Emory Faculty
Emory Faculty
Roberto Pacifici, MD
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Emory Clinic at 1365 Clifton Road
1365 Clifton Road Northeast, Bldg A, Fl 3, Atlanta, GA 30322 +1 More LocationsBooking information not available
(404) 778-3280About
Dr. Pacifici is the director of the Division of Endocrinology. The Pacifici laboratory has pioneered the field of osteoimmunology and osteomicrobiology. The current main focus of the laboratory is the role of the microbiome in bone in health and disease. We are also interested in the mechanism of action of probiotics in bone. The laboratory is specialized in conducting in vivo studies in mice treated with PTH or subjected to ovariectomy. We use genetic models, retroviral transduction, bone marrow transplantation, T cell transfer and in vivo treatments with hormones, cytokines, antibodies and probiotics. Typical end points include sophisticated flow cytometric analysis of bone marrow cells and microCT and histomorphometric analysis of bone structure. The lab is equipped with in vivo and in vitro microCT scanners. We have been the first to recognize that T cells play a pivotal role in the mechanism of action of estrogen and PTH in bone by regulating osteoclast and osteoblast development and function. More recently we have shown that the gut microbiome plays a role in mediating the skeletal response to estrogen deficiency and PTH. We have shown that mice lacking T cells are protected against the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and hyperparathyroidism. We have has also shown that T cells regulate the number and function of mesenchymal stem cells. We have investigated the mechanism by which T cells mediate the expansion of hemopoietic stem cells caused by estrogen deficiency and PTH. Another main focus is to understand why “intermittent” PTH treatment causes bone anabolism while “continuous” PTH treatment causes bone loss. We hypothesize that the response to PTH depends on the effects of this hormone on T cell production of Wnt10b and TNF. We are currently investigating the mechanism of action of probiotics in bone, and conducting a clinical trial to determine the efficacy of the probiotic VSL#3 in preventing postmenopausal bone loss. The Pacifici laboratory is currently supported by 3 RO-1 grants, 1 DOD grant and a T32 grant. Employment 2003 - current - Division Director; Endocrinology and Metabolism Herndon Professor of Medicine Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine 2002 - 2003 - Professor of Radiology, Mallinkrodt Institute of Radiology 2000 - 2003 - Sydney M. and Stella H. Shoenberg Professor of Medicine Division of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, Washington University School of Medicine 1993 - 2000 - Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine 1995 - 2000 - Assistant Professor of Radiology, Mallinkrodt Institute of Radiology 1988 - 1993 - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine 1984 - 1988 - Fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism, Div.of Bone & Mineral Metabolism, The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis at the Washington University Medical School
Languages
- English
- Italian
Emory Affiliation
- Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
- Emory Healthcare Network
- Emory Physician Group Practice
Academic Title
- Professor
Academic Profile
Year Started Practicing
- 1988
Locations
Emory Clinic at 1365 Clifton Road
1365 Clifton Road Northeast
Bldg A, Fl 3
Atlanta,
GA
30322
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital Campus
5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Fl 2, Ste 210
Atlanta,
GA
30342
Similar providers at these locations
Emory Faculty
Prajna Dsilva, MD
Endocrinology
Emory University Hospital Midtown Campus
550 Peachtree Street Northeast, Medical Office Tower, Fl 19, Atlanta, GA 30308
Emory Faculty
Nyrene Ahmed Haque, MD
Endocrinology
Emory University Hospital Midtown Campus
550 Peachtree Street Northeast, Medical Office Tower, Fl 19, Atlanta, GA 30308Credentials
Education
- Fellowship: Washington University School of Medicine, Endocrinology, 1988
- Medical Education: Perugia University School of Medi-Italy, 1984
- Medical Education: Perugia University School of Medi-Italy, MD, 1981