Education & Certifications

  • Bachelor of Science, Westmont College, Biology, Chemistry, Music (2016)

Contact

  • awilk@stanford.edu
    University - Student Department: School of Medicine - IDP's - Immunology Position: Graduate
    University - Student Department: School of Medicine Position: Graduate, Medicine

All Publications

  • Diversification of human NK cells: Lessons from deep profiling. Journal of leukocyte biology Wilk, A. J., Blish, C. A. 2018

    Abstract

    NK cells are innate lymphocytes with important roles in immunoregulation, immunosurveillance, and cytokine production. Originally defined on the functional basis of their "natural" ability to lyse tumor targets and thought to be a relatively homogeneous group of lymphocytes, NK cells possess a remarkable degree of phenotypic and functional diversity due to the combinatorial expression of an array of activating and inhibitory receptors. Diversification of NK cells is multifaceted: mechanisms of NK cell education that promote self-tolerance result in a heterogeneous repertoire that further diversifies upon encounters with viral pathogens. Here, we review the genetic, developmental, and environmental sources of NK cell diversity with a particular focus on deep profiling and single-cell technologies that will enable a more thorough and accurate dissection of this intricate and poorly understood lymphocyte lineage.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/JLB.6RI0917-390R

    View details for PubMedID 29350874

  • Bordetella PlrSR regulatory system controls BvgAS activity and virulence in the lower respiratory tract. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Bone, M. A., Wilk, A. J., Perault, A. I., Marlatt, S. A., Scheller, E. V., Anthouard, R., Chen, Q., Stibitz, S., Cotter, P. A., Julio, S. M. 2017; 114 (8): E1519–E1527

    Abstract

    Bacterial pathogens coordinate virulence using two-component regulatory systems (TCS). The Bordetella virulence gene (BvgAS) phosphorelay-type TCS controls expression of all known protein virulence factor-encoding genes and is considered the "master virulence regulator" in Bordetella pertussis, the causal agent of pertussis, and related organisms, including the broad host range pathogen Bordetella bronchiseptica We recently discovered an additional sensor kinase, PlrS [for persistence in the lower respiratory tract (LRT) sensor], which is required for B. bronchiseptica persistence in the LRT. Here, we show that PlrS is required for BvgAS to become and remain fully active in mouse lungs but not the nasal cavity, demonstrating that PlrS coordinates virulence specifically in the LRT. PlrS is required for LRT persistence even when BvgAS is rendered constitutively active, suggesting the presence of BvgAS-independent, PlrS-dependent virulence factors that are critical for bacterial survival in the LRT. We show that PlrS is also required for persistence of the human pathogen B. pertussis in the murine LRT and we provide evidence that PlrS most likely functions via the putative cognate response regulator PlrR. These data support a model in which PlrS senses conditions present in the LRT and activates PlrR, which controls expression of genes required for the maintenance of BvgAS activity and for essential BvgAS-independent functions. In addition to providing a major advance in our understanding of virulence regulation in Bordetella, which has served as a paradigm for several decades, these results indicate the existence of previously unknown virulence factors that may serve as new vaccine components and therapeutic or diagnostic targets.

    View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.1609565114

    View details for PubMedID 28167784

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5338435