Karen-Sue Carlson Laboratory
Assistant Investigator Karen-Sue Carlson, MD, PhD, studies the mechanisms that direct cell development in the bone marrow.
Blood cell production begins in the bone marrow and is supported by a wealth of factors, otherwise referred to as the “hematopoietic niche.” The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is an important component of this niche. Sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the PNS all innervate the bone marrow and transmit signals between the central nervous system and marrow to coordinate blood cell production and release into the peripheral circulation.
We actively collaborate with other laboratories at Versiti Blood Research Institute to study hematopoietic development and malignancy, including those of: Sid Rao, MD, PhD; Hartmut Weiler, PhD; Nan Zhu, PhD; and John Pulikkan, PhD.
The central focus of my laboratory is to understand (1) the developmental cues that direct PNS fibers to engage with the bone marrow; (2) the mechanisms by which PNS-glial cells, i.e. Schwann cells, contribute to hematopoietic regulation; and (3) biological factors critical to maintaining these nerve fibers around and within the bone marrow.
By learning how “healthy” bone marrow develops, we will be able to apply this knowledge to blood cell malignancies, such as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in which bone marrow innervation is disordered by pre-existing conditions, medications and by the cancers themselves. Our long-term goal is to use this new knowledge to help treat and perhaps even prevent bone marrow cancers like AML and ALL.
Our laboratory has two primary projects:
Green = Schwann Cell (GFP); Magenta = Axon (Neurofilament); Blue = Nuclei (DAPI)
Micrograph showing bone marrow innervation by peripheral nerve fibers.
Associate Investigator (adjunct)
Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology
The Medical College of Wisconsin
Associate Investigator (adjunct)
Blood Research Institute Versiti
Post-Graduate Clinical and Research Training
Postdoctoral Fellowship: The Rockefeller University (Mentor: Dr. Sidney Strickland)
Internal Medicine Internship: New York Presbyterian, Weill-Cornell Medical Center
Internal Medicine Residency: New York Presbyterian, Weill-Cornell Medical Center
Hematology/Oncology Fellowship: New York Presbyterian, Weill-Cornell Medical Center
MD/PhD
MD/PhD Dual Degree program; Ph.D. from department of Biomolecular Chemistry (Mentor: Dr. Bradford Schwartz)
M.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA
B.A. Chemistry; B.A. Music
Southern Methodist University
1R03HL155174-01 Carlson (PI); 12/1/2020--11/30/2022 NIH/NHLBI Schwann Cell Regulation of Hematopoiesis This project will examine the role of peripheral nerve support-cells, i.e. Schwann Cells (SCs), in bone marrow innervation and regulation of blood cell production. Role: Principal Investigator
MCW Cancer Center Team Science Award Hari (PI); 3/1/2021—2/28/2023 Leveraging the biology of cancer health disparities to improve outcomes in multiple myeloma Role: Co-Investigator with Dr. Sridhar Rao (Project IV)—MDS/AML in Multiple Myeloma This project will identify the mechanism(s) by which Multiple Myeloma and related plasma cell disorders induce myeloid malignancies and the impact that stress has upon the evolution of the myeloid disorder.
Carlson (PI); 04/01/2020 –12/31/2021 Froedtert Hospital and the Scott Garrett Leukemia Research Foundation Neural Regulation of AML This project will determine whether Schwann cells isolated from patients and mice are differentially regulated by leukemic versus steady-state hematopoiesis. Role: Principal Investigator
Carlson (PI); 04/01/2020 –ongoing MCW Paulette Kroll Leukemia Research Fund Role: Principal Investigator