Expertise at Chang Gung System

Abel Chih-Hung Lee , M.D., PhD.
Institution: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
Position: Associate Professor
Department: Dermatology
Mail Address: 123 Dapi Rd, Niaosng District, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan
Tel: +886-7-731-7123 ext.2299
E-mail: zieben@cgmh.org.tw

Focus of Interest:
  • Molecular Immunology
  • Pathophysiology of itch
  • Chemical carcinogenesis
  • Environmental medicine

Research Summary
This laboratory has been focusing on the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in keloids, itch in atopic dermatitis (AD), and arsenic skin cancers. Incorporated with a comprehensive dermatology patient care in the medical center, an integrative live cell imaging ability, steady molecular and cell biology performance, this lab pursues the molecular mechanisms and the targeting therapeutic modalities in those diseases.

We found blood monocytes contribute to keloid pathogenesis by upregulating MCP-1 and AKT in fibroblasts, indicating a primary immunological defect in keloid pathogenesis (Exp Dermatol, 2010). Recently, we found that TGF-beta1 induces cell rigidity through smooth muscle actin in fibroblasts (J Dermatol Sci, 2012). Regarding to pathophysiology of itch, we found serum beta-endorphin level is associated with the subjective itch intensity in patients with AD (Brit J Dermatol, 2006). IL-31, a cytokine related to pruritus, activates IL-31R in keratinocytes, leading to calcium propagation, STAT3 activation, and finally release of beta-endorphin in AD (Brit J Dermatol, 2012). ORAI1, a calcium channel associated protein important in T cell activation, is found to have genetic polymorphism associated with AD (PLoS One, 2012). Cortical activation pattern is distinct for pain and itch as measured by near infrared spectroscope (NIRS) (PLoS One, 2013). In arsenic carcinogenesis, we reported that arsenic mobilizes epidermal Langerhans cells to regional lymph nodes and elicits a Th1 response (Biochem Pharmacol, 2012). In addition, we reported there is a synergistically apoptotic effect of arsenic and UVB in keratinocytes due to differential caspases activation (Chem Res Toxicol, 2004). Arsenic causes aberrant keratinocyte proliferation through mtTFA-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis (Am J Pathol, 2011). Further, mitochondria-derived oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA damage are involved in the development of arsenic cancers (J Invest Dermatol, 2013).

Employment Records:
2003 - 2013 Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2008 - 2013 Chair, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2009 - 2012 Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2012 - 2013 Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2013 – now Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Education:
1990-1997 MD, Medicine,Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan
2001-2003 MS, Medicine,Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
2003-2010 PhD, Medicine,Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
2004-2006 Visiting Scholar, Dermatology Branch, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

Selected Publications:
1. Lee, C.H., Wu, S.B., Hong, C.H., Chen, G.S., Wei, Y.H., Yu, H.S. Involvement of mitochondrial DNA damage elicited by oxidative stress in the arsenical skin cancers. J Invest Dermatol, 2013, 133(7):1890-900.

2. Lee, C.H., Hong, C.H., Yu, W.T., Chuang, H.Y., Huang, S.K., Chen, G.S., Yoshioka, T., Sakata, M., Liao, W.T., Ko, Y.C., Yu, H.S. Mechanistic correlations between two itch biomarkers, cytokine interleukin-31 and neuropeptide β-endorphin, via STAT3/calcium axis in atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol. 2012, 167(4):794-803.

3. Lee, C.H., Hong, C.H., Yu, C.L., Wang, L.F., Clausen, B.E., Liao, W.T., Huang, S.K., Chen, G.S., Yu, H.S. Arsenic mobilizes Langerhans cell migration and induces Th1 response in epicutaneous protein sensitization via CCL21: a plausible cause of decreased Langerhans cells in arsenic-induced intraepithelial carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol. 2012, 83(9):1290-9.

4. Lee, C.H., Wu, S.B., Hong, C.H., Liao, W.T., Wu, C.Y., Chen G.S., Wei, Y.H., Yu, H.S. Aberrant cell proliferation by enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis through mtTFA in arsenical skin cancers. Am J Pathol. 2011, 178(5):2066-76.

5. Lee, C. H., Kakinuma, T., Wang, J., Zhang, H., Palmer, D. C., Restifo, N. P. and Hwang, S. T., Sensitization of B16 tumor cells with a CXCR4 antagonist increases the efficacy of immunotherapy for established lung metastases. Mol Cancer Ther 2006. 5: 2592-2599.

Honor and Awards:
  • 2013 Invited Chair, Psoriasis 2013 Congress of Psoriasis International Network, Paris, France.
  • 2013 Initial Meeting Abstract Reviewer, International Investigative Dermatology, Edinburgh, UK.
  • 2012 Invited talk in Japanese Society of Investigative Dermatology, Okinawa, Japan.
  • 2011 Invited talks in a course (Molecular biology, an introduction) and a workshop (Arsenic, an environmental thread), and invited as a chair in the free paper session (Molecular biology and wound healing) in Word Congress of Dermatology, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 2011 Invited talk, Branch of Pulmonary and Critical Care, NHLBI, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
  • 2010 Invited talk, 6th Conference of Metal Toxicity and Carcinogenesis, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KA.
  • 2010 Selected oral presentation, Annual Meeting of Society of Investigative Dermatology, Atlanta, GA.
  • 2008 Travel grant, Annual Meeting of International Investigative Dermatology, Kyoto, Japan.
  • 2008 Travel grant, International Pigment Cell Conference, Hokkaido, Japan.
  • 2007 Outstanding Grant Proposal Award, Taiwanese Dermatology Association, Taipei, Taiwan.
  • 2004 Visiting fellow, NIH/NCI intramural trainee program, Bethesda, MD.
  • 2003 Best Chief Resident, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
  • 2002 Young Investigator’s Award, International Congress of Internal Medicine. Kyoto, Japan.
  • 2001 Travel grant, Japanese Society of Investigative Dermatology, Ehime, Japan.
  • 1997 Rank number three in National Medical Licensure Exam, Taipei.
  • 1997 Rank number one in 1997 medical graduates, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung.
  • 1996 Outstanding scholar, Professor Ye's Pathology Award, Taipei.
Source:
Mouse strains: DTR-Langerin
Cell lines: HSC-1, MyLa, A431, B16
Special technology: Experimental lung metastasis