Christopher R. Pierson, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nationwide Children's Research Institute
Center for Childhood Cancer
700 Children's Drive
Research II Bldg, WA5016
Columbus, OH  43205

Phone: (614) 355-2668
Fax: (614) 722-5895
Email: christopher.pierson@nationwidechildrens.org

Education & Training:
Michigan State University, 1993 B.S. in Microbiology
Wayne State University School of Medicine, 1997 M.D.
Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2002 Ph.D. in Pathology
Wayne State University School of Medicine 2002 Anatomic Pathology Residency
Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital, 2007 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Research Interest:
Our laboratory studies X-linked myotubular myopathy (MTM) a severe congenital myopathy that is due to MTM1 mutations. MTM1 encodes the ubiquitously expressed lipid phosphatase myotubularin that is recognized as the canonical member of the myotubularin-related family of lipid phosphatases. For unknown reasons, MTM patients have severe, diffuse muscle weakness and hypotonia that can lead to death in childhood. To further understand MTM, we are working to identify and characterize skeletal muscle proteins that interact with myotubularin. We are also using gene expression analysis in an effort to elucidate critical pathogenic pathways that contribute to the mechanism of MTM. Currently treatment is limited to supportive care so in an effort to address this need we are devising novel therapies that will be safe and effective. Our long-term goal is to understand the biologic role of myotubularin and MTM pathogenesis and to use this new knowledge to devise and develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Selected Publications:

• A Buj-Bello, F Fourgerousse, Y Schwab, N Messaddeq, D Spehner, CR Pierson, M Durand, C Kretz, O Danos, A-M Douar, AH Beggs, P Schultz, M Montus, P Denèfle, J-L Mandel. AAV-mediated intramuscular delivery of myotubularin corrects the myotubular myopathy phenotype in mice and suggests a function in plasma membrane homeostasis. Hum Mol Genet (2008) 17: 2132-2143.

• CR Pierson, PB Agrawal, J Blasko, AH Beggs. Myofiber size correlates with MTM1 mutation type and outcome in X-linked Myotubular Myopathy. Neuromuscular Disorders (2007) 17: 562-568.

• RH Brown Jr., PE Grant, CR Pierson. Case Records of Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 35-2006: A Newborn Boy with Hypotonia. N Engl J Med (2006) 355: 2132-2142.

• CR Pierson, K Tomczak, P Agrawal, B Moghadaszadeh, AH Beggs. The Myotubular and Centronuclear Myopathies. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol (2005) 64: 555-564.