Timothy Quan, M.D.

Instructor Internal Medicine
Rheumatology

Research Activities

We seek to understand the role of viruses in inducing autoimmune pathology. A main focus of our efforts is the role of Epstein Barr virus in SLE. Increased seroprevalence of EBV has been demonstrated in lupus patients compared to controls and we have demonstrated elevated EBV viral loads in the periphery of patients with SLE. An important goal for us is to understand the cause and effects of elevated viral loads in relationship to lupus. Our laboratory investigates this relationship using immunologic, molecular and cellular techniques. We have demonstrated that EBV can induce IFN-alpha production from plasmacytoid dendritic cells through an MHC class II mechanism. IFN–alpha has been shown to be a key player in inducing autoimmune disease. Our studies support an important role for EBV in perpetuating or initiating autoimmune disease.

In a separate line of investigation, we study the biology of fibrocytes, a blood-borne cell with inflammatory and fibrogenic properties. We are characterizing these cells in both human and animal models. We are exploring the role of these cells in normal and pathologic fibrosis.

Selected Publications

Kang*, I., Quan*, T., Nolasco, H., Park, S.H., Hong, S.H., Crouch, J., Howe, J.G., Craft, J.  Defective control of latent EBV infection in systemic lupus erythematosus.  The Journal of Immunology, 172:1287-1294, 2004. (* joint first authors)

Quan, T., Cowper, S., Wu, S., Bockenstedt, L., Bucala, R. Circulating fibrocytes: collagen-secreting cells of the peripheral blood. The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology 36:598-606, 2004.

Kang, I., Siperstein, R., Quan, T., Breitenstein, ML. Utility of age, gender, and ANA titer and pattern as predictors of anti-ENA and -dsDNA antibodies. Clinical Rheumatology, 23:509-515, 2004.

Quan, T., Cowper, S., Bucala, R., The role of circulating fibrocytes in fibrosis.  Current Reports in Rheumatology, 8(2):145-50, 2006.

Quan, T., Bucala, R.  Culture and analysis of circulating fibrocytes. Arthritis Research Methods and Protocols, Vol 1 (ed. Cope), Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 135:423-433, 2007.

Lab Members

Technicians
Robert Roman	(203) 737-4240
Benjamin Rudenga	(203) 737-4240

Contact

Campus Address
300 Cedar Street
TAC S-425

Mailing Address
Yale University School of Medicine
P.O. Box 208031
New Haven, CT 06520-8031

E-mail
tim.quan@yale.edu

Office Phone
(203) 785-2453

Fax
(203) 785-7053