Seung-Heo Lee
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology · Medicine
About the Lab
Professor Seung-Heo Lee's research lab focuses on the immunological mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases, with a particular emphasis on the roles of innate immune cells—such as basophils, T helper cells, and fibroblasts—in shaping adaptive immune responses. The lab investigates how cytokines like IL-4, IL-13, and IL-6, as well as cellular crosstalk involving lymphatic endothelial cells and immune effectors, regulate inflammation in conditions like asthma, allergic diseases, and fibrotic disorders. A key focus is on the interplay between cellular metabolism, oxidative stress (e.g., mitochondrial ROS), and immune cell function, especially in the context of environmental triggers such as fungal proteases. The lab also explores novel therapeutic strategies, including cytokine blockade and protein-cage nanoparticles for targeted delivery of immunomodulatory agents.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Lymphatic vessels (LVs) are critical for immune surveillance and involved in the pathogenesis of diverse diseases. LV density is increased during inflammation; however, little is known about how the resolution of LVs is controlled in different inflammatory conditions. Here we show the negative effects of T helper type 2 (TH2) cells and their cytokines on LV formation. IL-4 and IL-13 downregulate essential transcription factors of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and inhibit tube formation. Co-
Protein-cage nanoparticles are promising multifunctional platforms for targeted delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. The major advantage of protein-cage nanoparticles is the ability to decorate their surfaces with multiple functionalities through genetic and chemical modification to achieve desired properties for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. Specific peptides identified by phage display can be genetically fused
Abstract Basophils are rare, circulating granulocytes proposed to be involved in T helper (T H ) type 2 immunity, mainly through secretion of interleukin (IL)-4. In addition to IL-4, basophils produce IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in response to immunoglobulin E (IgE) crosslinking. Differentiation of T H 17 cells requires IL-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, but whether basophils play a significant role in T H 17 induction is unknown. Here we show a role for basophils in T H 17
Our findings indicate that Nox2 deficiency results in exaggerated experimental asthma, which is caused by enhanced Th2 effector function in a T-cell-intrinsic manner.
Fibroblasts are primarily considered as cells that support organ structures and are currently receiving attention for their roles in regulating immune responses in health and disease. Fibroblasts are assigned distinct phenotypes and functions in different organs owing to their diverse origins and functions. Their roles in the immune system are multifaceted, ranging from supporting homeostasis to inducing or suppressing inflammatory responses of immune cells. As a major component of immune cells,
Elevated levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to the development of airway inflammation. In this study, we investigated the role of Aspergillus proteases-which contribute to the pathogenesis of Aspergillus-induced diseases such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and atopic asthma-and their mechanisms of action in airway inflammation using primary human bronchial epithelial cells, and evaluated the inflammatory responses mediated by
Integrin CD18, a component of the LFA-1 complex that also includes CD11a, is essential for Th2, but not Th1, cell homing, but the explanation for this phenomenon remains obscure. In this study, we investigate the mechanism by which Th2 effector responses require the LFA-1 complex. CD11a-deficient T cells showed normal in vitro differentiation and function. However, Th2 cell-dependent allergic lung disease was markedly reduced in CD11a null mice and wild-type mice given LFA-1 inhibitors, whereas
Research Areas
Dive deeper into Seung-Heo Lee's research on Nubint
Open this lab's papers in the app to read with AI, summarize, and cite in your writing.