Organization
Inflammation and Epithelial Plasticity
Staff
Associate Professor
VOON, Dominic Chih Cheng
Aims and the Projects We are interested in the relationship between inflammation and epithelial plasticity in the gastrointestinal tissue microenvironment, especially in their contribution to tumorigenesis. Specifically, we aim to study the role of epithelial-derived cytokines in gastrointestinal immunity, inflammation and cancer, through a combination of biochemical, immunological and genetics approaches. During this, we will measure changes in epithelial biology under inflammatory conditions, especially increases in phenotypic plasticity. Through these studies, we aim to gain insights on how to manage and interrupt the chronic inflammation that is a major driver of gastrointestinal cancers.
Inflammation is a double-edge sword.
Acute inflammation is a precisely coordinated
process with a clear end-point. During this, the
tissue microenvironment is conferred greater
tolerance as immune cells are recruited for the
eradication of pathogens. The timely conclusion of
this process is dependent on a switch from pro- to
anti-inflammatory signaling. Persistent infection,
somatic gene mutations and imbalance of
cytokines will result in chronic inflammation, which
is damaging and tumorigenic. For this reason,
chronic atrophic gastritis caused by Helicobacter
pylori infection is the single greatest risk to human
stomach cancer.
