Jonathan Graf, MD
Graf is interested in translational research, moving laboratory discoveries into the clinic to help patients. He directs the UCSF Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Observational Cohort, which has enrolled more than 830 patients at UCSF and ZSFG. The cohort collects clinical information and blood samples from participants, making this information available to researchers at UCSF and beyond and jump-starting investigations that seek to improve treatment of patients with RA.
His own research focuses on cardiovascular risk in RA patients. "The inflammatory response is great if you’re bitten by a tiger, but becomes maladaptive if it persists beyond an acute crisis," said Graf. RA patients have chronic inflammation, which damages the body, including the lining of blood vessels – which is linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Even RA patients whose joint swelling is well controlled appear to be at increased risk. He and his colleagues are testing whether offering advanced therapies to patients currently on standard medications leads to improved blood vessel function.
Interests: Rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular risk, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, immunology, auto-immunity