Overview

Laboratory Introduction

OUaR Lab (Obstructive Upper aiway Research Laboratory)

OUaR Lab (Obstructive Upper aiway Research Laboratory)
Our laboratory conducts various translational researches to identify the etiologies of upper airway obstruction diseases and devise novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Upper airway obstructive disease causes various forms of hypoxia. Obstructive Sleep apnea, a typical upper airway obstructive disease, is caused by the narrowing of the upper airway and repeated blockage of airflow, resulting in hypoxia. This occurs high blood pressure, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. When the hypoxic condition is prolonged, it leads to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, leading to death. In this laboratory, it has been conducted for searching a biomarker for the early diagnosis and effective follow-up of hypoxic exposure conditions including sleep apnea research excavations since 2009. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is also a common disease that obstructs the upper airway. Nasal polyps have many clinical difficulties due to their recalcitrance and recurrence. We are investigating the pathogenesis of CRS and nasal polyposis. Hypoxia is also known to be a major determinant of cancer metastasis, survival and differentiation of cancer stem cells. We are seeking new fundamental treatment methods for cancer by identifying microenvironmental factors that affect cancer progression in relation to hypoxia.
Related Researcher
신현우

Hyun-Woo Shin Professor

Research topics

1. Endotype analysis to understand chronic rhinosinusitis that is a highly heterogeneous disease 2. Exploring new treatments by identifying the mechanism of nasal mucosa remodeling in nasal polyps 3. Discovering biomarkers for early diagnosis and effective follow-up of sleep apnea 4. A study on the mechanism of cancer metastasis and progression due to intermittent hypoxia in patients with sleep apnea 5. A study on the mechanism and exacerbation of chronic rhinosinusitis caused by particulate matter (PM)

Research goals
We aim to find cancer microenvironment factors following hypoxic conditions caused by upper airway diseases. Accordingly, it is expected to contribute to basic and clinical development by studying the major determinants affecting the metastasis and survival of cancer cells to find a fundamental treatment method. At the same time, we plan to investigate the cause of polyps and find new treatments through the remodeling of the nasal mucosa observed in polyps and studying various immunological characteristics.
Research achievements
1. DEP-induced ZEB2 promotes nasal polyp formation via epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2021 (corresponding, IF=10.793)
2. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 as a novel biomarker for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2021 (co-corresponding, IF=10.793)
3.Antibiotic-dependent relationships between the nasal microbiome and secreted proteome in nasal polyps. Allergy Asthma Immunol Research 2021 (corresponding, IF=5.764)
4. Effects of Wnt signaling on epithelial to mesenchymal transition in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp. Thorax. 2020;75:982-993. (co-corresponding, IF=10.844)
5.α-Helical cell-penetrating peptide-mediated nasal delivery of resveratrol for inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. J Control Release. 2020 Jan 10;317:181-194. (co-corresponding, IF=9.776)
Photos