Julian L. Ambrus, Jr. MD

Julian Ambrus, Jr.

Julian L. Ambrus, Jr.
MD

Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Autoimmunity; Immunology; Rheumatology

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



Professional Summary:

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)
  • Assistant Attending Physician, Barnes Hospital (1989–1992)
  • Medical Fellow, NIH-National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (1982–1985)
  • Chief Resident, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1981–1982)
  • Medical Resident, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1980–1982)
  • Medical Intern, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1979–1980)
See all (3 more)

Awards and Honors:

  • Visionary Innovator Award (2013)
  • 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
See all (2 more)

Patents:

  • 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)
  • HIV chemokines Chemokine produced by HIV (1999)

Journal Articles:

See all (103 more)

Abstracts:

  • 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?. The South Pacific Organ Procurement Society, (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