R. G. Wells

Metabolically intact nuclei are fluidized by the activity of the chromatin remodeling motor BRG1

This study shows that BRG1 activity fluidizes the nucleus, altering its stiffness and dissipating mechanical energy, with implications for nuclear mechanics and remodeling.

Microcystin-RR is a biliary toxin selective for neonatal cholangiocytes

The paper identifies microcystin-RR as a biliary toxin that selectively damages neonatal cholangiocytes through redox stress mechanisms.

Human Vascularized Bile Duct-on-a Chip: A multi-cellular micro-physiological system for studying Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

This paper develops a vascularized bile duct-on-a-chip model to study PSC, showing PSC cholangiocytes exhibit increased inflammation under IL-17A stimulation.

Biliatresone treatment of pregnant mice causes changes in bile metabolism and liver inflammation in their offspring

This study shows that prenatal exposure to low-dose biliatresone in mice leads to altered bile metabolism and liver inflammation in offspring without histological damage.

Injury and a program of fetal wound healing in the fetal and neonatal extrahepatic bile duct

This study investigates the fetal response to injury in extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBDs) and identifies a fetal wound healing program characterized by high molecular weight HA, which may lead to obstruction in biliary atresia.

Glisson's capsule structure and function is altered in cirrhotic patients irrespective of etiology

This study examines changes in Glisson's capsule in liver disease, finding increased thickness and cellularity in cirrhosis regardless of cause, altered matrix composition, and reduced mechanical stiffness.

Lipid droplets are intracellular mechanical stressors that promote hepatocyte dedifferentiation

This study shows lipid droplets act as intracellular mechanical stressors that cause nuclear deformation and hepatocyte dedifferentiation, similar to tissue stiffening effects.

Local fat content determines global and local stiffness in livers with simple steatosis

The paper examines how fat accumulation in livers with simple steatosis affects liver stiffness, finding that fat softens the liver locally rather than uniformly.

Versican binds collagen via its G3 domain and regulates the organization and mechanics of collagenous matrices

This study identifies versican as a collagen-binding protein that regulates collagen matrix organization and mechanics through its G3 domain.

Periductal bile acid exposure causes cholangiocyte injury and fibrosis

This study shows that bile acid exposure causes cholangiocyte injury and fibrosis, with a non-toxic bile acid reducing these effects.

Efemp1 modulates elastic fiber formation and mechanics of the extrahepatic bile duct

This study shows EFEMP1 is crucial for elastic fiber formation and mechanical properties of the extrahepatic bile duct, with reduced EFEMP1 leading to increased compliance and potential role in biliary atresia.

Glycosaminoglycans Modulate Long-Range Mechanical Communication Between Cells in Collagen Networks

This paper shows that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) reduce long-range mechanical communication between cells in collagen networks by preventing collagen fiber alignment.

Scaling concepts in 'omics: nuclear lamin-B scales with tumor growth and predicts poor prognosis, whereas fibrosis can be pro-survival

The paper identifies scaling relationships between genes in cancer data, finding LMNB1 correlates with poor prognosis while fibrosis markers predict better survival.

Distinct effects of different matrix proteoglycans on collagen fibrillogenesis and cell-mediated collagen reorganization

Interstitial spaces are continuous across tissue and organ boundaries in humans

The paper tracks particles and hyaluronic acid to show interstitial spaces are continuous across tissue and organ boundaries in humans.

Lipid droplets disrupt mechanosensing in human hepatocytes

This study shows that lipid droplets in hepatocytes disrupt mechanosensing by altering YAP nuclear localization and affecting cell spreading and focal adhesions.

A Bile Duct-on-a-Chip with Organ-Level Functions

This paper develops a bile duct-on-a-chip that mimics bile duct structure and barrier function, enabling studies of cholangiocyte permeability and toxin effects.

Coordinated development of the mouse extrahepatic bile duct: implications for neonatal susceptibility to biliary injury

This study identifies four key anatomical and functional differences between neonatal and adult mouse extrahepatic bile ducts that may explain their susceptibility to injury.