Kristina Seiffert MD
Kristina Seiffert
MD
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Dermatology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Dermatology; Immunology; Neurobiology
Professional Summary:
As a physician with clinical expertise in dermatology and a bench scientist with over 15 years of experience in cutaneous immunology, my research focuses on autoimmune disorders and neuroimmunology of the skin.
I am particularly interested in the blistering autoimmune skin disease Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), which, while rare, serves as an excellent model to investigate the basic aspects of autoimmune disease in general. The work in our laboratory is patient-based, and we have an unparalleled collection of blood samples and clinical information from over 200 individuals affected by PV enrolled in our IRB-approved studies focusing on mechanisms of autoimmunity (T effector and regulatory cells, immunoglobulin subtypes, auto-antigen and auto-antibody profiles) as well as clinical expression of disease. We have also recently applied cutting-edge atomic force microscopy technology to the investigation of antibody effects in the tissue level in PV.
Another main interest of mine is investigating the role of stress hormones and neural transmitters in skin diseases, in particular the effect of adrenaline on Langerhans cells (resident dendritic cells within the epidermis). It has long been postulated that stress can affect certain skin conditions, but only recent experimental evidence has established a role of the neuroendocrine system in cutaneous inflammation. Exploring the role of stress hormones and neural transmitters promises to affect greatly the way we view and treat many skin diseases including, but not limited to atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
As a research assistant professor in the department of dermatology I oversee the work of postdoctoral fellows, MD/PhD students and medical students involved in the day-to-day operations of our basic science laboratory. I also actively participate in dermatology resident teaching through regularly scheduled basic science journal clubs and by supervising resident research rotations in the laboratory.
Education and Training:
- Free University of Berlin Medical School (1997)
- MD, Free University of Berlin (1996)
Employment:
- Research Assistant Professor, Dermatology, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2011-present)
- Research Associate, Dermatology, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (2005–2011)
- Research Fellow, Dermatology, Cornell University Weill Medical College (1998–2005)
- Research Fellow, Dermatology, Free University of Berlin University Medical Center Benjamin Franklin (1996–1998)
- Resident, Dermatology, Free University of Berlin University Medical Center Benjamin Franklin (1996–1998)
Awards and Honors:
- Dermatology Foundation Research Fellowship (2000)
- Travel Grant- European Society for Dermatological Research (1998)
Research Expertise:
- Mechanisms of Cutaneous Autoimmunity and Neuroimmunology of the Skin
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- July 2015–June 2016
Dr. Louis Sklarow Memorial Trust
Role: Principal Investigator
$9,370
Journal Articles:
- Sajda T, Hazelton J, Patel M, Seiffert-Sinha K, Steinman L, Robinson W, Haab BB, Sinha AA, Seiffert K. (2016) Multiplexed autoantigen microarrays identify HLA as a key driver of anti-desmoglein and -non-desmoglein reactivities in pemphigus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Feb), 113(7): 1859-1864.
- Seiffert-Sinha K, Yang R, Fung CK, Lai KW, Patterson KC, Payne AS, Xi N, Sinha AA. (2014) Nanorobotic investigation identifies novel visual, structural and functional correlates of autoimmune pathology in a blistering skin disease model. PLoS One (Sep), 9(9): 106895-106895.
- Shah AA, Dey-Rao R, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA, Seiffert K. (2016) Increased oxidative stress in pemphigus vulgaris is related to disease activity and HLA-association. Autoimmunity (Feb)1-10.
- Powell JG, Grover RK, Plunkett RW, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2015) Evaluation of a Newly Available ELISA for Envoplakin Autoantibodies for the Diagnosis of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus. J Drugs Dermatol (Oct), 14(10): 1103-1106.
- Naseer SY, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2015) Detailed profiling of anti-desmoglein autoantibodies identifies anti-Dsg1 reactivity as a key driver of disease activity and clinical expression in pemphigus vulgaris. Autoimmunity (Jun), 48(4): 231-241.
- Henderson MT, Kubo JT, Desai M, David SP, Tindle H, Sinha AA, Seiffert-Sinha K, Hou L, Messina C, Saquib N, Stefanick ML, Tang JY. (2015) Smoking behavior and association of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in the Women‘s Health Initiative. J Am Acad Dermatol (Jan), 72(1): 190-191.
- Parameswaran A, Attwood K, Sato R, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2014) Identification of a new disease cluster of Pemphigus vulgaris with autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes. Br J Dermatol (Oct), 172(3): 729-738.
- Yang R, Song B, Sun Z, Lai KW, Fung CK, Patterson KC, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA, Xi N. (2014) Cellular level robotic surgery: Nanodissection of intermediate filaments in live keratinocytes. Nanomedicine (Sep), 11(1): 137-145.
- Wysong A, Ally MS, Gamba CS, Desai M, Swetter SM, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA, Stefanick ML, Tang JY. (2014) Non-melanoma skin cancer and NSAID use in women with a history of skin cancer in the Women‘s Health Initiative. Prev Med (Aug), 69: 8-12.
- Shah AA, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sirois D, Werth VP, Rengarajan B, Zrnchik W, Attwood K, Sinha AA. (2014) Development of a Disease Registry for Autoimmune Bullous Diseases: Initial Analysis of the Pemphigus Vulgaris Subset. Acta Derm Venereol (Apr), 95(1): 86-90.
- Lundin M, Chawa S, Sachdev A, Bhanusali D, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2014) Gender differences in alopecia areata. J Drugs Dermatol (Apr), 13(4): 409-413.
- Dey-Rao R, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2013) Genome-wide expression analysis suggests unique disease-promoting and disease-preventing signatures in Pemphigus vulgaris. Genes Immun (Aug), 14(8): 487-499.
- Bhanusali DG, Sachdev A, Rahmanian A, Gerlach JA, Tong JC, Seiffert, K, Sinha AA. (2013) HLA-E*0103X is associated with susceptibility to Pemphigus vulgaris. Exp Dermatol (Feb), 22(2): 108-112.
- Seiffert K, Dhandha MM, Sinha AA. (2012) Specific immunoglobulin isotypes correlate with disease activity, morphology, duration and HLA association in Pemphigus vulgaris. Autoimmunity (Nov), 45(7): 516.
- Dhandha MM, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. (2012) Specific immunoglobulin isotypes correlate with disease activity, morphology, duration and HLA association in Pemphigus vulgaris. Autoimmunity (Jul), 45(7): 516-526.
- Fung CKM, Xi N, Yang, R, Seiffert, K, Lai, K, Sinha AA. (2011) Quantitative Analysis of Human Keratinocyte Cell Elasticity Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). IEEE Trans Nanobiosci (Mar), 10(1): 9-15.
- Xi N, Fung CK, Yang R, Lai KW, Wang DH, Seiffert K, Sinha AA, Li G, Liu L. (2011) Atomic force microscopy as nanorobot. Methods Mol Biol (Jan)485-503.
- Gupta VK, Kelbel TE, Nguyen D, Melonakos KC, Murrell DF, Xie Y, Mullard A, Reed PL, Seiffert K, Sinha AA. (2011) A Globally Available Internet Based Survey of Pemphigus Vulgaris: Epidemiology and Disease Characteristics. Dermatol Clin (Jan), 29(3): 393-404.
- Coda A, Quafalijaj Hysa V, Seiffert K, Sinha AA. (2010) Peripheral Blood Gene Expression in Alopecia Areata Reveals Molecular Pathways Distinguishing Heritability, Disease, and Severity. Genes Immun (Jun), 11(7): 531-541.
- Fung CK, Seiffert K, Lai KW, Yang R, Panyard D, Zhang J, Xi N, Sinha AA. (2010) Investigation of human keratinocyte cell adhesion using atomic force microscopy. Nanomedicine (Feb), 6(1): 191-200.
- Xi N, Fung K, Yang R, Seiffert K, Lai K, Sinha AA. (2010) Bionanomanipulation Using Atomic Force Microscopy: Understanding Disease at the Molecular Level Using a Nanorobot. IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine (Jan), 4(1): 9-12.
- Bender A, Zapolanski T, Watkins S, Khosraviani A, Seiffert K, Ding W, Wagner JA, Granstein RD. (2008) Tetracycline suppresses ATP gamma S-induced CXCL8 and CXCL1 production by the human dermal microvascular endothelial cell-1 (HMEC-1) cell line and primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Exp Dermatol (Sep), 17(9): 752-760.
- Seiffert K, Seltmann H, Fritsch M, Zouboulis CC. (2007) Inhibition of 5alpha-reductase activity in SZ95 sebocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro. Horm Metab Res (Feb), 39(2): 141-148.
- Seiffert K, Granstein RD. (2006) Neuroendocrine regulation of skin dendritic cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci (Nov), 1088: 195-206.
- Peters EM, Ericson ME, Hosoi J, Seiffert K, Hordinsky MK, Ansel JC, Paus R, Scholzen TE. (2006) Neuropeptide control mechanisms in cutaneous biology: physiological and clinical significance. J Invest Dermatol (Sep), 126(9): 1937-1947.
- Seiffert K, Ding W, Wagner JA, Granstein RD. (2006) ATPgammaS enhances the production of inflammatory mediators by a human dermal endothelial cell line via purinergic receptor signaling. J Invest Dermatol (May), 126(5): 1017-1027.
- Seiffert K, Hilbert E, Schaechinger H, Zouboulis CC, Deter HC. (2005) Psychophysiological reactivity under mental stress in atopic dermatitis. Dermatology (Jan), 210(4): 286-293.
- Kodali S, Ding W, Huang J, Seiffert K, Wagner JA, Granstein RD. (2004) Vasoactive intestinal peptide modulates Langerhans cell immune function. J Immunol (Nov), 173(10): 6082-6088.
- Kodali S, Friedman I, Ding W, Seiffert K, Wagner JA, Granstein RD. (2003) Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide inhibits cutaneous immune function. Eur J Immunol (Nov), 33(11): 3070-3079.
- Ding W, Beissert S, Deng L, Miranda E, Cassetty C, Seiffert K, Campton KL, Yan Z, Murphy GF, Bluestone JA, Granstein RD. (2003) Altered cutaneous immune parameters in transgenic mice overexpressing viral IL-10 in the epidermis. J Clin Invest (Jun), 111(12): 1923-1931.
- Seiffert K, Granstein RD. (2002) Neuropeptides and neuroendocrine hormones in ultraviolet radiation-induced immunosuppression. Methods (Sep), 28(1): 97-103.
- Seiffert K, Hosoi J, Torii H, Ozawa H, Ding W, Campton K, Wagner JA, Granstein RD. (2002) Catecholamines inhibit the antigen-presenting capability of epidermal Langerhans cells. J Immunol (Jun), 168(12): 6128-6135.
- Böhm M, Schiller M, Ständer S, Seltmann H, Li Z, Brzoska T, Metze D, Schiöth HB, Skottner A, Seiffert K, Zouboulis CC, Luger TA. (2002) Evidence for expression of melanocortin-1 receptor in human sebocytes in vitro and in situ. J Invest Dermatol (Mar), 118(3): 533-539.
- Campton K, Ding W, Yan Z, Ozawa H, Seiffert K, Miranda E, Lonati A, Beissert S, Granstein RD. (2000) Tumor antigen presentation by dermal antigen-presenting cells. J Invest Dermatol (Jul), 115(1): 57-61.
- Ozawa H, Ding W, Torii H, Hosoi J, Seiffert K, Campton K, Hackett NR, Topf N, Crystal RG, Granstein RD. (1999) Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene transfer to dendritic cells or epidermal cells augments their antigen-presenting function including induction of anti-tumor immunity. J Invest Dermatol (Dec), 113(6): 999-1005.
- Casper U, Seiffert K, Dippel E, Zouboulis CC. (1998) Exfoliatio areata linguae et mucosae oris: a mucous membrane manifestation of psoriasis pustulosa?]. Hautarzt (Nov), 49(11): 850-854.
- Casper U, Seiffert K, Dippel E, Zouboulis CC. (1998) [Exfoliatio areata linguae et mucosae oris: a mucous membrane manifestation of psoriasis pustulosa?]. Hautarzt (Nov), 49(11): 850-854.
- Seiffert, K, Trautmann, Ch, Schramm, M, L.K., Bruckner-Tudermann LK, Zouboulis, Ch. (1997) Bullous Pemphoid: Unusual reduced manifestations in association with chronic unilateral leg lymphedema. Zeitschrift fur Hautkrankheiten (Jan), 72: 534-538.
Books and Book Chapters:
- Seiffert, K. (2009) Regulation of Cutaneous Immunity by Catecholamines. In: Regulation of Cutaneous Immunity by Catecholamines. Springer, 65-74.
- Seiffert K. (2008) Behavioral Medicine-Psychobiology, Psychopathology and Clinical Use. In: Atopische Dermatitis (Atopic Dermatitis). Verhaltensmedizin
- Seiffert K. (2004) Haut (Skin). In: Haut (Skin). K.J. buhling, J. Lepenies, K Witt, 379-392.
Professional Memberships:
- International Investigative Dermatology (2010–present)
- Science Alliance (New York Academy of Sciences) (2004–present)
- Society for Investigative Dermatology (2002–present)
Presentations:
- "IL-13 receptor alpha 1 downregulation as a protective mechanism and therapeutic target in Pemphigus" Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting; Society for Investigative Dermatology (2015)
- "Novel Multiplex Autoantigen Arrays for Biomarker Discovery in Skin autoimmunity" Clinical and Translational Research Colliquium; University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center; Translational Pilot Program (2013)
- "Novel Autoantigen Microarrays Identify Desmoglein and Non-Desmoglein Targets in Pempigus Vulgaris" International J.C. Bystryn Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Meeting; NIH (2010)
- "Stress and the Skin" Grand Rounds; Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, Michigan State University; Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences (2009)
- "Catecholamines and Langerhans Cells" Weill Cornell Symposium on the Science of Dermatology; Weill Cornell Medical College; Weill Cornell (2006)
- "Identification of two distinct CD8+T cell populations associated with remittent disease in Pemphigus" Society for Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting; Society for Investigative Dermatology; Society for Investigative Dermatology (2006)
- "Purinergic receptor signaling and cutanewous inflammation" Grand Rounds; New York Hospital , Cornell Medical Center (2005)
- "Regulation of Cutaneous Immunity by Catecholamines" Skin Biology Club Meeting; New York Academy of Sciences; Skin Biology Club (2002)
- "Regulation of Cutaneous Immunity by Catecholamines" Joint Meeting of the Experimental Contact Dermatitis Research Group and the American Contact Dermatitis Society; ECDRG & ACDs; ECDRG & ACDS (2002)
- "How Stress Affects the Skin: the Adrenergic System and Cutaneous Immunity" Grand Rounds, New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center; ; New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center (2001)
- "Expression of Neuropeptide Receptors by Human Sebocytes and Stimulatory effect of their Agonists on Cytokine Production" 3rd Teupitz Colloquium (2000)
- "Epinephrine and Norepinephrine inhibit the antigen presenting capability of epidermal Langerhans cells." Society of Investigative Dermatology Annual Meeting; Society of Investigative Dermatology; Society of Investigative Dermatology (2000)
- "5-alpha reductase inhibitors exhibit distinct effects on human sebocytes and keratinocytes in vitro" International Investigative Dermatology Meeting - Joint Meeting of the European, Japanese, and the American Society of Investigative Dermatology; ; International Investigative Dermatology (1998)
- "Psychophysiological reaction patterns of patients with atopic dermatitis" 6th International Congress of Dermatology and Psychiatry (1995)
Service Activities:
- Archives of Dermatologic Research; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2008–present)
- Hormone and Metabolic Research; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2005–present)
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2005–present)