My research revolves around IL-14 and its role in immunological memory. Studies delve into 3 areas - vaccination, autoimmunity and lymphoid malignancies. The majority of my current work involves studies examining early events in Sjogren‘s syndrome. We have identified new autoantibodies that occur early in the course of the disease. We are examining mediators involved in the early injury to the salivary and lacrimal glands. We are studying events that result in the transition from the autoimmune disease to lymphoma.
Education and Training:
MD, Medicine, Jefferson Medical College (1979)
BA, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University (1975)
Employment:
Professor of Medicine, Medicine (2015-present)
Director, Systemic Autoimmune Disease Research Center of WNY (1998-present)
Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1996-present)
Practicing Physician, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1996-present)
Associate Physician, Barnes Hospital (1992–1996)
Associate Professor of Pathology, Pathology, WUSM Washington Univeristy School of Medicine (1992–1996)
Assistant Attending, Jewish Hospital of St. Louis (1989–1996)
Associate Professor, Medicine, Division of Rheumatology Washington University School of Medicine (1989–1996)
Laureate Award American College of Physicians (2010)
PHS Letter of Commendation (1989)
Dr. Norman Chassin Award for Outstanding Intern in Internal Medicine (1980)
Senior Biology Division (1970)
Research Expertise:
Immunology: Study of immunological memory in autoimmune diseaese, cancer and vaccine biology
Grants and Sponsored Research:
January 2017–December 2022 Novel Role for the P2Y2 Receptor in the Autoimmune Disease Sjögren’s Syndrome NIDCR Role: Co-Investigator
January 2018–December 2020 Cytokines in Early Sjogren's Syyndrome Amgen Role: Co-Principal Investigator
January 2018–December 2020 Investigation of anti-LTa in Sjögren’s syndrome in IL14aTG mice Genentech Role: Co-Principal Investigator
October 2012–September 2014 Role of Interleukin 14 in Sjogren's disease PHS/NIDCR Role: Principal Investigator $435,875
July 2012–September 2013 Evaluation of Autoantibodies in Sjogren's Syndrome at Various Stages of the Disease CAT Role: Principal Investigator $125,784
September 2001–July 2006 Community Based Research on Autoimmune Disease and Asthma National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Role: Co-Investigator $1,607,795
January 1996–December 2000 Analysis of IL-14 production by a Burkitt lymphoma cell line Troupe Foundation Role: Principal Investigator $100,000
January 1997–December 1998 Evaluation of immunologic tolerance in solid organ transplantation Role: Co-Principal Investigator $20,000
January 1993–December 1996 Structural analysis of HMW-BCGF NIH Role: Co-Investigator $284,452
January 1991–December 1993 Role of eicosanoids in normal and SLE B cell function GD Searle and Company Role: Co-Investigator $161,500
January 1991–December 1993 Characterization of a unique protein in common variable immunodeficiency sera March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Role: Co-Investigator $50,000
January 1992 Regulation of intracellular calcium during the induction of human B cell proliferation Arthritis Foundation - Eastern Missouri Chapter Role: Principal Investigator $30,000
Method of Diagnosing Sjogren's syndrome Three novel autoatibodies to identify patients with Sjogren's syndrome: anti-salivary gland protein 1, anti-carbonic anhydrase 6 and anti-parotid secretory protein (2014)
IL-14alpha RNA inhibitors IL-14alpha RNA inhibitors and antibodies to IL14alpha for treatment of autoimmune disease and malignancy (2007)
DNP-RNA to silence c-Myc DNP-RNA that can be used in vivo to block the transcription and translation of c-MyC (2005)
Method to remove viruses from blood Dialysis cartridge to remove blood borne viruses (1999)
Uckun FM, Myers DE, Fauci AS, Chandan-Langlie M, Ambrus JL. (1989) Leukemic B-cell precursors constitutively express functional receptors for human interleukin-1. Blood (Aug), 74(2): 761-776.
Ambrus JL, Jurgensen CH, Witzel NL, Lewis RA, Butler JL, Fauci AS. (1988) Leukotriene C4 produced by a human T-T hybridoma suppresses Ig production by human lymphocytes. J Immunol (Apr), 140(7): 2382-2388.
Ambrus JL, Ambrus JL, Chadha S, Novick D, Rubinstein M, Gopalakrishnan B, Bernstein Z, Priore RL, Chadha KC. (1997) Mechanism(S) of interferon inhibitory activity in blood from patients with AIDS and patients with lupus erythematosus with vasculitis. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol (Jun), 96(3): 255-265.
Ambrus JL, Ambrus JL, Chadha S, Novick D, Rubinstein M, Gopalakrishnan B, Bernstein Z, Priore RL, Chadha KC. (1997) Mechanism(S) of interferon inhibitory activity in blood from patients with AIDS and patients with lupus erythematosus with vasculitis. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol (Jun), 96(3): 255-265.
Jurgensen CH, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1986) Production of B cell growth factor by normal human B cells. J Immunol (Jun), 136(12): 4542-4547.
Chadha KC, Ambrus JL, Dembinski W, Ambrus Jr JL. (2004) Interferons and interferon inhibitory activity in disease and therapy. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) (Apr), 229(4): 285-290.
Chadha KC, Ambrus JL, Dembinski W, Ambrus Jr JL. (2004) Interferons and interferon inhibitory activity in disease and therapy. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) (Apr), 229(4): 285-290.
Chadha KC, Ambrus JL, Dembinski W, Ambrus Jr JL. (2004) Interferons and interferon inhibitory activity in disease and therapy. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) (Apr), 229(4): 285-290.
Ambrus JL, Chesky L, Chused T, Young KR, McFarland P, August A, Brown EJ. (1991) Intracellular signaling events associated with the induction of proliferation of normal human B lymphocytes by two different antigenically related human B cell growth factors (high molecular weight B cell growth factor (HMW-BCGF) and the complement facto. J Biol Chem (Feb), 266(6): 3702-3708.
Ambrus JL, Sridhar NR. (1997) Immunologic aspects of renal disease. JAMA (Dec), 278(22): 1938-1945.
Ambrus JL, Haneiwich S, Chesky L, McFarland P, Engler RJ. (1991) Improved in vitro antigen-specific antibody synthesis in two patients with common variable immunodeficiency taking an oral cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor (ketoprofen). J Allergy Clin Immunol (Nov), 88(5): 775-783.
Ambrus JL, Chesky L, McFarland P, Young KR, Mostowski H, August A, Chused TM. (1991) Induction of proliferation by high molecular weight B cell growth factor or low molecular weight B cell growth factor is associated with increases in intracellular calcium in different subpopulations of human B lymphocytes. Cell Immunol (May), 134(2): 314-324.
Tomita S, Ambrus JL, Volkman DJ, Longo DL, Mitsuya H, Reitz MS, Fauci AS. (1985) Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus I infection and subsequent cloning of normal human B cells. Direct responsiveness of cloned cells to recombinant interleukin 2 by differentiation in the absence of enhanced proliferation. J Exp Med (Jul), 162(1): 393-398.
Margolick JB, Ambrus JL, Volkman DJ, Fauci AS. (1986) Human T4+ lymphocytes produce a phagocytosis-inducing factor (PIF) distinct from interferon-alpha and interferon-gamma. J Immunol (Jan), 136(2): 546-554.
Bowen DL, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1986) Identification and characterization of a B cell activation factor (BCAF) produced by a human T cell line. J Immunol (Mar), 136(6): 2158-2163.
Ambrus JL, Pippin J, Joseph A, Xu C, Blumenthal D, Tamayo A, Claypool K, McCourt D, Srikiatchatochorn A, Ford RJ. (1993) Identification of a cDNA for a human high-molecular-weight B-cell growth factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Jul), 90(13): 6330-6334.
Ambrus JL, Jurgensen CH, Brown EJ, McFarland P, Fauci AS. (1988) Identification of a receptor for high molecular weight human B cell growth factor. J Immunol (Aug), 141(3): 861-869.
Ford R, Tamayo A, Martin B, Niu K, Claypool K, Cabanillas F, Ambrus J. (1995) Identification of B-cell growth factors (interleukin-14; high molecular weight-B-cell growth factors) in effusion fluids from patients with aggressive B-cell lymphomas. Blood (Jul), 86(1): 283-293.
Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1985) Human B lymphoma cell line producing B cell growth factor. J Clin Invest (Feb), 75(2): 732-739.
Ambrus CM, Anthone S, Horvath C, Kalghatgi K, Lele AS, Eapen G, Ambrus JL, Ryan AJ, Li P. (1987) Extracorporeal enzyme reactors for depletion of phenylalanine in phenylketonuria. Ann Intern Med (Apr), 106(4): 531-537.
Ambrus JL, Dembinski W, Ambrus JL, Sykes DE, Akhter S, Kulaylat MN, Islam A, Chadha KC. (2003) Free interferon-alpha/beta receptors in the circulation of patients with adenocarcinoma. Cancer (Dec), 98(12): 2730-2733.
Ambrus JL, Dembinski W, Ambrus JL, Sykes DE, Akhter S, Kulaylat MN, Islam A, Chadha KC. (2003) Free interferon-alpha/beta receptors in the circulation of patients with adenocarcinoma. Cancer (Dec), 98(12): 2730-2733.
Goldstein H, Ambrus JL, Grove JH, Margolick JB, Fauci AS. (1987) Functional and biochemical characterization of B-cell differentiation factor (BCDF) produced by an HTLV-I-transformed human T-cell clone and demonstration of specific binding of the factor to a BCDF responsive cell line. Cell Immunol (Sep), 108(2): 343-355.
Ambrus JL, Chesky L, Stephany D, McFarland P, Mostowski H, Fauci AS. (1990) Functional studies examining the subpopulation of human B lymphocytes responding to high molecular weight B cell growth factor. J Immunol (Dec), 145(12): 3949-3955.
Peters M, Ambrus JL, Zheleznyak A, Walling D, Hoofnagle JH. (1986) Effect of interferon-alpha on immunoglobulin synthesis by human B cells. J Immunol (Nov), 137(10): 3153-3157.
Kandeel AA, Zeid M, Helm T, Lillie MA, Donahue E, Ambrus JL. (2001) Evaluation of chronic urticaria in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis. J Clin Immunol (Sep), 21(5): 335-347.
Nakagawa T, Nakagawa N, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1988) Differential effects of interleukin 2 vs B cell growth factor on human B cells. J Immunol (Jan), 140(2): 465-469.
Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1984) Diffuse histiocytic lymphoma in a patient treated with cyclophosphamide for Wegener's granulomatosis. Am J Med (Apr), 76(4): 745-747.
Goldstein H, Koerholz D, Chesky L, Fan XD, Ambrus JL. (1990) Divergent activities of protein kinases in IL-6-induced differentiation of a human B cell line. J Immunol (Aug), 145(3): 952-961.
Goldstein H, Volkman DJ, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1985) Characterization of a T4+/Leu-8+ T cell clone that directly helps B cell Ig production by secreting B cell differentiation factor. J Immunol (Jul), 135(1): 339-343.
Tullis RH, Duffin RP, Zech M, Ambrus JL. (2002) Affinity hemodialysis for antiviral therapy. I. Removal of HIV-1 from cell culture supernatants, plasma, and blood. Ther Apher (Jun), 6(3): 213-220.
Ambrus JL, Haneiwich S, Chesky L, McFarland P, Peters MG, Engler RJ. (1991) Abnormal response to a human B cell growth factor in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVI). J Allergy Clin Immunol (Jun), 87(6): 1138-1149.
Tervaert JW, van der Woude FJ, Fauci AS, Ambrus JL, Velosa J, Keane WF, Meijer S, van der Giessen M, van der Hem GK, The TH. (1989) Association between active Wegener's granulomatosis and anticytoplasmic antibodies. Arch Intern Med (Nov), 149(11): 2461-2465.
Ambrus JULIAN, Contractor V, Joseph A, Long J, Blumenthal D. (1995) A Potential Role for PGE and IL-14 (HMW-BCGF) in B-Cell Hyperactivity of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Am J Ther (Dec), 2(12): 933-942.
Uckun FM, Fauci AS, Heerema NA, Song CW, Mehta SR, Gajl-Peczalska K, Chandan M, Ambrus JL. (1987) B-cell growth factor receptor expression and B-cell growth factor response of leukemic B cell precursors and B lineage lymphoid progenitor cells. Blood (Oct), 70(4): 1020-1034.
Butler JL, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1984) Characterization of monoclonal B cell growth factor (BCGF) produced by a human T-T hybridoma. J Immunol (Jul), 133(1): 251-255.
Young KR, Ambrus JL, Malbran A, Fauci AS, Tenner AJ. (1991) Complement subcomponent C1q stimulates Ig production by human B lymphocytes. J Immunol (May), 146(10): 3356-3364.
Uckun FM, Jaszcz W, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS, Gajl-Peczalska K, Song CW, Wick MR, Myers DE, Waddick K, Ledbetter JA. (1988) Detailed studies on expression and function of CD19 surface determinant by using B43 monoclonal antibody and the clinical potential of anti-CD19 immunotoxins. Blood (Jan), 71(1): 13-29.
Osur SL, Lillie MA, Chen PB, Ambrus JL, Wilson ME. (1987) Elevation of serum IgG levels and normalization of T4/T8 ratio after hepatitis in a patient with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia. J Allergy Clin Immunol (Jun), 79(6): 969-975.
Uckun FM, Fauci AS, Chandan-Langlie M, Myers DE, Ambrus JL. (1989) Detection and characterization of human high molecular weight B cell growth factor receptors on leukemic B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. J Clin Invest (Nov), 84(5): 1595-1608.
Shucard JL, Parrish J, Shucard DW, McCabe DC, Benedict RH, Ambrus J. (2004) Working memory and processing speed deficits in systemic lupus erythematosus as measured by the paced auditory serial addition test. J Int Neuropsychol Soc (Jan), 10(1): 35-45.
Nakagawa N, Nakagawa T, Volkman DJ, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS. (1987) The role of interleukin 2 in inducing Ig production in a pokeweed mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cell system. J Immunol (Feb), 138(3): 795-801.
Levy E, Ambrus J, Kahl L, Molina H, Tung K, Holers VM. (1992) T lymphocyte expression of complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21): a role in adhesive cell-cell interactions and dysregulation in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clin Exp Immunol (Nov), 90(2): 235-244.
Ambrus JL, Peters MG, Fauci AS, Brown EJ. (1990) The Ba fragment of complement factor B inhibits human B lymphocyte proliferation. J Immunol (Mar), 144(5): 1549-1553.
Peters MG, Ambrus JL, Fauci AS, Brown EJ. (1988) The Bb fragment of complement factor B acts as a B cell growth factor. J Exp Med (Oct), 168(4): 1225-1235.
Ambrus JL, Jurgensen CH, Brown EJ, Fauci AS. (1985) Purification to homogeneity of a high molecular weight human B cell growth factor; demonstration of specific binding to activated B cells; and development of a monoclonal antibody to the factor. J Exp Med (Oct), 162(4): 1319-1335.
Matteson K, Laftavi M, Case S, Leca N, Stephan RN, Shanahan T, Ambrus JL, Pankewycz O. (2003) Does IL-14 Play a Significant Role in Maintaining High Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) In High PRA Patients?. (Jan)
Professional Memberships:
American Association of Immunologists
American Federation for Clinical Research
Buffalo Academy of Medicine; President
Buffalo Allergy Society
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Presentations:
"Lessons Learned from the IL14a Transgenic Mouse" Salivary Gland Gordon Conference; NIDCR; Immunology (2015)
"Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome" Rheumatology Grand Rounds; Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Rheumatology (2013)
"Innate Immunity in Sjogren's Syndrome" CORA; CORA; Autoimmunity (2013)
"Role of Lymphotoxin and Interferon in Sjogren's Syndrome" Gordon Conference Salivary Gland biology; Federation of Biology; Sjogren's (2013)
"Early Events in Sjogren's Syndrome" American College of Rheumatology; American College of Rheumatology; Sjogren's (2012)
Service Activities:
NIH; U1 Review Panel; Review U1 grants;; Grant Reviewer (2013–present)
NIDCR; MOSS-A; Review various RO1 and R21 grants;; Grant Reviewer (2010–present)
NIDCR; Special Emphasis Panel; Review R21 and R01 grants;; Grant Reviewer (2009–present)
NIH; Special Emphasis Panel; Review various RO1 and R21 grants;; Grant Reviewer (2009–present)
NIAMS; Special Emphasis Panel; Review various RO1, RO3 and R21 grants;; Grant Reviewer (2000–present)
Committee on Appointment and Promotions to Clinical Ranks; Member (2000–present)
Medical Records Committee; Member (1997–1999)
Faculty Council; Member (1996–2000)
Hospital Computer Committee; Member (1996–2000)
School News:
In the Media:
Clinical Specialties:
Clinical Offices:
Insurance Accepted:
Contact Information
Room 8030C Gates Vascular Center 875 Ellicott Street Buffalo, New York 14203 Phone: (716) 829-2687 Fax: (716) 859-1491 jambrus@buffalo.edu