2011 M. Irené Ferrer Awardee, Columbia University
Dr. Jon T. Giles, Assistant Professor of Medicine, is examining the reasons that atherosclerotic heart disease is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). He is exploring gender differences in the characteristics of body fat and the blood vessels that supply it in patients with RA. He believes that compared to men, women with rheumatoid arthritis will show more inflammation in their fat tissue and less ability of their body fat to use glucose. In previous studies, he has found no difference in the quantity of fat around the intestines (visceral fat) and in the thin sheet of tissue that covers the heart (the pericardium) between the sexes, and will test the hypothesis that gender-specific differences in the metabolic characteristics of the fat determine the severity of heart disease in RA patients. Dr. Giles has completed the difficult tasks of establishing and testing of the techniques for measuring the amount and location of body fat accurately and for defining the immune characteristics of the fat cells and the blood vessels supplying them. Patient enrollment has just begun and they will supply fat tissue biopsies that Dr. Giles will characterize.
Awarded: $60,000
What Dr. Giles studying?
Doctor Giles is studying rheumatoid arthritis, including its relationship to periodontal disease and its effects on the cardiovascular system. Periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth. It’s primarily caused by bacterial plaque that builds up on the teeth and gums, leading to inflammation, tissue destruction, and eventually tooth loss if left untreated. But its implications extend far beyond oral health—especially in the context of systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Why study Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the world’s population, with the prevalence among women being 2.45 times higher than in men. The number of cases is predicted to increase by 80% by 2050. The annual cost of treating a patient with RA is $9,519.
Connection Between Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s joints, causing pain, swelling, and eventual joint destruction. There’s a growing body of evidence showing a strong link between RA and periodontal disease.
What did Dr. Giles find in his research?
Doctor Giles helped assess the efficacy—and risks—of specific medications on the likelihood of patients developing major cardiovascular events (tocilizumab versus etanercept). He also studied the relationship of periodontal disease to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. He used sequential measurements of the degree of arteriosclerosis in the carotid arteries of patients with RA to establish that the disease caused the increase of disease in those vessels. He also critically evaluated the cause and pathologic pathway of another autoimmune disorder, psoriatic arthritis, suggesting that the genetic profile of the individual determines the incidence, intensity, and heterogeneity of this disease.
How did The Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine’s grant help Doctor Jon T. Giles research?
Our foundation grant of $60,000, awarded 14 years ago, helped Dr. Giles publish four major studies in peer-reviewed journals.
Why does this matter?
This matters because it demonstrates the long-term impact and value of the foundation’s investment. That initial $60,000 grant didn’t just fund a single project—it catalyzed a sustained body of research that led to four major peer-reviewed publications over more than a decade. Here’s why that’s significant:
1. Return on Investment
The grant produced multiple high-quality outcomes, showing a strong return on relatively modest funding. It highlights how strategic support can lead to exponential academic and clinical value.
2. Scientific Advancement
Each of those studies likely contributed new insights into rheumatoid arthritis, its connection to periodontal disease, and its impact on the cardiovascular system—areas that have real consequences for patient care and public health.
3. Catalyst for Future Work
Early support like this often serves as a springboard for larger grants, collaborations, or expanded research, which can multiply the original foundation’s impact over time.
4. Validation of the Foundation’s Vision
It reinforces the foundation’s role as a visionary supporter of impactful science—backing promising researchers before they gain widespread recognition.
What is Dr. Giles current status?
Dr. Giles currently serves as a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a researcher at Ceders Sinai.