Joseph Craft, MD
Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) and Professor of ImmunobiologyCards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine, Internal Medicine: Rheumatology
Program Director, Investigative Medicine, Internal Medicine: Rheumatology
About
Titles
Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) and Professor of Immunobiology
Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine, Internal Medicine: Rheumatology; Program Director, Investigative Medicine, Internal Medicine: Rheumatology
Biography
Dr. Craft is an AOA graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He did medical and immunology training at Yale and is currently Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine and Professor of Immunobiology. He directs a laboratory devoted to understanding of host responses to pathogen challenge and to autoimmunity. His lab was among the 4 that simultaneously dissected the transcriptional regulation of T follicular helper cells, a finding listed among the most significant milestone discoveries in T cell development by the journal Nature and has made sentinel discoveries defining targets of the immune response in lupus and the role of T cells in driving pathogenic autoantibody and mechanisms of T cell mediate tissue damage in that disease. He has trained over 40 postdoctoral fellows and 26 PhD and MD/PhD graduate students including those currently in his lab. He is director of the Colton Center for Autoimmunity at Yale and has directed the Investigative Medicine MD to PhD program at Yale for over 20 years, training 70 MD/PhD students. Dr. Craft is a two-time NIH MERIT Awardee, 10-year NIH grants, recipient of the Yale Bohmfalk Basic Science Teaching Prize, an elected Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science, past chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors at NIH/NIAMS, and a former Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences.
Appointments
Rheumatology
ProfessorPrimaryImmunobiology
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Immunology
- Colton Center for Autoimmunity
- Craft Lab
- Diabetes Research Center
- Educational Program
- Human and Translational Immunology Program
- Immunobiology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
- Investigative Medicine Program
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Core
- Rheumatology
- Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI)
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Medicine
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Fellow
- Yale School of Medicine (1985)
- Resident
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (1980)
- Intern
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (1978)
- MD
- University of North Carolina (1977)
- MD
- University of North Carolina , School of Medicine (1977)
Board Certifications
Rheumatology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Latest Certification Date
- 2008
- Original Certification Date
- 1988
Internal Medicine
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Original Certification Date
- 1980
Research
Overview
Ongoing studies are targeted towards identification of the developmental pathways of CD4 T cells that provide B cell help and that promote inflammation, and dissection of their potential to promote autoimmunity and inflammation. Related work involves determination of tissue environmental factors that regulate T cell metabolism and effector function at inflammatory sites, such as tissues damaged in autoimmunity.
Medical Research Interests
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Jin-Young Choi, PhD
Insoo Kang, MD
Erol Fikrig, MD
Wenzhi Song
Irene Chernova, MD, PhD
Sang Taek Kim, MD, PhD
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Autoimmune Diseases
Cytokines
Immunity
Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
Rheumatology
Publications
2024
The amalgam of naive CD4+ T cell transcriptional states is reconfigured by helminth infection to dampen the amplitude of the immune response
Even Z, Meli A, Tyagi A, Vidyarthi A, Briggs N, de Kouchkovsky D, Kong Y, Wang Y, Waizman D, Rice T, De Kumar B, Wang X, Palm N, Craft J, Basu M, Ghosh S, Rothlin C. The amalgam of naive CD4+ T cell transcriptional states is reconfigured by helminth infection to dampen the amplitude of the immune response. Immunity 2024, 57: 1893-1907.e6. PMID: 39096910, PMCID: PMC11421571, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.07.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsT cell receptorImmune responseNaive CD4<sup>+</sup> T cellsCD4<sup>+</sup> T cellsIFN-IHelminth infectionsNippostrongylus brasiliensis infectionDecreased immune responseType I interferonNaive TT cellsMemory-likeUnrelated antigensTranscriptional changesExtracellular matrixSPF miceCell receptorsI interferonGerm-freeResponse to certain environmental cuesInfectionMiceFunctional changesCell transcriptional statesTranscriptional heterogeneityCBLs downregulation foretells T cell ubiquitination leading to autoimmunity
Vidyarthi A, Craft J. CBLs downregulation foretells T cell ubiquitination leading to autoimmunity. Cell Chemical Biology 2024, 31: 1239-1241. PMID: 39029453, DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.06.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and Concepts
2023
Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite
Tang X, Lynn G, Cui Y, Cerny J, Arora G, Tomayko M, Craft J, Fikrig E. Bulk and single-nucleus RNA sequencing highlight immune pathways induced in individuals during an Ixodes scapularis tick bite. Infection And Immunity 2023, 91: e00282-23. PMID: 37846980, PMCID: PMC10652856, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00282-23.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRNA sequencingSingle-nucleus RNA sequencingBulk RNA sequencingInterleukin-17 signalingPlatelet activation pathwaysLaboratory guinea pigsSnRNA-seqHippo signalingIndividual genesPeripheral bloodTick biteAdaptive immunityAnti-tick vaccinesGuidance pathwayImmune pathwaysNew biomarkersHost responseGuinea pigsHematophagous arthropodsHost defenseCell adhesionTick attachmentNovel insightsTick feedingPhysiological consequencesHIF-1 regulates pathogenic cytotoxic T cells in lupus skin disease
Little A, Chen P, Vesely M, Khan R, Fiedler J, Garritano J, Islam F, McNiff J, Craft J. HIF-1 regulates pathogenic cytotoxic T cells in lupus skin disease. JCI Insight 2023, 8: e166076. PMID: 37526979, PMCID: PMC10543720, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.166076.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCutaneous lupus erythematosusLupus skin diseaseT cellsSkin diseasesCytotoxic signatureInflammatory infiltrateHIF-1Tissue damageKidney-infiltrating T cellsSkin-infiltrating T cellsAutoimmune skin diseaseHIF-1 inhibitionSkin tissue damageLupus erythematosusSystemic diseaseTissue inflammationGranzyme BMouse modelInflammatory gene programDiseaseProtein levelsInfiltratesSkin environmentGene programPresent studyT follicular helper cells in cancer, tertiary lymphoid structures, and beyond
Cui C, Craft J, Joshi N. T follicular helper cells in cancer, tertiary lymphoid structures, and beyond. Seminars In Immunology 2023, 69: 101797. PMID: 37343412, DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101797.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structuresFollicular helper cellsCD8 T cellsTertiary lymphoid structuresSecondary lymphoid organsT cellsHelper cellsLymphoid structuresImmune cellsB cellsCD4 T follicular helper cellsT Follicular Helper CellsTumor-infiltrating immune cellsCurrent immunotherapy regimensCheckpoint blockade immunotherapyCD4 T cellsImmune cell componentsLimited response rateFunctional immune cellsNovel therapeutic targetPotential therapeutic benefitT cell-B cell interactionsBlockade immunotherapyImmunotherapy regimensLymphoid organsCutting Edge: IL-21 and Tissue-Specific Signals Instruct Tbet+CD11c+ B Cell Development following Viral Infection.
Song W, Sanchez G, Mayer D, Blackburn H, Chernova I, Flavell R, Weinstein J, Craft J. Cutting Edge: IL-21 and Tissue-Specific Signals Instruct Tbet+CD11c+ B Cell Development following Viral Infection. The Journal Of Immunology 2023, 210: 1861-1865. PMID: 37133336, PMCID: PMC10247523, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAge-associated B cellsIL-21Acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infectionB cellsLymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infectionB cell activationHumoral immunityLymphoid organsVirus infectionMouse modelViral infectionB cell developmentCell activationLymphotoxin αVivo generationTissue-specific signalsInfectionDe novo generationOrgan contributionIFNTissue microenvironmentCell developmentLiverPivotal contributorStage-specific rolesWCN23-0470 BAC-transgenic mice show a novel T-cell intrinsic role for FSGS-associated APOL1 risk-variants in T-cell activation
Pell J, Reghuvaran A, Nagata S, Banu K, He J, Craft J, Shi H, Chernova I, Ishibe S, Menon M. WCN23-0470 BAC-transgenic mice show a novel T-cell intrinsic role for FSGS-associated APOL1 risk-variants in T-cell activation. Kidney International Reports 2023, 8: s392-s393. DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2023.02.882.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh-plex protein and whole transcriptome co-mapping at cellular resolution with spatial CITE-seq
Liu Y, DiStasio M, Su G, Asashima H, Enninful A, Qin X, Deng Y, Nam J, Gao F, Bordignon P, Cassano M, Tomayko M, Xu M, Halene S, Craft J, Hafler D, Fan R. High-plex protein and whole transcriptome co-mapping at cellular resolution with spatial CITE-seq. Nature Biotechnology 2023, 41: 1405-1409. PMID: 36823353, PMCID: PMC10567548, DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01676-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricAP-1–independent NFAT signaling maintains follicular T cell function in infection and autoimmunity
Seth A, Yokokura Y, Choi J, Shyer J, Vidyarthi A, Craft J. AP-1–independent NFAT signaling maintains follicular T cell function in infection and autoimmunity. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2023, 220: e20211110. PMID: 36820828, PMCID: PMC9998660, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTfh cellsT cellsFollicular helper T cellsLupus-prone miceT cell subsetsTfh cell developmentHelper T cellsHumoral immune responseT cell functionGerminal center B cellsT cell statesRenal injuryAutoantibody productionCell subsetsPrimary T cellsImmune responseB cellsPharmacologic inhibitionTherapeutic insightsCell functionGenetic disruptionNFATCell developmentCellsGene expressionThe ion transporter Na+-K+-ATPase enables pathological B cell survival in the kidney microenvironment of lupus nephritis
Chernova I, Song W, Steach H, Hafez O, Al Souz J, Chen P, Chandra N, Cantley L, Veselits M, Clark M, Craft J. The ion transporter Na+-K+-ATPase enables pathological B cell survival in the kidney microenvironment of lupus nephritis. Science Advances 2023, 9: eadf8156. PMID: 36724234, PMCID: PMC9891690, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf8156.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsB cellsAutoimmune diseasesAmelioration of proteinuriaLupus nephritis biopsiesB cell infiltrationSodium-potassium adenosine triphosphataseB cell survivalPotassium adenosine triphosphataseLupus nephritisCell infiltrationKidney microenvironmentTissue injuryTherapeutic targetPharmacological inhibitionElevated sodium concentrationLupusHostile microenvironmentHigh expressionKidneySodium concentrationGenetic knockoutCell survivalDiseaseCellsAdenosine triphosphatase
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Yale Lupus and Connective Tissue Disease Bio-Repository / Yale Rheumatology Bio-Repository
HIC ID1602017276REGRoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2036Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsTeen Brain and Behavior Study
HIC ID1111009332RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/21/2022Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge13 years - 17 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity Immune Tolerance Network
Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsMemberDetailsSteering Committee2006 - Presentactivity Lupus Clinical Investigators Network
Public ServiceMemberDetailsChair, Executive Committee06/30/2016 - Presenthonor Distinguished Innovator Award
National AwardLupus Research AllianceDetails12/21/2022United Stateshonor MERIT Award
National AwardNIH (NIAMS)Details08/30/2016United Stateshonor Paul B. Beeson Professor of Medicine
UnknownDetails01/01/2010United States
News
News
- July 11, 2024Source: Yale Ventures
11 Yale Projects Receive Awards from the Colton Center for Autoimmunity
- April 19, 2024
Immunobiology Graduate Student Arya Ökten wins the 3-Minute Thesis Competition
- April 10, 2024
Dr. Lisa Korn Receives 2024 Dostanic Award
- February 01, 2024
Understanding Environmental Influences on Disease
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Yale Only Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD - Jennifer Puck, MD - Jordan Pober, MD, PhD - Lauren Hachmann Sansing, MD, MS, FAHA, FANA - Esen Sefik - Joseph Craft, MD - Kevan Herold, MD - Nikhil Joshi, PhD