The University of Oklahoma
Health Sciences Center
Department of Medicine
825 NE 13th St, Rm 24
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Education:
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Jordan
MD, 1998
Clinical/Research Interests:
My current work focuses on the role of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway in the regulation of T-cell DNA methylation in lupus. DNA methylating enzymes, especially dnmt1, are in part regulated by MEK/ERK signaling. We are therefore developing a transgenic mouse line that overexpresses a dominant negative MEK in T cells. These mice show reduced dnmt1 expression and overexpression of the methylation-sensitive genes in T cells. In addition, female mice expressing dominant negative MEK develop anti-dsDNA antibodies that are lupus specific.
Select Publications:
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Sawalha AH, Potts R, Schmid WR, Scofield RH, Harley JB. The genetics of primary Sjögren's syndrome. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2003 Aug;5(4):324-32.
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Sawalha AH, Schmid WR, Binder SR, Bacino DK, Harley JB. Association between systemic lupus erythematosus and Helicobacter pylori seronegativity. J Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;31(8):1546-50.
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Sawalha AH, Harley JB. Antinuclear autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2004 Sep;16(5):534-40.
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Sawalha AH, Saint S, Ike RW, Bronze MS. Clinical problem-solving. Still consider the source. N Engl J Med. 2005 Oct 6;353(14):1503-7.
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Sawalha AH, Jeffries M. Defective DNA methylation and CD70 overexpression in CD4+ T cells in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. Eur J Immunol. 2007 May;37(5):1407-13.
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Sestak AL, Nath SK, Sawalha AH, Harley JB. Current status of lupus genetics. Arthritis Res Ther. 2007;9(3):210.