EllenMGravalleseMD

Rheumatology • Boston, MA

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Related, Spondyloarthropathy

Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

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Office
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Hale Building for Transformative Medicine; 60 Fenwood Road
Boston, MA 02115
Phone+1 617-525-1000

Summary

Dr. Ellen M. Gravallese is the Theodore Bevier Bayles Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chair of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her prior position was as the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology, tenured Professor of Medicine and Chief of Rheumatology at University of Massachusetts Medical School. Dr. Gravallese received her AB degree from Harvard College and her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pathology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where she also served as a fellow in the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy. She is Board Certified in Anatomic Pathology, Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. Dr. Gravallese’s career focus has been in the areas of basic science investigation, the care of patients with rheumatic disease, and the training of young investigators. Dr. Gravallese’s basic science laboratory has been devoted for the past 20 years to the study of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a particular interest in the fundamental mechanisms of bone and cartilage destruction.

Education & Training

Brigham and Women's HospitalFellowship, Rheumatology, 1986 - 1989
Brigham and Women's HospitalResidency, Internal Medicine, 1981 - 1986
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and SurgeonsClass of 1981
Harvard UniversityA.B., Biochemical Sciences, Magna Cum Laude, 1977
Harvard UniversityA.B., Biochemical Sciences, Summa Cum Laude, 1977

Certifications & Licensure

MA State Medical License 1982 - 2025
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Rheumatology
American Board of Pathology Anatomic Pathology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Carol Nachman Prize International research award, 2019
Stephen M. Krane Award ASBMR, 2017
Marion Ropes Award Arthritis Foundation, 2012
Recipient of the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology 2013
Bronze Medal Slovakia Medical Society, 2013
Delivered the Freemont Smith Lecture New England Baptist Hospital, 2012
Delivered the Oscar Gluck Memorial Lecture, American College of Rheumatology National Meeting 2012
Fellow, The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program 2012
Elected to the Henry Kunkel Society 2011
Katherine Swan-Ginsburg Visiting Professor Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 2011
Marian Ropes Physician Achievement Award Arthritis Foundation, 2011
Physician Achievement Award University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 2004
Physician-in-Chief Pro Tempore, Delivered the “Richard H. Freyberg Memorial Lecture” to the HSS Fellows, staff and alumni, and the “Charles Christian Lecture” at Medical Grand Rounds Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell Medical School, 2004
Physician-in-Chief Pro Tempore Hospital for Special Surgery, Cornell Medical School, 2004
Scholars in Medicine Award Harvard Medical School, 1998
McDuffie Postdoctoral Fellow Award Arthritis Foundation, 1989
Sandoz Award for Medical Research College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1981
Alpha Omega Alpha College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1981
Alpha Omega Alpha College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 1981
Alpha Omega Alpha, College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University, 1981
Summa Cum Laude, Senior Honors Thesis Harvard College, 1977
Fellow (FACR) American College of Rheumatology
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Clinical Trials

Teriparatide for Joint Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The TERA Trial Start of enrollment: 2011 Aug 01
Completed
Phase 4

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

2 citations
Fractures in Patients With Acute Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Arthritis Versus Matched Comparators in a Large Cohort Study.
Sara K Tedeschi, Keigo Hayashi, Ann Rosenthal, Muneet Gill, Javier Marrugo
Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2024-06-01
4 citations
Synovial fibroblast gene expression is associated with sensory nerve growth and pain in rheumatoid arthritis.
Zilong Bai, Nicholas Bartelo, Maryam Aslam, Elisabeth A Murphy, Caryn R Hale
Science Translational Medicine. 2024-04-10
3 citations
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Ellen M Gravallese, Gary S Firestein, Natalie Koscal, Emily Ling, Dan L Longo
The New England Journal of Medicine. 2024-04-04

Journal Articles

PRIME Time in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ellen M Gravallese, William H Robinson, The New England Journal of Medicine
Effects of the IL-23–IL-17 Pathway on Bone in Spondyloarthritis
Ellen Gravallese, MD, Nature
Methods for High-Dimensonal Analysis of Cells Dissociated from Cyropreserved Synovial Tissue
Paul J Utz, William H Robinson, Ellen M Gravallese, Soumya Raychaudhuri, Alessandra B Pernis, Susan M Goodman, Michael B Brenner, Lionel B Ivashkiv, Brendan F Boyce, P..., BioMed Central
AIM2 and endosomal TLRs differentially regulate arthritis and autoantibody production in DNase II deficient mice
Baum R, Sharma S, Carpenter S, Li Q-Z, Busto P, Fitzgerald KA, Marshak-Rothstein A, Gravallese EM, J Immunol, 1/1/2015
Gadolinium-based Compounds Induce NLRP3-dependent IL-1b Production and Peritoneal Inflammation
Schmidt-Lauber C, Bossaller L, Abujudeh H, Vladimer G, Fitgerald K, Latz E, Gravallese EM, Kay J and Marshak-Rothstein A, Ann Rheum Dis, 1/1/2014
Gadolinium-based Compounds Induce NLRP3-dependent IL-1beta Production and Peritoneal Inflammation
Schmidt-Lauber C, Bossaller L, Abujudeh H, Vladimer G, Fitgerald K, Latz E, Gravallese EM, Marshak-Rothstein A, Kay J, Annals Rheum Dis., 1/1/2014
Clinical disease activity and acute phase reactant levels are discordant among patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
Kay J, Morgacheva O, Messing SP, Kremer JM, Greenberg JD, Gravallese EM, Furst DE, Arthritis Res Ther, 1/1/2014
Ligation of TLR5 promotes myeloid cell infiltration and differentiation into mature osteoclasts in RA and experimental arthritis
Kim SJ, Chen Z, Chamberlain ND, Essani AB, Volin MV, Amin MA, Volkov S, Gravallese EM, Arami S, Swedler W, Lane NE, Mehta A, Sweiss N and Shahrara S, J Immunol, 1/1/2014
Activated human T cells express alternative mRNA transcripts encoding a secreted form of RANKL
Walsh NC, Alexander KA, Manning CA, Karmakar SK, Wang JF, Pettit AR, Gravallese EM, Genes and Immunity, 1/1/2013
Erosions defined: Back to basics
Kay J and Gravallese E, Nat Rev Rheumatol, 1/1/2013
Bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis: Mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment
Schett G and Gravallese E, Nat Rev Rheumatol, 1/1/2012
Repair of erosion in RA: Shifting the balance to formation
Gravallese EM and Walsh NC, Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 1/1/2011
Assessment of control of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity
Salomon-Escoto K, Gravallese EM and Kay J, Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol, 1/1/2011
Mechanisms of synovitis: Impact on the skeletal environment
Balasubramanian S and Gravallese EM, US Musculoskeletal Review, 1/1/2010
Osteoblast function is comprised at sites of focal bone erosion in inflammatory arthritis
Walsh NC, Reinwald S, Manning CA, Condon KW, Iwata K, Burr DB, Gravallese EM, J Bone Miner Res, 1/1/2009
Entheses and bones in spondyloarthritis: 2008 Annual Research and Education Meeting of the Spondyloarthritis Research and Therapy Network (SPARTAN)
Colbert RA, Deodhar AA, Fox D, Gravallese EM, Khan MA, McGonagle D, Reveille JD, Schett G, Weisman M, Clegg DO; SPARTAN Group, J Rheumatol, 1/1/2009
RANKL protein is expressed at the pannus-bone interface at sites of articular bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis
Pettit AR, Walsh NC, Manning C, Goldring SR and Gravallese EM, Rheumatology, 1/1/2006
The role played by cell-substrate interactions in the pathogenesis of osteoclast-mediated peri-implant osteolysis
Shen Z, Crotti TN, McHugh KP, Gravallese EM, Bierbaum BE, Goldring SR, Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1/1/2006
Ijiri K, Zerbini LF, Peng H, Correa RG, Lu B, Walsh N, Zhao Y, Taniguchi N, Huang X-L, Otu H, Wang H, Wang J F, Komiya S, Ducy P, Rahman MU, Flavell RA, Oettgen P, Gra..., J Biol Chem, 1/1/2005
Rheumatic diseases: The effects of inflammation on bone
Walsh NC, Crotti TN, Goldring SR and Gravallese EM, Immunol Rev, 1/1/2005
The Ets transcription factor ESE-1 mediates induction of the COX-2 gene by LPS in monocytes
Grall FT, Prall WC, Wei W, Gu X, , Cho JY, Choy BK, Zerbini LF, Inan MS, Goldring SR, Gravallese EM, Goldring MB, Oettgen P, Libermann TA, FEBS Journal, 1/1/2005
Bone loss in inflammatory arthritis: Mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
Walsh NC and Gravallese EM, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 1/1/2004
Bisphosphonates: Environmental protection for the joint? Solicited Commentary
Goldring SR and Gravallese EM, Arthritis Rheum, 1/1/2004
Responses to the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cells derived from rheumatoid synovium and other joint tissues involves NF...
Grall FT, Gu X, Tan L, Cho JY, Inan MS, Pettit AR, Thamrongsak U, Choy BK, Manning C, Akbarali Y, Zerbini LF, Rudders S, Goldring SR, Gravallese EM, Oettgen P, Goldrin..., Arthritis Rheum, 1/1/2003
New policy on disclosure of interest for American College of Rheumatology Journals
Pisetsky DS, Hunder GG, Gravallese EM, Arthritis Rheum. (Arthritis Care and Research), 1/1/2003
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Books/Book Chapters

UpToDate
Chapter: Synovial tissue analysis in rheumatoid arthritis, I and II.
Chopra R and Gravallese EMEditors: Rose BD.UpToDate, Wellesley, MA2014
Rheumatology
Chapter: Chapter 91, “The rheumatoid joint: Synovitis and tissue destruction.”
Gravallese EM and Monach PAEditors: Hochberg, Silman, Smolen, Weinblatt, Weisman.Mosby: An Imprint of Elsevier ScienceEdition 5th,2013
Rheumatology
Chapter: The rheumatoid joint: Synovitis and tissue destruction
Gravallese EM and Monach PAEditors: Hochberg, Silman, Smolen, Weinblatt, Weisman.Mosby: An Imprint of Elsevier ScienceEdition 5th,2013
Osteoimmunology.
Chapter: Osteoblasts and their signaling pathways: New frontiers for linkage to the immune system.
Lian, JB, Gravallese EM, Stein GSEditors: Lorenzo J., Choi Y., Horowitz M. and Takayangi H.Elsevier Ltd., London, United Kingdom2011
Osteoimmunology
Chapter: Osteoblasts and their signaling pathways: New frontiers for linkage to the immune system
Page 101 - 128Lian, JB, Gravallese EM, Stein GSEditors: Lorenzo J., Choi Y., Horowitz M. and Takayangi H.Elsevier Ltd., London, UK2011
Targeted Therapies in Rheumatology
Chapter: Osteoprotegerin.
Pettit, AR, and Gravallese, EMEditors: P.E. Lipsky and J.S. Smolen.Martin Dunitz, London and New YorkEdition 2nd,2008
Bone Disease in Rheumatology
Chapter: Pathogenesis of focal bone loss in inflammatory arthritis.
Pettit AR and Gravallese EMEditors: O. Gluck and MJ Maricec.Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA2006
Bone Disease in Rheumatology
Chapter: Pathogenesis of focal bone loss in inflammatory arthritis
Pettit AR and Gravallese EMEditors: O. Gluck and MJ Maricec.Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA2006
Targeted Therapies in Rheumatology.
Chapter: Osteoprotegerin.
Page 359 - 377Pettit, AR, and Gravallese, E.M.Editors: P.E. Lipsky and J.S. Smolen.Martin Dunitz, London and New York2003
Targeted Therapies in Rheumatology
Chapter: Osteoprotegerin
Page 358 - 377Pettit, AR, and Gravallese, E.M.Editors: P.E. Lipsky and J.S. Smolen.Martin Dunitz, London, England & New York, NY2003
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Chapter: Synovial membrane disorders.
Winalski CS, Foldes K, Gravallese EM, Weissman BNEditors: Stark DD and Bradley WG Jr.Mosby, St Louis, MOEdition 3rd,1999
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Chapter: Synovial membrane disorders
Winalski CS, Foldes K, Gravallese EM, Weissman BNEditors: Stark DD and Bradley WG Jr.Mosby, St. Louis, MOEdition 3rd,1999
Dermatology in General Medicine
Chapter: Systemic vasculitis.
Page 2167 - 2178Gravallese EMEditors: Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Freedberg IM, Austen KF.McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NYEdition 4th,1993
Dermatology in General Medicine
Chapter: Systemic vasculitis
Page 2167 - 2178Gravallese EMEditors: Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Freedberg IM, Austen KF.McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NYEdition 4th,1993
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Abstracts/Posters

The STING Pathway Regulates Bone Remodeling in a Model of Autoimmune Disease. Plenary Abstract Presentation
Gravallese E, American College of Rheumatology National Meeting, Boston, MA, 1/1/2014
The STING Pathway Regulates Bone Remodeling in a Model of Autoimmune Disease. Plenary Poster Presentation
Gravallese E, American Society of Bone and Mineral Research National Meeting, 1/1/2014
The STING Pathway Regulates Bone Remodeling in a Model of Autoimmune Disease
American College of Rheumatology national meeting, Boston, MA, 1/1/2014
DNA sensors regulate inflammation in a model of autoimmune arthritis
American College of Rheumatology national meeting, Boston, MA, 1/1/2014
IL-17A deficiency promotes periosteal bone formation in a model of inflammatory arthritis
American College of Rheumatology national meeting, Boston, MA, 1/1/2014
TRANCE/RANKL K/O mice are protected from bone erosion in the K/BxN serum transfer model of arthritis. Plenary Abstract Presentation
Gravallese E, American College of Rheumatology National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 1/1/2001
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Lectures

RA pathogenesis and the bone perspective
1/1/2015
What can we learn from synovial tissue in rheumatic diseases?
1/1/2015
Mechanisms of bone formation and the potential for erosion repair
Nice, France - 1/1/2015
Role of DNA sensors in the regulation of bone
Annecy, France - 1/1/2015
Impact of inflammation on bone in Spondyloarthritis
Toronto, Canada - 1/1/2015
Careers in Basic Science. Oral Presentation
Boston, MA - 1/1/2014
DNA sensors regulate inflammation in a model of autoimmune arthritis. Abstract Presentation
Boston, MA - 1/1/2014
IL-17A deficiency promotes periosteal bone formation in a model of inflammatory arthritis. Abstract Presentation
Boston, MA - 1/1/2014
Bone remodeling in rheumatic diseases: What have we learned that will affect therapy? Invited Speaker
Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA - 1/1/2014
Treatment of bone erosions in RA: Are we doing enough? Plenary Symposium, Invited Speaker
Houston, TX - 1/1/2014
Role of Cytosolic DNA sensors and the STING pathway in bone.
Kos, Greece - 1/1/2014
Role of miRNAs in bone and arthritis.
University of Vermont - 1/1/2014
Rheumatoid arthritis: The road from pathogenesis to therapy.
University of Vermont - 1/1/2014
Bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis: What have we learned that will affect therapy?
1/1/2014
Synovial pathology: When is biopsy clinically useful?
1/1/2014
How much do YOU really know about synovial pathology?
1/1/2014
Role of miRNAs in bone and arthritis
1/1/2014
Role of Cytosolic DNA sensors and the STING pathway in bone
Kos, Greece - 1/1/2014
Bone remodeling in rheumatic diseases: What have we learned that will affect therapy?
Los Angeles, CA - 1/1/2014
Treatment of bone erosions in RA: Are we doing enough?
Houston, TX - 1/1/2014
The STING Pathway Regulates Bone Remodeling in a Model of Autoimmune Disease
Houston, TX - 1/1/2014
Careers in Basic Science
Boston, MA - 1/1/2014
Advances Course: Bone in Rheumatic Diseases.
Harvard Medical School - 1/1/2013
New insights into destruction and repair in rheumatic disease. Invited Speaker
1/1/2013
Impact of Inflammation on Bone in Rheumatic Disease
1/1/2013
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Other

Radio interview, with Dr. David Borenstein, on current research efforts in rheumatoid arthritis.
Gravallese E, Speaking of Health
Washington, DC - 1/1/2014
Synovial tissue analysis in rheumatoid arthritis, I and II
Gravallese EM, Handel ML, UpToDate
Wellesley, MA - 1/1/2004
Discussion of pathogenic mechanisms of joint destruction in RA and implications for therapy.
Gravallese E, Rheumaview Series
JointandBone.org
1/1/2002

Authored Content

Leveraging the ACR’s RISE Registry for ResearchSeptember 2020
PRIME Time in Rheumatoid ArthritisJuly 2020
The ACR Is Helping Rheumatology Practices Meet COVID-19 ChallengesJuly 2020
The ACR Is Helping Rheumatology Practices Meet COVID-19 ChallengesJuly 2020
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Press Mentions

Drug May Offer New Approach Against Rheumatoid ArthritisMay 18th, 2023
Themes of Drama, Heroism & New Challenges Threaded President’s & Keynote Addresses at ACR Convergence 2022November 18th, 2022
A New President Takes the ACR Helm: Introducing Douglas White, MD, PhDNovember 17th, 2022
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Grant Support

Inhibition Of Osteoblast Function In Bone Erosion In Rheumatoid ArthritisNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2009–2011
Pathogenesis Of Bone Erosion In Rheumatoid ArthritisNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2007
Pathogenesis Of Bone Erosion In Rheumatoid ArthritisNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases2003–2006
Role Of Lipopolysaccharide In Connective Tissue DiseaseNational Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases1989–1993