimenez's research activities have focused on the application of biochemical, molecular biological, and genetic approaches to the study of Scleroderma, fibrotic disorders, and Osteoarthritis. His major contributions have been the identification of mechanisms of cytokine regulation of collagen gene expression and of the interactions between inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, the study of the role of transforming growth factor in tissue fibrosis, the identification of cartilage gene mutations in Osteoarthritis, and the demonstration of microchimeric fetal cells in affected tissues from Scleroderma patients supporting the hypothesis that fetal cell transfer across the placenta during pregnancy may cause the disease.

The goals of Dr. Jimenez's current research interests are to unravel the early events responsible for the initiation of the fibrotic process in systemic sclerosis, focusing on the role of two novel proteins, allograft inflammatory factor-1 and caveolin-1, and to study the role of macrophages as initiators of this process through their interactions with environmental or infectious agents.
Keywords
Systemic Sclerosis, Scleroderma, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, Fibrosing Disorders, Cytokines, Transforming Growth Factor, Caveolin, Fibroblasts, Macrophages.
Languages
Spanish
Publications
  • Recent publications (last 5 years) selected from a total of 300 peer-reviewed papers and 100 book chapters and editorials.

  • 2009:

  • Herrero-Beaumont G, Roman-Blas JA, Castañeda S, Jimenez SA. Primary Osteoarthritis no longer primary: Three subsets with distinct etiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics. Semin Arthritis Rheum (in press 2009).

  • Hou Y, Rabquer BJ, Jaffe ML, Del Galdo F, Jimenez SA, Haines GK, Seibold JR, Barr WG, Massa MC, Koch AE. Junctional adhesion molecule-A is abnormally expressed in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis skin and mediates myeloid cell adhesion. Ann Rheum Dis 2009 Jan 19. [Epub ahead of print].

  • Wermuth PJ, Del Galdo F, Jimenez SA. Induction of profibrotic cytokines and growth factors in normal human peripheral blood monocytes by gadolinium contrast agents. Arthritis Rheum 60:1508-18, 2009.

  • Newton B, Jimenez SA. Bridging the gap between gadolinium based contrast agent structure and the mechanisms underlying NSF. J Magn Res Imag (in press 2009).

  • Schulz SW, OBrien M, Maqsood M, Sandorfi N, Del Galdo F, Jimenez SA. Improvement of severe Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)-associated gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) following immunosuppressive treatment with intravenous cyclophosphamide. J Rheum (in press 2009).

  • Rabquer BJ, Hou Y, Del Galdo F, Kenneth HG-III, Gerber ML, Jimenez SA, Seibold JR, Koch AE. The proadhesive phenotype of systemic sclerosis skin promotes myeloid cell adhesion via ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Rheumatology 2009;48:734-40.

  • Sotgia F, Del Galdo F, Casimiro MC, Bonuccelli G, Mercier I, Whitaker-Menezes D, Daumer KM, Zhou J, Wang C, Katiyar S, Xu H, Bosco E, Quong AA, Aronow B, Witkiewicz AK, Minetti C, Frank PG, Jimenez SA, Knudsen ES, Pestell RG, Lisanti MP. Caveolin-1 (-/-) Null Mammary Stromal Fibroblasts Share Characteristics with Human Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Am J Pathol 174:746-61,2009.

  • 2008

  • Jimenez SA, Rosenbloom J. Angiotensin II blockade in Marfans Syndrome. New Engl J Med (correspondence) 359:1732-1733, 2008.

  • Schulz SW, Bober M, Johnson C, Braverman N, Jimenez SA. Maternal Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Offspring Chondrodysplasia Punctata. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2008 Dec 23. [Epub ahead of print].

  • Rosenbloom J, Jimenez SA. Molecular ablation of TGF-² signaling pathways by tyrosine kinase inhibition: The coming of a promising new era in the treatment of tissue fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum 58: 2219-2224, 2008.

  • Del Galdo F, Lisanti MP, Jimenez SA. Caveolin-1, TGF-² receptor internalization, and the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheum 20:713-719, 2008. Invited Revie

  • Rosenbloom J, Jimenez SA. Molecular ablation of TGF-b signaling pathways by tyrosine kinase inhibition: The coming of a promising new era in the treatment of tissue fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum 58:2219-2224, 2008. Invited Editorial

  • Del Galdo F, Sotgia F, de Almeida C, Jasmin JF, Musick M, Lisanti MP, Jimenez SA. Decreased expression of caveolin-1 in systemic sclerosis: crucial role in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum 58:2854-2865, 2008.

  • Derk CT, Huaman G, Jimenez SA. A retrospective randomly selected cohort study of D-penicillamine treatment in rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis of recent onset. Brit J Dermatol 158:1063-1068, 2008.

  • Del Galdo F, Sotgia F, de Almeida C, Jasmin JF, Musick M, Lisanti MP, Jimenez SA. Decreased expression of caveolin-1 in systemic sclerosis: crucial role in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum 58:2854-2865, 2008.

  • Roman-Blas J, Jimenez SA. Targeting NF-ºB: A Promising Molecular Therapy in Inflammatory Arthritis. Int Rev Immun (In Press 2008).

  • Jimenez SA. Update on Scleroderma. eMedicine, 2008.

  • 2007:

  • Del Galdo F, Jimenez SA. T cells expressing allograft inflammatory factor 1 display increased chemotaxis and induce a profibrotic phenotype in normal fibroblasts in vitro, Arthritis Rheum, 56:3478-3488, 2007.

  • Piera-Velazquez S, Hawkins DF, Whitecavage MK, Colter DC, Jimenez SA, Stokes DA. Regulation of the human SOX9 promoter by Sp1 and CREB, Exp Cell Res, 313:1069-1079, 2007.

  • Roman-Blas JA, Stokes DG, Jimenez SA. Modulation of TGF-² signaling by proinflammatory cytokines in articular chondrocytes, Osteoarthritis Cart, 15:1367-1377, 2007.

  • Derk CT and Jimenez SA. Acute myocardial infarction in systemic sclerosis patients. Clin Rheumatol 26:965-968, 2007.

  • Piera-Velazquez S, Sandorfi N, Jimenez SA. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy: Clinical Aspects. SkinMed 6:24-27, 2007.

  • Piera-Velazquez S, Hawkins DF, Whitecavage MK, Colter DC, Jimenez SA, Stokes DA. Regulation of the human Sox9 promoter by Sp1 and CREB. Exp Cell Res 313:1069-1079, 2007.

  • Otieno FG, Lopez AM, Jimenez SA, Gentiletti J, Artlett CM. Allograft inflammatory factor-1 and tumor necrosis factor single nucleotide polymorphisms in system sclerosis. Tissue Antigens 69:583-591, 2007.

  • Shah RM, Jimenez SA, and Wechsler R. Significance of ground-glass opacity on HRCT in long-term follow-up of patients with systemic sclerosis. J Thoracic Imag. 22:120-124, 2007.

  • Walker UA, Tyndall A, Jimenez SA, and Mas AJ. Clinical risk assessment of organ manifestations in systemic sclerosis: A report from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research group database. Ann Rheum Dis 66:754-763, 2007.

  • Kypriotou M, Chadjichristos C, Christo, Widom R, Beauchef G, Ranard E, Jimenez SA, Korn J, Maquart F-X, Oddos T, Von Stetten O, Pujol J-P and Galera P. Human collagen-Krox (hc-Krox) up-regulates type I collagen expression in normal and scleroderma fibroblasts through interaction with Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors. J Biol Chem 282:32000-32014, 2007.

  • 2006:

  • Derk CT and Jimenez SA. Statins and the vasculopathy of systemic sclerosis: Potential therapeutic agents? Autoimmunity Rev 5:25-32, 2006.

  • Mendoza FA, Artlett CM, Sandorfi N, Latinis K, Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Description of 12 cases of Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 35:238-249, 2006.

  • Louneva N, Huaman G, Fertala J, Jimenez SA. Inhibition of systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblast type I collagen production and gene expression by simvastatin. Arthritis Rheum 54: 1298-1308, 2006.

  • Derk CT, Rasheed M, Artlett CM and Jimenez SA. A cohort study of cancer incidence in systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatology 33:1113-1116, 2006.

  • Del Galdo F, Maul, GG, Jimenez SA, Artlett CM. Expression of allograft inflammatory factor-1 in tissues from patients with systemic sclerosis and in vitro differential expression of its isoforms in response to transforming growth factor-². Arthritis Rheum 54:2616-2625, 2006.

  • Roman-Blas J, Jimenez SA. NF-ºB as potential therapeutic target in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis Cart 14:839-848, 2006.

  • Derk CT, Artlett CM, Jimenez SA. Morbidity and mortality of patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis after the age of 75 : a nested case-control study. Clin Rheumatol 25:821-824, 2006.

  • Del Galdo F, Artlett CM, Jimenez S. Role of allograft inflammatory factor 1 in systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheum 18:588-593, 2006.

  • Jimenez SA, Koenig AS, OBrien M. Update on Scleroderma. eMedicine, 2006.

  • 2005:

  • Derk CT, Rasheed M, Spiegel JR, Jimenez SA. Increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in patients with systemic sclerosis. J Rheum 32:637-641, 2005.

  • Sandorfi N and Jimenez SA. Scleroderma fibroblasts survival in AKTion. J Invest Dermatol 124:viii-xi, 2005.

  • Taylor R, Levine JM, Jimenez S. Case 35-2004: Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. New Engl J Med 352:1723-1724, 2005.

  • Colter DC, Piera-Velazquez S, Hawkins DF, Whitecavage MK, Jimenez SA, Stokes DG. Regulation of the human Sox9 promoter by the CCAAT-binding factor. Matrix Biology 24:185-197, 2005.

  • Pritzker KPH, Gay S, Jimenez SA, Ostegaard K, Pelletier JP, Revell PA, Salter D, van den Berg WB. Osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology: grading and staging. Osteoarthritis Cart 14:13-29, 2005.

  • Gentiletti J, McCloskey LJ, Artlett CM, Peters J, Jimenez SA, Christner PJ. Demonstration of autoimmunity in the tight skin-2 mouse: A model for Scleroderma. J Immunol 175: 2418-2426, 2005.

  • Steplewski A, Brittingham R, Jimenez SA, Fertala A. Single amino acid substitutions in the C-terminus of collagen II alter its affinity for collagen IX. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 335:749-755, 2005.

  • Sandorfi N, Louneva N, Hitraya E, Hajnoczky G, Saitta B, and Jimenez SA. Inhibition of collagen gene expression in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts by mithramycin. Ann Rheum Dis 64:1685-1691, 2005.

  • Jimenez SA, Koenig A, and Cronin P. Update on Scleroderma. eMedicine, 2005.

  • 2004:

  • Cicchillitti L, Jimenez SA, Sala A, Saitta B. B-Myb acts as a repressor of human COL1A1 collagen gene expression by interacting with Sp1 and CBF factors in scleroderma fibroblasts, Biochem J, 378:609-616, 2004.

  • Coimbra IB, Jimenez SA, Hawkins DF, Piera-Velazquez S, Stokes DG. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha expression in human normal and osteoarthritic chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis Cart 12:336-345, 2004.

  • Jimenez SA and Derk CT. Following the molecular pathways toward an understanding of the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis. Ann Int Med 140:37-50, 2004.

  • Sawaya HB, Jimenez SA, Artlett CM. Quantitative analysis of fetal microchimeric cells in clinically affected and unaffected skin of patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 43:965-968, 2004.

  • Levine JM, Taylor RA, Elman LB, Bird SH, Lavi E, Stolzenberg ED, McGarvey ML, Asbury AK, Jimenez SA. Involvement of skeletal muscle in dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis (Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy). Muscle & Nerve 30: 569-577, 2004.

  • Jimenez SA, Artlett CM, Sandorfi N, Derk C, Latinis K, Sawaya H, Haddad R, Shanahan JC. Dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis (Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy): A clinical description of nine new cases and study of inflammatory cells and transforming growth factor ²-1 expression in affected skin. Arthritis Rheum 50:2660-2666, 2004.

  • Markova MS, Zeskand J, McEntee B, Rothstein J, Jimenez SA, Siracusa LD. A role for the androgen receptor in collagen content of the skin. J Invest Dermatol 123:1052-1056, 2004.

  • Christner PJ and Jimenez SA. Animal Models of systemic sclerosis: Insights into systemic sclerosis pathogenesis and potential therapeutic approaches. Curr Opin Rheumatol 16:746-752, 2004.

  • Steplewski A, Majsterek I, McAdams E, Rucker E, Brittingham RJ, Ito H, Hirai K, Adachi E, Jimenez SA, Fertala A. Thermostability gradient in the collagen triple helix reveals its multi-domain structure. J Mol Biol 338:989-998, 2004.

  • Steplewski A, Ito H, Rucker E, Brittingham RJ, Alabyeva T, Gandhi M, Ko FK, Birk DE, Jimenez SA, Fertala A. Position of single amino acid substitutions in the collagen triple helix determines their effect on structure of collagen fibrils. J Struct Biol 148:326-337, 2004.

  • Jimenez SA and Artlett CM. Microchimerism and systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 17:86-90, 2004.

  • Heyt GJ, Oh MK, Alemzadeh N, Rivera S, Jimenez SA, Rattan S, Cohen S, DeMarino AJ. Impaired rectoanal inhibitory response in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): an association with fecal incontinence. Dig Dis Sci 49:1040-45, 2004.

Individual Expertise profile of Sergio A. Jimenez, M.D., Copyright © Sergio A. Jimenez, M.D..
Last Updated by Sergio Jimenez, M.D. : Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:28:25 PM


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