J. Llewellyn

Substrate Stiffness Reshapes Layer Architecture and Biophysical Features of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Modulate their Differentiation Potential

This study shows that substrate stiffness affects hiPSC layer structure and biophysical properties, enhancing mesendoderm differentiation on softer substrates.

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.

Loss of cytoskeletal proteostasis links dysregulation of cell size and mechanotransduction in mesenchymal stem cell senescence

This study shows that loss of cytoskeletal proteostasis in senescent mesenchymal stem cells disrupts mechanotransduction and matrix protein secretion, linking cell size dysregulation to tissue maintenance issues.

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.

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.

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.

Senescence inhibits the chaperone response to thermal stress

The paper shows that senescence impairs the chaperone response to thermal stress in human mesenchymal stem cells, leading to misfolded protein accumulation.

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.

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.