Ann M. Reed, M.D.

Ann M. Reed, M.D., studies the genetics and cause of human autoimmune disease. The long-term goal of Dr. Reed's research team is to develop new biomarkers of disease to identify those predisposed to develop disease, as well as monitor disease activity and response to treatment.

Dr. Reed's work is focusing on dermatomyositis in adults and children. Her team makes extensive use of genomics, gene expression, protein expression and immunohistochemical techniques to study the inflammatory and non-inflammatory aspects of dermatomyositis disease, and their findings are translated into biomarker testing of disease to predict outcome, response and management of disease.

They also have expanded this work into other autoimmune disease processes, including systemic lupus and vasculitis.

Dr. Reed's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics, and the Arthritis Foundation, among other organizations.

Focus areas

• What causes dermatomyositis? Dr. Reed is working to better understand the initial events that trigger disease and the subsequent inflammatory response that results in muscle damage. Early events in the tissue are thought to initiate the inflammatory response.

  The inflammatory response is poised to allow Dr. Reed and her colleagues to understand the disease variations and target their therapeutic interventions. The inflammatory response has allowed them to develop biomarkers of disease activity and monitor for disease remission.

• Why do some people develop autoimmune disease? Dr. Reed is interested in the overall immune response changes that result in autoimmune disease in humans.
• How do we best treat dermatomyositis? Dr. Reed is working with national groups to improve treatments for this disease.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Reed's research into the cause and treatment of dermatomyositis will help identify and treat patients with dermatomyositis, as well as improve their quality of life.

Professional highlights

• Chair, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic
• Research Chair, Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic
• Sub-Board Chair, Rheumatology Group, American Board of Pediatrics
• Myositis Chair, Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance