Ewha Womans University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Yun-Sil Lee's research lab focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced lung injury and cancer progression, with a central emphasis on stress response proteins such as Hsp27 and signaling molecules like myostatin and GDF-11. The lab investigates the roles of these proteins in fibrosis, apoptosis resistance, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis and cancer treatment resistance. Current research directions include the development of Hsp27 inhibitors and the modulation of TGF-β superfamily signaling pathways to improve clinical outcomes.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), induced by heat shock, environmental, and pathophysiological stressors, is a multi-functional protein that acts as a protein chaperone and an antioxidant. HSP27 plays a significant role in the inhibition of apoptosis and actin cytoskeletal remodeling. HSP27 is upregulated in many cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis, as well as treatment resistance, whereby cells are protected from therapeutic agents that normally induce apoptosis. This review highlights
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), including acute radiation pneumonitis and chronic radiation-induced lung fibrosis, is the most common side effect of radiation therapy. RILI is a complicated process that causes the accumulation, proliferation, and differentiation of fibroblasts and, finally, results in excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Currently, there are no approved treatment options for patients with radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) partly due to the absence of effect
Myostatin (MSTN) and growth and differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) are highly related TGF-β family members that have distinct biological functions. MSTN is expressed primarily in skeletal muscle and acts to limit muscle growth. GDF-11 is expressed more widely and plays multiple roles, including regulating axial skeletal patterning during development. Several MSTN and GDF-11 binding proteins have been identified, including GDF-associated serum protein-1 (GASP-1) and GASP-2, which are capable of i
Collectively, IkBα-NFkB signaling activation by Hsp27, which resulted in the facilitation of Twist, IL1β, and IL6 expression, is involved in the EMT process that is tightly connected to the development of IR-induced lung fibrosis. Our findings also suggest that inhibition of Hsp27 has the potential to become a valuable therapeutic strategy for IR-induced lung fibrosis.
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