Department of Immunology at University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh		UPMC		Health Sciences @ Pitt		School of Medicine

	Department of Immunology

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E1040
Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower
Phone: 412-383-9737
Fax: 412-383-8098

Faculty

	Christine A. Milcarek , Ph.D. Professor E1054 BST (Office) E1011 & E1008 BST (Labs) Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Phone: 412.648.9098 Email: milcarek@pitt.edu Fax: 412.648.7042 Faculty Research Interests

Research Interests
We are interested in understanding the regulation of heavy chain immunoglobulin (Ig) RNA processing and the development of immunological memory during B-cell development. Alterations in the homeostatic regulation of Ig secretion may result in immunodeficiency-like states while overproduction can occur in diseases like amyloidosis, arthritis, or myeloma. Understanding the basic mechanisms of secretory mRNA production may lead to insights for control and disease amelioration.

Education
B.S. - Duquesne University Ph.D. - Johns Hopkins University Postdoc - Massachusetts Institute of Technology Honors Distinguished Mentor (1999) - Survival Skills and Ethics Program, University of Pittsburgh Woman of Distinction (2000) - Girl Scouts of Southwestern PA (Trillium Council) Master Educator, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh (2009-2014 ) National Board of Medical Examiners Step 1 Test Material Development Committee (2011-2013)

Academic Affiliation
Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Member, Graduate Programs in Immunology and Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics Chair, Committee on the Status of Women, American Association of Immunologists (2007-2009) Member, Committee on the Status of Women, American Association of Immunologists (2006-2009)

Selected Publications
Price, P., E.C. McKinney, Y. Wang, L.E. Sasser, M. K. Kandasamy, L. Matsuuchi, C. Milcarek, R.B. Deal, D.G. Culver and R. B. Meagher (2009) "Engineered cell surface expression of membrane immunoglobulin as a means to identify monoclonal antibody-secreting hybridomas." Journal of Immunological Methods 343 (1):28-41. Epub 2009 Jan 31. PMID: 19187782 K. Martincic, S. A. Alkan, A. Cheatle, L. Borghesi and C. Milcarek (2009) Transcription elongation factor ELL2 directs immunoglobulin secretion in plasma cells by stimulating altered RNA processing. Nature Immunology 10 (10): 1102-9. PMID: 19749764 R. Pal1, M. Janz, D. L. Galson1, K. Johrens, I. Anagnostopoulos, B. Dorken, M. Y. Mapara1, L. Borghesi, L. Kardava, C. Milcarek, and S. Lentzsch (2009) C/EBP? Regulates IRF4-Dependent Transcription Factors Critical for Proliferation and Survival in Multiple Myeloma. Blood 114(18):3890-8. Epub 2009 Aug 28.PMID: 19717648. K. J. Hockert; K. Martincic; S. M. L. C. Mendis-Handagama; L. A. Borghesi; C. Milcarek; B. Dass; C. MacDonald. (2011) Spermatogenetic But Not Immunological Defects in Mice Lacking the &[tau]CstF-64 Polyadenylation Protein. Journal Reproductive Immunology 89: 26-37. doi:10.1016/j.jri.2011.01.018 Kardava L, Yang Q, St Leger A, Foon KA, Lentzsch S, Vallejo AN, Milcarek C, Borghesi L. (2011) The B lineage transcription factor E2A regulates apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. Int Immunol. 23(6):375-84. Epub 2011 May 6. PMID: 21551245 Milcarek, C., Albring, M., Langer, C., Park, K.S. (2011) The Eleven-Nineteen Lysine-rich Leukemia gene (ELL2) influences the histone H3 modifications accompanying the shift to secretory Immunoglobulin heavy chain mRNA production. J. Biol. Chem. 286: 33795-33803. Milcarek, C. (2011) Hide and go seek: activation of the secretory-specific poly (A) site of Igh by transcription elongation factors/ Control of RNA Polymerase II elongation, RNA polyadenylation, and chromatin modification: collaboration for efficient transcription and high yield. in "RNA Processing", ISBN 978-953-307-332-3. Permanent Link Santos, P. Arumemi, F.O., Park, K.S., Borghesi, L. and Milcarek, C. (2011) Transcriptional and Epigenetic Regulation of B Cell Development. Immunological Research 50: 105-112. edited by O.J. Finn, PMID: 2171707 Download PDF PubMed Link

Grants
Title: Role of ELL2 in RNA polyadenylation versus splicing Agency: NSF Role: PI Funding Period: 2009-2012

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