Ching-Shwun Lin, PhD
Research Interests
Molecular Mechanism of Impotence
Tom Lue, MD Professor of Urology at UCSF, has developed an animal
model for studying impotence. Lin is using this model to identify
genes that are involved in the development of impotence. His preliminary
data showed that a novel variant of the neurological form of nitric
oxide synthase (nNOS) might be differentially expressed in normal
and impotent animals. Other genes, such as androgen receptor and
phosphodiesterases, are also being investigated currently.
Molecular Mechanism of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a large social and economic problem.
In particular, female incontinence is estimated to afflict approximately
20 million American women. By using an animal model developed
by Lue, Lin is currently investigating genes that may be involved
in the atrophy of muscles and nerves. He is also comparing genes
of several growth factors, neurological receptors, and steroid
hormone receptors in normal and diseased urinary bladders and
urethras.
Molecular Mechanism of Peyronie's Disease
This disease is manifested clinically as having a bent penis
during erection. Lue's team has discovered that the transforming
growth factor (TGF-b) is produced in excess in the diseased tissues.
Lin is now developing a cell culture model to further study at
the molecular level both the cause and the consequence of excessive
production of TGF-b.
Molecular Marker of Prostate and Bladder Cancer
Lin has identified and cloned a gene called L-plastin, which
is abnormally synthesized in a variety of cancers, including prostate
and bladder cancers. The L-plastin gene is not only a marker,
but also a potential target for gene therapy for these cancers.
He is currently testing an antisense gene therapy strategy in
cultured cancer cells.
Molecular Mechanism for L-plastin Gene Regulation in Prostate
Cancer
Lin has cloned the entire L-plastin gene and is investigating
how it is abnormally activated in cancer cells. He has identified
several genetic elements in the L-plastin gene promoter as potential
targets for hormonal actions. Specifically, he has preliminary
data showing that the L-plastin gene can be activated by estrogen,
progesterone, and testosterone.
Immunogene Therapy for Prostate Cancer
In collaboration with Lung-Ji Chang, PhD of the University of
Florida, Lin is in the process of developing a novel animal model
for studying the feasibility of clinical immunogene therapy for
prostate cancer. The model is a "humanized SCID-bg"
mouse, having been reconstituted with the human immune system.
These humanized mice are expected to utilize the human immune
system to mount a potent, long-term immune response when vaccinated
with a cancer vaccine. To construct a prostate cancer vaccine,
Lin has engineered prostate cancer cells to synthesize human immunostimulatory
molecules that are expected to activate the human immune system
in the humanized mice and in future clinical trial patients.
Roles of Integrins in Cancer and Urological Diseases
Integrins are transmembrane receptors for extracellular matrix
proteins. They play important roles in both normal cell functions
and disease development. Specifically, Lin has identified a 6
integrin as an important molecule in the development of fibrosarcomas
and breast cancer. Abnormal expression of integrins have also
been reported in a variety of urological diseases. Specifically,
Lin will use his expertise in integrin research to study urological
cancers and degenerative urinary diseases (impotence and incontinence).
return
to top
|
