Daniel Robert Goldstein MBBS

Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and of Immunobiology

Biographical Info

As a transplant physician, I have investigated the mechanisms and consequences of innate immune activation after organ transplantation. My laboratory was the first to demonstrate that Toll like receptor signaling via MyD88 accelerated the tempo of acute transplant rejection (JCI, 2003, AJT, 2004) and impaired transplant tolerance (JI, 2006, JASN, 2008). These were some of the first studies to show that Toll like receptors activate inflammation in sterile in vivo models. The activators of the innate immune system after transplantation have remained elusive. We recently discovered that haptoglobin stimulates innate immunity to induce inflammation after organ transplantation (JCI, 2012). As a result of our work some laboratories and pharmaceutical companies are targeting innate immune pathways to reduce inflammation after organ transplantation.

I am also interested in how aging impacts immunity, initially to determine if older transplant recipients exhibit altered immune responses to transplantation. My laboratory challenged the paradigm that declining immune function is responsible for age-associated disorders. In murine viral infection models, we determined that exaggerated IL-17 production by NKT cells induces lethal immune pathology (Cell Host and Microbe, 2009). In murine vascular models, we demonstrated that elevated inflammatory responses by vascular smooth muscle cells may predispose to atherosclerosis (ATVB, 2012). Finally, in murine transplant models we documented that enhanced responses by naïve CD8⁺ T cells may impair immune tolerance with aging (JI, 2011). In sum, we have made innovative findings, challenging current paradigms, that elevated immune responses explain age-associated phenotypes.

Education & Training

M.B.B.S.

University of London (1992)

Resident

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Internal Medicine (1993 - 1996)

Fellow

University of Alabama- Birmingham, Cardiology

Fellow

University of Alabama- Birmingham, Heart Failure/Transplantation

Board Certification

Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology, Board Certified  (2010)

Board Certification

Cardiovascular Disease, Board Certified  (2000)

Board Certification

Internal Medicine, Board Certified  (1996)

Honors & Recognition

• Member
  American Society of Clinical Investigation (2010)
• Basic Scientist Award
  American Society of Tansplantation (2007)
• Established Investigator Award
  American Heart Association (2009)
• NIA Mid Career Development Award
  National Institute on Aging (2008)

Professional Service

• Study section MEMBER, NIH (10/1/2008 - 6/30/2012)
• (07/01/2009 - 6/30/2013)