Cristina Arriens, M.D., MSCS

My research interests in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus involve a molecular investigation of biomarkers and use of this knowledge to assist guidance of therapy. The reduced level of C-reactive protein in SLE led my residency mentor, Terry DuClos to investigate the effects of this acute phase reactant on the immune system. During Internal Medicine Residency, my project evaluated the splenic macrophage gene expression profile following exposure to C-reactive protein. Genes involved with the anti-inflammatory pathways were upregulated, potentially indicating a role for reduction of autoimmunity. Prior to Rheumatology Fellowship, I joined the laboratory of Chandra Mohan who had just completed a metabolomic profile project identifying discrepancies between SLE and healthy individuals. This study noted a reduction of the essential omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oil supplements, as well as increased markers of inflammation and reduced markers of energy stores. Based on these findings, I designed and implemented a clinical trial of fish oil in SLE patients to determine impact on fatigue as well as biomarkers of inflammation and energy stores. Further studies evaluated the fatty acid profiles to determine whether treatment could increase the omega-3 levels and if the increases could correlate with the improvements in biomarkers and quality of life noted in the initial study, with promising results.

B.S. in Genetics – Texas A&M University, 2002
M.D. – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2007
M.S. in Clinical Science – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2015

Recent publications

C Arriens, C Rodriguez-Navas, DR Karp, J McDonald, and C Mohan. Dietary Fish Oil Supplementation raises serum fatty Acid Concentrations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Correlates with Improvements in Inflammation and Pain. Arthritis & Rheumatology, Vol. 67 (S10), 2015. PMID: 26540142

Selected publications

C Arriens, L Marnell, TW DuClos. Characterization of C-Reactive Protein-Induced Suppressive Macrophages. Journal of Investigative Medicine, Vol. 58 (1), 176, January 2010.

C Arriens, C Mohan, and DR Karp.  Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Quality of Life in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  Arthritis & Rheumatism, Vol. 65 (S10), S1083-S1084, October 2013.  PMID: 24085684

C Arriens and C Mohan. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Diagnostics in the ‘Omics’ Era. International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, Vol. 8 (6), 671-687, December 2013.  PMID:24860621

J Hutcheson, Y Ye, J Han, C Arriens, R Saxena, Q-Z Li, C Mohan, and T Wu. Resistin as a Potential Marker of Renal Disease in Lupus Nephritis.  Clinical & Experimental Immunology, October 2014. PMID:25345756

T Wu, H Ding, C Arriens, C Wei, JH Anolik, DR Karp, NJ Olsen, M Petri, I Sanz, R Saxena, and C Mohan. Antibody Array Based Proteomic Screening of 274 Serum Markers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis & Rheumatology, Vol. 67 (S10), 2015. PMID:26540142

C Arriens, LS Hynan, RH Lerman, DR Karp, and C Mohan. Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial of Fish Oil’s Impact on Fatigue, Quality of Life, and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Nutrition Journal, Vol 14 (82), 1-11, August 2015. PMID: 26283629.

Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Research Program, MS 22
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-7303
E-mail: Cristina-Arriens@omrf.org