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Alexandra L. Howell, Ph.D.

Title(s):
Research Associate Professor of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology

Department(s):
Medicine
Microbiology and Immunology

Education:
University of Texas, Ph.D., 1982
Colby College, BA, 1977

Dr. Howell received her B.A. from Colby College in 1977, and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 1982. After postdoctoral work as a research fellow and research associate in the department of Microbiology at Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. Howell joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology and Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School in 1984.

Programs:
Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine

Curriculum Vitae:
Howell_A_CV_2009-02-13.pdf

NIH Biosketch:
Howell_A_BIO_2009-02-13.pdf

Websites:
http://dms.dartmouth.edu/microbio/
http://dms.dartmouth.edu/immuno/
http://dms.dartmouth.edu/pemm/

Contact Information:

VA Medical Center
Research Service
215 North Main St.
White River Jct. VT 05009
Office: Building T44-VA Hospital
Phone: 802-295-9363 ext 5612
Fax: 802-296-5173
Email: alexandra.howell@dartmouth.edu


Selected Publications:

 

Mselle TF, Howell AL, Ghosh M, Wira CR, Sentman CL
Human uterine natural killer cells but not blood natural killer cells inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection by secretion of CXCL12.
J Virol 2009 Nov; 83(21):11188-95
PMID: 19692460 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Asin SN, Eszterhas SK, Rollenhagen C, Heimberg AM, Howell AL
HIV type 1 infection in women: increased transcription of HIV type 1 in ectocervical tissue explants.
J Infect Dis 2009 Sep 15; 200(6):965-72
PMID: 19671015 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Lyimo MA, Howell AL, Balandya E, Eszterhas SK, Connor RI
Innate factors in human breast milk inhibit cell-free HIV-1 but not cell-associated HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2009 Jun 1; 51(2):117-24
PMID: 19346967 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Asin SN, Heimberg AM, Eszterhas SK, Rollenhagen C, Howell AL
Estradiol and progesterone regulate HIV type 1 replication in peripheral blood cells.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2008 May; 24(5):701-16
PMID: 18462082 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Howell AL, Asin SN, Yeaman GR, Wira CR
HIV-1 infection of the female reproductive tract.
Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2005 Feb; 2(1):35-8
PMID: 16091247 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Yeaman GR, Asin S, Weldon S, Demian DJ, Collins JE, Gonzalez JL, Wira CR, Fanger MW, Howell AL
Chemokine receptor expression in the human ectocervix: implications for infection by the human immunodeficiency virus-type I.
Immunology 2004 Dec; 113(4):524-33
PMID: 15554931 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Asin SN, Fanger MW, Wildt-Perinic D, Ware PL, Wira CR, Howell AL
Transmission of HIV-1 by primary human uterine epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts.
J Infect Dis 2004 Jul 15; 190(2):236-45
PMID: 15216456 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Asin SN, Wildt-Perinic D, Mason SI, Howell AL, Wira CR, Fanger MW
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection of human uterine epithelial cells: viral shedding and cell contact-mediated infectivity.
J Infect Dis 2003 May 15; 187(10):1522-33
PMID: 12721932 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Yeager MP, Procopio MA, DeLeo JA, Arruda JL, Hildebrandt L, Howell AL
Intravenous fentanyl increases natural killer cell cytotoxicity and circulating CD16(+) lymphocytes in humans.
Anesth Analg 2002 Jan; 94(1):94-9, table of contents
PMID: 11772808 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]


Professional Interests:

Our laboratory is studying the mechanisms by which sex steroid hormones, notably estradiol and progesterone, can modify HIV-1 transcription and replication in cells and tissues from the female reproductive tract. Using an ex vivo tissue explant model, we add sex hormones at concentrations that mimic those found during the menstrual cycle, and assess how varying hormone levels could modify HIV-1 reverse transcription, integration and transcription. In addition, we also study the ability of these hormones to induce the secretion of innate immune factors and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from reproductive tract tissue explants, and their effects on HIV-1 infection and replication. Other research projects focus on expression of naturally occurring innate immune factors found in cervico-vaginal fluid, and the ability of these soluble factors to inhibit HIV-1 infection and replication.

Grant Information:

V.A. Merit Review

Copyright © 2010 Trustees of Dartmouth College

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