CAP Profile

Research Interest 

I am interested in understanding the mechanisms and cell types that control immune activation and harnessing the immune system to combat human disease. My research focuses on the T regulatory type 1 T cells. This subtype of T cells is generated in the periphery and produces high amounts of IL-10, leading to immune regulation. We are interested in better understanding the ability of Tr1 cells to kill myeloid cells, in particular Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cells. I have generated Tr1 cell lines using lentiviral transduction of IL-10 and am in the process of using these cell lines to determine which primary pediatric patient AML subtypes are killed by Tr1s. By characterizing the surface marker expression of sensitive AML subtypes, I can identify candidate molecules that contribute to Tr1 mediated killing. I am also researching the molecular identity of Tr1 cells. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, running, brewing beer, and playing board games.

Publications

1. Cieniewicz B, Santana AL, Minkah N, Krug LT. Interplay of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 with NF-kappaB Signaling of the Host. Front Microbiol. 2016 Aug 17;7:1202.
2. Cieniewicz B*, Dong Q*, Li G, Forrest JC, Mounce BC, Tarakanova VL, van der Velden A, Krug LT. Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Pathogenesis Is Independent of Caspase-1 and Caspase-11 in Mice and Impairs Interleukin-1β Production upon Extrinsic Stimulation in Culture. J Virol. 2015 Jul;89(13):6562-74. * indicates co-authorship
3. Cieniewicz B, Carpino N, Krug LT. Enhanced response of T cells from murine gammaherpesvirus 68-infected mice lacking the suppressor of T cell receptor signaling molecules Sts-1 and Sts-2. PLoS One. 2014 Feb 28;9(2):e90196.
4. Rivera A, Winters I, Rued A, Ding S, Posfai D, Cieniewicz B, Cameron K, Gentile L, Hill A. The evolution and function of the Pax/Six regulatory network in sponges. Evol Dev. 2013 May;15(3):186-96.
5. Rivera AS, Hammel JU, Haen KM, Danka ES, Cieniewicz B, Winters IP, Posfai D, Wörheide G, Lavrov DV, Knight SW, Hill MS, Hill AL, Nickel M. RNA interference in marine and freshwater sponges: actin knockdown in Tethya wilhelma and Ephydatia muelleri by ingested dsRNA expressing bacteria. BMC Biotechnol. 2011 Jun 16;11:67.