Research Interest

Research Summary

The major interesting research of our lab. is to investigate immune regulatory effects (Regulatory T cell, Th1, Th2, Th17, Th3 cells differentiation and activation & alternative activated macrophage function) and to find related genes or proteins in helminthic parasite infection. In previous study, we isolated several immune regulator candidate protein coding genes, including As-MIF, Tl-GAL, Ts-Stefin. These proteins could and enhance regulatory function include regulatory T cell recruitment in various immune disorder model mice. In addition, we also interested in finding new helminthic parasite recognition receptor. If it is found, we easily can explain same Th2 response in host against different helminthic parasite infection.

Ongoing Research Projects

1. Development of treatment and prevention technique against immune disorder using parasite

2. Development of obesity treatment technique using parasite derived metabolites and finding of mechanisms

- The causes of obesity in modern society are various, including westernized diet, lack of exercise, and reduction of intestinal parasite infection.

- In recent years, the development of immunology technology has shown that chronic inflammatory reaction involving Th1 and Th17 is important in the process of obesity, and these events elicit M1 macrophage activate and consequently obesity worsens.

- Parasitic infections by themselves can deplete the host's nutrients to lower the body fat ratio, in addition, activate Th2 cells, regulatory T cells, eosinophils and M2 macrophages, thereby inhibiting M1 macrophage-associated inflammation and inhibit obesity processing. However, it is not yet known whether any of the metabolites of parasites play such a role.

- We will investigate precisely the obesity-suppressing immune response caused by parasitic infections and find the factors in various metabolites including secretory excretory antigens involved in the inhibition of obesity.

3. Identification of allergic antigen from Acanthamoeba and study of the mechanism

- Asthma is one of the major noncommunicable diseases. It was estimated that more than 339 million people had Asthma globally in 2016. The strongest risk factors for developing asthma are inhaled substances and particles that may provoke allergic reactions or irritate the airways.

- Acanthamoeba are free-living, amphizoic and opportunistic protozoa that are common in nature. A previous study demonstrated that Acanthamoeba trophozoites induced allergic airway inflammation in mice by inducing a Th2 response.

- In Acanthamoeba, two isoforms of profilin (Ac-PF) have been identifie. PF increased the numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils in the BALF and levels of Th2 cytokines. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms used by Ac-PF to enhance allergenic reactions. Additionally, alterations in immunocytes in vitro and how Ac-PF influences activation of innate immunity should be examined, which may facilitate diagnosis and the development of new treatments for allergic diseases in the future.

4. Identification of the function Adipose stem cell exosome against allergic airway inflammation.

Selected publication (*Recent Corresponding)

1. Phylogenetic positioning of a Strongyloides stercoralis isolate recovered from a Korean patient and comparison with other Asian isolates. Bae JH, Jeong MJ, Shin DH, Kim HW, Ahn SH, Choi JH, Yu HS. Korean J Parasitol. 2020;58(6):689-694.

2. Effects of lifelong spontaneous exercise on the M1/M2 macrophage polarization ratio and gene expression in adipose tissue of super-aged mice. Baek KW, Lee DI, Jeong MJ, Kang SA, Choe Y, Yoo JI, Yu HS, Kim JS. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Nov;141:111091

3. Trichinella spiralis infection ameliorated diet-induced obesity model in mice. Kang SA, Choi JH, Baek KW, Lee DI, Jeong MJ, Yu HS. Int J Parasitol. 2020 Sep 20:S0020-7519(20)30255-1.

4. Prevalence of scabies in long-term care hospitals in South Korea. Kim DH, Yun SY, Park YC, Kang SA, Yu HS. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Aug 18;14(8):e0008554.

5. Identification of Free-Living Amoebas in Tap Water of Buildings with Storage Tanks in Korea. Lee DI, Park SH, Baek JH, Yoon JW, Jin SI, Han KE, Yu HS. Korean J Parasitol. 2020 Apr;58(2):191-194.

6. Phylogenetic Characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Lato in Uzbekistan. Kim HJ, Yong TS, Shin MH, Lee KJ, Park GM, Suvonkulov U, Kovalenko D, Yu HS. Korean J Parasitol. 2020 Apr;58(2):205-210.

7. Differences in macrophage polarization in the adipose tissue of obese mice under various levels of exercise intensity. Baek KW, Lee DI, Kang SA, Yu HS. J Physiol Biochem. 2020 Feb;76(1):159-168.

8. Adoptive transfer of Trichinella spiralis-activated macrophages can ameliorate both Th1- and Th2-activated inflammation in murine models. Kang SA, Park MK, Park SK, Choi JH, Lee DI, Song SM, Yu HS. Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 25;9(1):6547.

9. Therapeutic effects of Echinococcus granulosus cystic fluid on allergic airway inflammation. Kim HJ, Kang SA, Yong TS, Shin MH, Lee KJ, Park GM, Suvonkulov U, Yu HS. Exp Parasitol. 2019 Mar;198:63-70.

10. An advanced protocol for the purification of whipworm eggs from feces for use as therapeutic agents. Choi JH, Park SK, Park MK, Kang SA, Lee D, Song SM, Kim HJ, Park SH, Kim EM, Yu HS. Parasitol Int. 2019 Jun;70:41-45.

11. Acanthamoeba profilin elicits allergic airway inflammation in mice. Song SM, Kang SA, Park HK, Kim DH, Park SY, Jang SB, Yu HS. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018 Dec 17;12(12):e0006979.

12. Identification of a host collagen inducing factor from the excretory secretory proteins of Trichinella spiralis. Park MK, Kim HJ, Cho MK, Kang SA, Park SY, Jang SB, Yu HS. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018 Nov 1;12(11):e0006516.

13. Practical Algorisms for PCR-RFLP-Based Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Lato. Kim HJ, Yong TS, Shin MH, Lee KJ, Park GM, Suvonkulov U, Kovalenko D, Yu HS. Korean J Parasitol. 2017 Dec;55(6):679-684.

14. Adhesion of Acanthamoeba on Cosmetic Contact Lenses. Lee SM, Lee JE, Lee DI, Yu HS. J Korean Med Sci. 2018 Jan 22;33(4):e26.

15. Culture supernatant of adipose stem cells can ameliorate allergic airway inflammation via recruitment of CD4+CD25+Foxp3 T cells. Yu HS, Park MK, Kang SA, Cho KS, Mun SJ, Roh HJ. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017 Jan 23;8(1):8.

16. The induction of the collagen capsule synthesis by Trichinella spiralis is closely related to protease-activated receptor 2. Park MK, Cho MK, Kang SA, Kim BY, Yu HS. Vet Parasitol. 2016 Oct 30;230:56-61.

17. Preventive Intra Oral Treatment of Sea Cucumber Ameliorate OVA-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation. Lee DI, Park MK, Kang SA, Choi JH, Kang SJ, Lee JY, Yu HS. Am J Chin Med. 2016;44(8):1663-1674