Publications by authors named "Alexa Williams"
Article Synopsis
- TLRs (Toll-like receptors) start immune responses by using TIR (Toll/IL-1R) domains, but some bacteria have their own TIR proteins to evade immune detection.
- Initial studies on a bacterial TIR from Acinetobacter baumannii revealed structural insights but didn't clarify how it binds NAD, leading to further investigation.
- A collaborative research project involving undergraduates aimed to identify key amino acids for the NADase activity of TIR domains from A. baumannii and E. coli, providing new insights into their function and reaffirming the effectiveness of student-led research experiences.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how intraepithelial corneal nerves (ICNs) are influenced by corneal epithelial and immune cells, particularly after a trephine injury.
- Researchers used advanced imaging techniques (FIB-SEM) to observe how these cells handle axonal debris and the connection between sensory axons and the stability of the epithelial basement membrane (EBM).
- Findings revealed that axonal fragments are taken up by epithelial and immune cells post-injury, with a notable decrease in immune cell presence, and superficial injuries can negatively affect anterior stromal nerve integrity.
Decreased corneal innervation is frequent in patients with Sjögren Syndrome (SS). To investigate the density and morphology of the intraepithelial corneal nerves (ICNs), corneal sensitivity, epithelial cell proliferation, and changes in mRNA expression of genes that are involved in autophagy and axon targeting and extension were assessed using the IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25 null) model of SS. ICN density and thickness in male and female wt and CD25 null corneas were assessed at 4, 6, 8, and 10/11 wk of age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDry Eye disease causes discomfort and pain in millions of patients. Using a mouse acute desiccating stress (DS) model we show that DS induces a reduction in intraepithelial corneal nerve (ICN) density, corneal sensitivity, and apical extension of the intraepithelial nerve terminals (INTs) that branch from the subbasal nerves (SBNs). Topical application of 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProtein biomarkers for subtyping breast cancer and implications for future research.
Expert Rev Proteomics
February 2018
Breast cancer subtypes are currently defined by a combination of morphologic, genomic, and proteomic characteristics. These subtypes provide a molecular portrait of the tumor that aids diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment escalation/de-escalation options. Gene expression signatures describing intrinsic breast cancer subtypes for predicting risk of recurrence have been rapidly adopted in the clinic.
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