Nancy K. Wills, Ph.D.,

Professor

  • Affiliations: Department of Neuroscience & Cell Biology
  • Route: 1069, 2.138B Medical Research Building (MRB)
  • Tel: (409) 772-2962
  • Fax: (409) 772-2789
  • nkwills@utmb.edu

Nancy K. Wills, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Work in my laboratory is focused on epithelial cell physiology, most recently the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This important layer of cells is located adjacent to the photoreceptors of the retina and performs functions that are crucial for photoreceptor survival. Dysfunctions of the RPE are believed to contribute to age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

Presently research in my laboratory is focused on the role of metals including the toxic element cadmium on RPE function. Cadmium is an environmental pollutant that is concentrated by plants, including tobacco plants. Tobacco smoking is one of the few known risk factors that has been linked to age-related macular degeneration. We are evaluating the role of cadmium in smoking-related retinal disease. Our work demonstrated that cadmium accumulates in the aging human RPE and that levels are higher in elderly women than in men. We also showed that cadmium exposure is toxic to cultured human RPE cells. Cadmium interferes with the metabolism of zinc and copper, two metals that are essential for normal retinal function. We recently also found distinct age and gender-related differences in the distribution of zinc and copper in human retinal tissues. Work is currently underway to assess the distribution of these metals in eyes affected with age-related macular degeneration.

My laboratory uses molecular biology, electrophysiology, cell culture, biochemical, and optical techniques to understand the factors that regulate the transport of metals and other ions in the RPE.

Awards and grant support for Dr. Wills’ research have included the Hope for Vision foundation, NIH, NSF, the American Heart Association, American Society of Nephrology and the John Sealy Memorial Endowment for Biomedical Science, and private foundations.

Publications

Wills, N.K. , Sadagopa Ramanujam, V.M., Chang-Strepka, J. Kalariya, N., Lewis, J.R.. and van Kuijk, F.J.  Cadmium Accumulation in the Aging Human Retina. Expt. Eye Res.2008; 86(1):41-51.

Wills, N.K., Ramanujam, V.M.-S.,  Kalariya, N., Lewis, J.R.. and van Kuijk, F.J.M..  Copper and zinc distribution in the human retina: Relationship to cadmium accumulation, age, and gender. Expt. Eye Res.2008; in press.

Other Representative Publications

Ramana, K.V., Chandra, D., Wills, N.K., Christensen, B., Srivastva, S. Oxidative stress-induced upregulation of the ClC-3 chloride channel and Na+/Ca2+ exchange during catatactogenesis in diabetic rats. J. Diabetes and Its Complications, 2004; 18(3): 177-82.

Mo, L., Xiang, W., Qian, T., Sun, H., and Wills, N.K. Coexpression of cDNA fragments and restoration of chloride channel function in a Dent's disease mutation of ClC-5. Am. J. Physiol.: Cell, Cell 2004 286(1): p. C79-C89.

Mo., L. and Wills, N.K. ClC-5 chloride channels modulate ENaC channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. J. Memb. Biol. 2004, 201:1-17.