About

Steven Abramson, MD, is the Chair of the Department of Medicine and holds the position of Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. His research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with particular interest in cytokine signaling, growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and integrins that regulate chondrocyte and bone cell biology. His laboratory investigates gene expression changes in osteoarthritis cartilage using techniques such as microarray analysis, and studies the epigenetic regulation of chondrocyte phenotypes, including microRNA expression and DNA methylation status. Dr. Abramson's work also explores the role of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in activating MAP kinase signaling pathways, protease synthesis, and cellular death in chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. He has identified a novel latent TGF-beta1 activating extracellular matrix protein, F-spondin, and plans to develop F-spondin knockout mice to further understand its functions in cartilage development and osteoarthritis progression. His fundamental research aims to enhance understanding of disease pathogenesis and inform potential treatments for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Immunology
• Biology
• Pathology
• Internal medicine
• Bioinformatics
• Virology

Selected publications

• Post-acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) Patients With Elevated Serum IL-1ra Experience Higher Odds of Fatigue, Muscle Aches, and Dyspnea on Exertion Within 1 Year of Acute COVID-19 Infection: A Cross Sectional-study

  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · 2025-05-01

  article

  Abstract RATIONALE: After Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection, many patients experience ongoing symptoms, known collectively as Post-Acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). In response, NYU Langone Health developed the Post-COVID Care Clinic and began researching COVID-19's long term effects. We compared the prevalence of a variety of patient-reported symptoms among PASC patients with elevated serum IL-1ra. METHODS: We enrolled ---1038 PASC patients, 51 healthy controls (with no prior COVID infection), and 27 PASC controls (with a prior COVID infection, but no PASC symptoms) in a research registry (NYUGSoM IRB# 20-00909). PASC patients were divided according to time-points after their initial infection. We excluded time-points less than 3 months and greater than 12 months in this analysis. Participants completed questionnaires assessing the presence of common PASC symptoms and provided a research blood sample to assess cytokine levels. 178 participants had available questionnaire and cytokine data at a time-point between 3 and 12 months post-acute infection. RESULTS: Of the 178 patients, the majority were female and white (65% and 67%, respectively), and the average age was 47 years. We found that PASC patients had significantly higher levels of serum IL-1ra compared to both healthy and PASC controls (Fig. 1). We classified PASC patients whose IL-1ra levels were 1SD above the mean of the healthy controls as “PASC Elevated IL-1ra” (n=65) and the remaining patients as “PASC Non-Elevated IL-1ra” (n=113). We found that PASC Elevated IL-1ra patients were 2.9x more likely than PASC Non-Elevated IL-1ra patients to report fatigue (OR=2.94, 95% CI=1.48, 5.84, p=.002) and 2.5x more likely to report muscle aches (OR=2.50, 95% CI=1.14, 5.50, p=.022). Interestingly, PASC Elevated IL-1ra patients were also 2x more likely to report dyspnea on exertion (DOE) (OR =1.99, 95% CI=1.03, 3.86, p=.041); however, there was no difference between the groups when looking at respiratory burden as a collection of symptoms (i.e. having either DOE, shortness of breath at rest, or cough). Similarly, there was no difference in neurological symptoms either individually or as a collection of symptoms (including brain fog, headache, dizziness, and memory difficulty, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: These results show an elevation of serum IL-1ra in PASC patients compared to controls. Among PASC patients, we also see a greater prevalence of fatigue, muscle aches and DOE in patients with elevated IL-1ra. These results suggest a mechanism of systemic inflammation in both the development of long COVID and the types of symptoms experienced. Further studies are needed to examine these findings.

  PublisherDOI

• Outcomes of Accelerated 3-Year MD Graduates at NYU Grossman School of Medicine During Medical School and Early Residency

  Academic Medicine · 2024-10-15 · 6 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: For accelerated 3-year MD (3YMD) pathways to be fully adopted in medical education, a comprehensive analysis of outcome data is needed. This study includes 7 accelerated 3YMD graduating classes at NYU Grossman School of Medicine (NYUGSOM) and reports on outcomes from both medical school and internship compared with their 4-year MD (4YMD) counterparts. METHOD: Outcomes across the undergraduate-graduate medical education continuum for the first 7 classes of NYUGSOM graduates (matriculated from 2013-2019) from the accelerated 3YMD (n = 136) and 4YMD pathways (n = 681) were compared. For the internship outcomes, 3YMD interns were compared with 4YMD interns who graduated from NYUGSOM and all 4YMD interns (4YMD graduates from NYUGSOM and any other medical school) at NYUGSOM residencies. RESULTS: Accelerated 3YMD students were approximately 5 months older at admission and had higher multiple mini-interview scores than 4YMD students. Overall, accelerated 3YMD students performed similarly to 4YMD students during medical school and internship. Significant differences included higher performance by 3YMD students on preclerkship exams and lower performance on Steps 1 and 2 (average: 5.6 and 5.4 fewer points, respectively) and the physical examination portion of the NYUGSOM Comprehensive Clinical Skills Exam. Internship data indicated comparable team assessments across all residencies, statistically significant higher performance on Step 3 when compared with all 4YMD interns, and, in internal medicine, comparable clinical reasoning between 3YMD and all 4YMD interns. When comparing 3YMD interns to all 4YMD interns in the internal medicine residency program, 3YMD interns had a statistically significantly higher performance on milestones. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes from 7 years of graduating accelerated 3YMD students at NYUGSOM show similar performance in medical school and early residency to 4YMD graduates. Long-term study of accelerated 3YMD students from NYUGSOM and other medical schools is needed to further validate the success of this innovative medical education pathway.

  PublisherDOI

• Longitudinal Analysis of Cytokine Profiles and Pulmonary Function in Post-acute Sequelae of SAR-CoV-2 (PASC) Patients

  2024-04-30

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Gene (<i>IL1RN</i>) Variants Modulate the Cytokine Release Syndrome and Mortality of COVID-19

  The Journal of Infectious Diseases · 2024-03-13 · 6 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: We examined effects of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of IL1RN, the gene encoding the anti-inflammatory interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), on the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and mortality in patients with acute severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. METHODS: IL1RN CTA haplotypes formed from 3 SNVs (rs419598, rs315952, rs9005) and the individual SNVs were assessed for association with laboratory markers of inflammation and mortality. We studied 2589 patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and March 2021. RESULTS: Mortality was 15.3% and lower in women than men (13.1% vs 17.3%, P = .0003). Carriers of the CTA-1/2 IL1RN haplotypes exhibited decreased inflammatory markers and increased plasma IL-1Ra. Evaluation of the individual SNVs of the IL1RN, carriers of the rs419598 C/C SNV exhibited significantly reduced inflammatory biomarker levels and numerically lower mortality compared to the C/T-T/T genotype (10.0% vs 17.8%, P = .052) in men, with the most pronounced association observed in male patients ≤74 years old, whose mortality was reduced by 80% (3.1% vs 14.0%, P = .030). CONCLUSIONS: The IL1RN haplotype CTA and C/C variant of rs419598 are associated with attenuation of the CRS and decreased mortality in men with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data suggest that the IL1RN pathway modulates the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-M) sensitize HER2+ solid tumors to PD1 blockade in pre-clinical models

  immuneACCESS · 2024-12-13 · 2 citations

  dataset

  We previously developed human CAR macrophages (CAR-M) and demonstrated redirection of macrophage anti-tumor function leading to tumor control in immunodeficient xenograft models. Here, we develop clinically relevant fully immunocompetent syngeneic models to evaluate the potential for CAR-M to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), induce T cell anti-tumor immunity, and sensitize solid tumors to PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibition. In vivo, anti-HER2 CAR-M significantly reduce tumor burden, prolong survival, remodel the TME, increase intratumoral T cell and natural killer (NK) cell infiltration, and induce antigen spreading. CAR-M therapy protects against antigen-negative relapses in a T cell dependent fashion, confirming long-term anti-tumor immunity. In HER2&amp;#43; solid tumors with limited sensitivity to anti-PD1 (aPD1) monotherapy, the combination of CAR-M and aPD1 significantly improves tumor growth control, survival, and remodeling of the TME in pre-clinical models. These results demonstrate synergy between CAR-M and T cell checkpoint blockade and provide a strategy to potentially enhance response to aPD1 therapy for patients with non-responsive tumors

  PublisherDOI

• Implementing an accelerated three-year MD curriculum at NYU Grossman School of Medicine

  Medical Teacher · 2024-10-31 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author

  Over the last decade there has been tremendous growth in the development of accelerated MD pathways that allow medical students to graduate in three years. Developing an accelerated pathway program requires commitment from students and faculty with intensive re-thinking and altering of the curriculum to ensure adequate content to achieve competency in an accelerated timeline. A re-visioning of assessment and advising must follow and the application of AI and new technologies can be added to support teaching and learning. We describe the curricular revision to an accelerated pathway at NYU Grossman School of Medicine highlighting our thought process, conceptual framework, assessment methods and outcomes over the last ten years.

  PublisherDOI

• Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene ( <i>IL1RN</i> ) variants modulate the cytokine release syndrome and mortality of SARS-CoV-2

  medRxiv · 2023-01-11 · 3 citations

  preprintOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  ABSTRACT Objective To explore the regulation of the inflammatory response in acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, we examined effects of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of IL1RN , the gene encoding the anti-inflammatory IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), on the cytokine release syndrome and mortality. Methods We studied 2589 patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and March 2021 at NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital. CTA and TTG haplotypes formed from three SNVs (rs419598, rs315952, rs9005) and the individual SNVs of the IL1RN gene were assessed for association with laboratory markers of the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and mortality. Results Mortality in the population was 15.3%, and was lower in women than men (13.1% vs.17.3%, p&lt;0.0003). Carriers of the CTA-1/2 IL1RN haplotypes exhibited decreased inflammatory markers and increased plasma IL-1Ra relative to TTG carriers. Decreased mortality among CTA-1/2 carriers was observed in male patients between the ages of 55-74 [9.2% vs. 17.9%, p=0.001]. Evaluation of individual SNVs of the IL1RN gene (rs419598, rs315952, rs9005) indicated that carriers of the IL1RN rs419598 CC SNV exhibited lower inflammatory biomarker levels, and was associated with reduced mortality compared to the CT/TT genotype in men (OR 0.49 (0.23 – 1.00); 0.052), with the most pronounced effect observed between the ages of 55-74 [5.5% vs. 18.4%, p&lt;0.001]. Conclusion The IL1RN haplotype CTA, and sequence variant of rs419598 are associated with attenuation of the cytokine release syndrome and decreased mortality in males with acute SARS-CoV2 infection. The data suggest that IL1RN modulates the COVID-19 cytokine release syndrome via endogenous “ anti-inflammatory” mechanisms. Significance statement We provide evidence that variants of IL1RN modulate the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The IL1RN CTA haplotype and rs419598 CC single nucleotide variant are associated with decreased plasma levels of inflammatory markers, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-2 (IL-2), C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin, and procalcitonin, in association with higher levels of IL-1Ra and IL-10, anti-inflammatory proteins. Both haplotype CTA and rs419598 CC genotype are associated with a significant reduction in the mortality of men. These data provide genetic evidence that inflammasome activation and the IL-1 pathway plays an important role in the mortality and morbidity associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that genetic regulation of inflammatory pathways by variants of IL1RN merits further evaluation in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Serum proteomic panel validated for prediction of knee osteoarthritis progression

  Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open · 2023-12-04 · 13 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Objective: To further validate a serum proteomics panel for predicting radiographic (structural) knee OA progression. Design: Serum peptides were targeted by multiple-reaction-monitoring mass spectrometry in the New York University cohort (n ​= ​104). Knee OA progression was defined as joint space narrowing ≥1 in the tibiofemoral compartment of one knee per study participant over a 24-month follow-up. The discriminative ability of an 11-peptide panel was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), without and with demographic characteristics of age, sex, and body mass index. The association of each peptide with OA progression was assessed by odds ratios (OR) in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for demographics. Results: The cohort included 46 (44%) knee OA progressors. The panel of 11 peptides alone yielded AUC ​= ​0.66 (95% CI [0.55, 0.77]) for discriminating progressors from non-progressors; demographic traits alone yielded AUC ​= ​0.66 (95% CI [0.55, 0.77]). Together the 11 peptides and demographics yielded AUC ​= ​0.72 (95% CI [0.62, 0.83]). CRAC1 had the highest odds for predicting OA progression (OR 2.014, 95% CI [0.996, 4.296], p ​= ​0.058). Conclusions: We evaluated a parsimonious serum proteomic panel and found it to be a good discriminator of knee radiographic OA progression from non-progression. Since these biomarkers are quantifiable in serum, they could be deployed relatively easily to provide a simple, cost-effective strategy for identifying and monitoring individuals at high risk of knee OA progression.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Evolution of Symptoms and Lung Function After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

  2023-05-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Artificial Intelligence Screening of Medical School Applications: Development and Validation of a Machine-Learning Algorithm

  Academic Medicine · 2023-03-06 · 25 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: To explore whether a machine-learning algorithm could accurately perform the initial screening of medical school applications. METHOD: Using application data and faculty screening outcomes from the 2013 to 2017 application cycles (n = 14,555 applications), the authors created a virtual faculty screener algorithm. A retrospective validation using 2,910 applications from the 2013 to 2017 cycles and a prospective validation using 2,715 applications during the 2018 application cycle were performed. To test the validated algorithm, a randomized trial was performed in the 2019 cycle, with 1,827 eligible applications being reviewed by faculty and 1,873 by algorithm. RESULTS: The retrospective validation yielded area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) values of 0.83, 0.64, and 0.83 and area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) values of 0.61, 0.54, and 0.65 for the invite for interview, hold for review, and reject groups, respectively. The prospective validation yielded AUROC values of 0.83, 0.62, and 0.82 and AUPRC values of 0.66, 0.47, and 0.65 for the invite for interview, hold for review, and reject groups, respectively. The randomized trial found no significant differences in overall interview recommendation rates according to faculty or algorithm and among female or underrepresented in medicine applicants. In underrepresented in medicine applicants, there were no significant differences in the rates at which the admissions committee offered an interview (70 of 71 in the faculty reviewer arm and 61 of 65 in the algorithm arm; P = .14). No difference in the rate of the committee agreeing with the recommended interview was found among female applicants (224 of 229 in the faculty reviewer arm and 220 of 227 in the algorithm arm; P = .55). CONCLUSIONS: The virtual faculty screener algorithm successfully replicated faculty screening of medical school applications and may aid in the consistent and reliable review of medical school applicants.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Leukocyte Gene Expression and Genetic Biomarkers of OA Incidence and Progression

  NIH · $4.8M · 2005–2018

• NIH Grant M01RR000096

  NIH · $7.1M · 2009

• NIH Grant R01AR054817

  NIH · $2.1M · 2015

• Control of bone homeostasis by MT1-MMP signaling

  NIH · $408k · 2016–2018

• NIH Grant RC2AR058986

  NIH · $4.0M · 2012

Frequent coauthors

• Mukundan Attur

  New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital

  198 shared

• Ashok R. Amin

  Virginia Tech

  99 shared

• Jill P. Buyon

  New York University

  91 shared

• Gerald Weissmann

  90 shared

• Jonathan Samuels

  69 shared

• H. Michael Belmont

  New York University

  61 shared

• Michael H. Pillinger

  New York University

  61 shared

• Svetlana Krasnokutsky

  New York University Langone Orthopedic Hospital

  51 shared

Labs

• Health Tech HubPI