Research article

Research article

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* Denotes equal contributions


1. Exploring probiotic effector molecules and their mode of action in gut–immune interactions. Choong-Gu Lee, Kwang Hyun Cha, Gi-Cheon Kim, Sin-Hyeog Im*, Ho-Keun Kwon*, FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2023 Jul 5;47(4):fuad046. 


2. A Moonlighting Protein Secreted by a Nasal Microbiome Fortifies the Innate Host Defense Against Bacterial and Viral Infections. Gwanghee Kim, Yoojin Lee, Jin Sun You, Wontae Hwang, Jeewon Hwang, Hwa Young Kim, Jieun Kim, Ara Jo, In ho Park, Mohammed Ali, Jongsun Kim, Jeon-Soo Shin, Ho-Keun Kwon*, Hyun Jik Kim*, Sang Sun Yoon*, Immune Netw. 2023 Aug;23(4):e31


3. Murine COVID-19 lethality is characterized by lymphoid depletion associated with suppressed antigen presenting cell functionality. Yu Jin Lee, Sang Hyeok Seok, Na Yun Lee, Hee Jin Choi, Yoon Woo Lee, Hee Jung Chang, Ji-Yeon Hwang, Da In On, Hyun Ah Noh, Su-Bin Lee, Ho-Keun Kwon, Jun-Won Yun, Jeon-Soo Shin, Jun-Young Seo, Ki Taek Nam, Ho Lee, Ho Young Lee, Jun Won Park , Je Kyung Seong. Am J Pathol. 2023 Jul;193(7):866-882. 


4. WNK3 inhibition elicits anti-tumor immunity by suppressing PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and activating T cell function. Hyun Ju Yoon1*, Gi-Cheon Kim*, Sejin Oh, Yunji Lee, Min Seo Kim, Yong Keun Kim, Gino Kwon, Ho-Keun Kwon# &, Hyun Seok Kim#. WNK3 inhibition elicits anti-tumor immunity by suppressing PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and activating T cell function. Experimental & Molecular Medicine. 2022 Nov;54(11):1913-1926


5. Hyun Ju Yoon*, Gi-Cheon Kim*, Sejin Oh, Hakhyun Kim, Yong Keon Kim, Yunji Lee, Min Seo Kim, Gino Kwon, Yeon-Su Ok, and Ho-Keun Kwon#, Hyun Seok Kim#. WNK3 inhibition elicits anti-tumor immunity by suppressing PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and activating T cell function. 2022 Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Accept


6. Han J-H, Lee YY, Shin HE, Han J, Kang JM, James Wang C-P, Park J-H, KimS-N, Yoon J-H, Kwon H-K, Park D-H, Park T-E, Choy YB, Kim D-H, Kim T-H, Min J, Kim I-H, Park CG,Han DK, Park W, Image-guided in situ cancer vaccination with combination of multi-functional nano-adjuvant and an irreversible electroporation Technique. 2022, Biomaterials, Accepted


7. Choi, J., Kim, B. R., Akuzum, B., Chang, L., Lee, J. Y., & Kwon, H. K, TREGking From Gut to Brain: The Control of Regulatory T Cells Along the Gut-Brain Axis. 2022, Front. Immunol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.916066


8. Ho-Keun Kwon*, Gloria B Choi, Jun R Huh*Maternal inflammation and its ramifications on fetal neurodevelopment. 2022, 4; S1471-4906(22)00007-2, Trends Immunol


9. Eunha Ki, Donggi Paik, Ricardo N Ramirez, Delaney G Biggs, Youngjun Park, Ho-Keun Kwon, Gloria B Choi, Jun R Huh Maternal gut bacteria drive intestinal inflammation in offspring with neurodevelopmental disorders by altering the chromatin landscape of CD4 + T cells. 2022, 11;55(1):145-158.e7, Immunity


10. Ho-Keun Kwon, Je Kyung Seong. New insights into the microbiota of wild mice. Mammalian Genome, 2021, 32, p311–318. doi: 10.1007/s00335-021-09887-z.


11. Na Kyeong Lee, Chi-Pin James Wang, Jaesung Lim, Wooram Park, Ho-Keun Kwon, Se-Na Kim, Tae-Hyung Kim, Chun Gwon Park. Impact of the conjugation of antibodies to the surfaces of polymer nanoparticles on the immune cell targeting abilities. Nano Convergence, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40580-021-00274-7


12. Hye-Ji Kang, Gi-Cheon Kim, Choong-Gu Lee, Sunhee Park, Garima Sharma, Ravi Verma, Sin-Hyoeg Im, Ho-Keun Kwon. Probiotics-derived metabolite ameliorates skin allergy by promoting differentiation of FOXP3 + regulatory T cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020, Dec 13;S0091-6749(20)31727-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.11.040.


13. HeeHo Park, Wooram Park, YunYoung Lee, Hyelim Kim, HeeSeung Seo, DongWook Choi, Ho-Keun Kwon, DongHee Na, Tae-Hyung Kim, YoungBin Choy, JuneHong Ahn , Wonhwa Lee , ChunGwon Park. Bioinspired DNase-I-Coated Melanin-Like Nanospheres for Modulation of Infection-Associated NETosis Dysregulation. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2020, Oct 20;7(23):2001940. doi: 10.1002/advs.202001940.


14. Gi-Cheon Kim, Choong-Gu Lee, Ravi Verma, Dipayan Rudra, Taemook Kim, Keunsoo Kang, Jong Hee Nam, Young Kim, Sin-Hyeog Im, Ho-Keun Kwon, ETS1 suppresses tumorigenesis of human breast cancer via trans-activation of canonical tumor suppressor genes. FRONT ONCOL, 2020, 10(642).


15. Li-Jung Kang, Eunjeong Oh, Chanmi Cho, Ho-Keun Kwon, Choong-Gu Lee, Jimin Jeon, Hyemi Lee, Sangil Choi, Seong Jae Han, Jiho Nam, Chi-une Song, Hyunho Jung, Hye Young Kim, Eun-Jung Park, Jooyoung Kim, Seong-il Eyun & Siyoung Yang3′-Sialyllactose prebiotics prevents skin inflammation via regulatory T cell differentiation in atopic dermatitis mouse models. Sci. Rep. 2020. vol 10, 5603


16. Ronin E, Lubrano di Ricco M, Vallion R, Divoux J, Kwon HK, Grégoire S, Collares D, Rouers A, Baud V, Benoist C, Salomon BL. The NF-κB RelA Transcription Factor Is Critical for Regulatory T Cell Activation and Stability. Front Immunol. 2019 Oct 30;10:2487.


17.  Choong-Gu Lee*, Ho-Keun Kwon*, Hyeji Kang*, Young Kim, Jong Hee Nam, Young Ho Won, Sunhee Park, Taemook Kim, Keunsoo Kang, Dipayan Rudra, Chang-Duk Jun, Zee Yong Park, Sin-Hyeog Im. Ets1 suppresses atopic dermatitis by suppressing pathogenic T cell reponses. JCI insight. 2019;4(5):e124202


18.  Gi-Cheon Kim*, Ho-Keun Kwon* , Choong-Gu Lee, Ravi Verma, Dipayan Rudra, Taemook Kim, Keunsoo Kang, Jong Hee Nam, Young Kim and Sin-Hyeog Im. Upregulation of Ets1 expression by NFATc2 and NFKB1/RELA promotes breast cancer cell invasiveness. Oncogenesis. 2018 Nov 7:91


19.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Hui-Min Chen, Diane Mathis & Christophe Benoist. FoxP3 scanning mutagenesis reveals functional variegation and mild mutations with atypical autoimmune phenotypes.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Jan 9;115(2):E253-E262.


20.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Hui-Min Chen, Diane Mathis & Christophe Benoist. Different molecular complexes that mediate transcriptional induction and repression by FoxP3. Nat Immunol. 2017 Nov;18(11):1238-1248.

  • David Bending & Masahiro Ono, FoxP3 partners up. Nature Immunology (News & Views). 2017 Oct 18;18(11):1181-118 


21.  Fabien Dépis, Ho-Keun Kwon, Diane Mathis, and Christophe Benoist. Unstable FoxP3+ T regulatory cells in NZW mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Feb 2; 113 (5): 1345-50


22.  Ho-Keun Kwon*, Gi-Cheon Kim*, JS Hwang, Y Kim, CS Chae, JH Nam, CD Jun, D Rudra, Charles D. Surh & Sin-Hyeog Im. Transcription factors NFAT1 control allergic contact hypersensitivity through regulation of activation induced cell death program. Scientific Reports. 2016 Jan 18; 6:19453


23.  Chun Jimmie Ye, Ting Feng, Ho-Keun Kwon, Towfique Raj, Michael T. Wilson, Natasha Asinovski, Cristin McCabe, Michelle H. Lee, Irene Frohlich, Hyun-il Paik, Noah Zaitlen, Nir Hacohen, Barbara Stranger, Philip De Jager, Diane Mathis, Aviv Regev, Christophe Benoist. Intersection of population variation and autoimmunity genetics in human T cell activation. Science. 2014 Sep 12; 345(6202): 1254665


24.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Gi-Cheon Kim, Young Kim, Won Hwang, Arijita Jash, Anupama Sahoo, Jung-Eun Kim, Jong Hee Nam, Sin-Hyeog Im. Amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by probiotic mixture is mediated by a shift in T helper cell immune response. Clinical Immunol. 2013 Mar; 146 (3): 217- 27


25.  Hwang JS, Ho-Keun Kwon, Kim JE, Rho J, Im SH. Immunomodulatory effect of water-soluble extract separated from mycelium of Phellinus linteus on experimental atopic dermatitis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Sep 18; 12: 159


26.  Chae CS, Ho-Keun Kwon, Hwang JS, Kim JE, Im SH. Prophylactic effect of probiotics on the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. PLoS One. 2012; 7 (12): e52119


27.  Lee IH, Ho-Keun Kwon, An S, Kim D, Kim S, Yu MK, Lee JH, Lee TS, Im SH, Jon S. Imageable antigen-presenting gold nanoparticle vaccines for effective cancer immunotherapy in vivo. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2012 Aug 27; 51 (35): 8800-5


28.  Lee CG, Ho-Keun Kwon, Sahoo A, Hwang W, So JS, Hwang JS, Chae CS, Kim GC, Kim JE, So HS, Hwang ES, Grenningloh R, Ho IC, Im SH. Interaction of Ets-1 with HDAC1 Represses IL-10 Expression in Th1 Cells. J Immunol. 2012 Mar 1;188(5):2244-53.


29.  Lee CG, Hwang W, Maeng KE, Ho-Keun Kwon, So JS, Sahoo A, Lee SH, Park ZY, Im SH. IRF4 regulates IL-10 gene expression in CD4(+) T cells through differential nuclear translocation. Cell Immunol. 2011; 268(2): 97-104.


30.  Lee IH, An S, Yu MK, Ho-Keun Kwon, Im SH, Jon S. Targeted chemoimmunotherapy using drug-loaded aptamer-dendrimer bioconjugates. J Control Release. 2011 Nov 7;155(3):435-41.


31.  Sahoo A, Lee CG, Jash A, Son JS, Kim G, Ho-Keun Kwon, So JS, Im SH. Stat6 and c-Jun Mediate Th2 Cell-Specific IL-24 Gene Expression. J Immunol. 2011 Apr 1;186(7):4098-109.


32.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Hwang JS, Lee CG, Sahoo A, Jeon WK, Ko BS and Im SH. Cinnamon extract suppresses experimental colitis through modulation of antigen- presenting cells. World J Gastroenterol. 2011 Feb 28;17(8):976-86.


33.  Jae-Seon So, Min-Kyung Song, Ho-Keun Kwon, Choong-Gu Lee, Chang-Suk Chae, Anupama Sahoo, Arijita Jash, Sung Haeng Lee, Zee Yong Park and Sin- Hyeog Im. Lactobacillus casei enhances type II collagen/glucosamine-mediated suppression of inflammatory responses in experimental osteoarthritis. Life Sci. 2011 Feb 14;88(7-8):358-66.


34.  Arijita Jash, Ho-Keun Kwon, Anupama Sahoo, Choong-Gu Lee, Jae-Seon So, Jung ho Kim, Yu-Kyoung Oh, Young Bong Kim, Sin-Hyeog Im. Topical application of porcine placenta extract inhibits the progression of experimental contact hypersensitivity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Jan 27;133(2):654-62.


35.  Choong-Gu Lee, Ho-Keun Kwon, Jae Ha Ryu, Sung Jin Kang, Chang-Rok Im, Jae II Kim, Sin-Hyeog Im. Abalone visceral extract inhibit tumor growth and metastasis by modulating Cox-2 levels and CD8+ T cell activity. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Oct 20;10:60.


36.  Chung HS, Lee JH, Kim H, Lee HJ, Kim SH, Ho-Keun Kwon, Im SH and Bae H. Foxp3 is a novel repressor of microglia activation. Glia. 2010 Aug;58(10):1247-56.


37.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Hwang JS, So JS, Lee CG, Sahoo A, Ryu JH, Jeon WK, Ko BS, Im CR, Lee SH, Park ZY and Im SH. Cinnamon extract induces tumor cell death through inhibition of NFkB and AP1. BMC Cancer. 2010 Jul 24;10:392.


38.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Lee CG, So JS, Chae CS, Hwang JS, Sahoo S, Nam JH, Rhee JH, Hwang KC and Im SH. Generation of regulatory dendritic cells and CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells by probiotics administration suppresses immune disorders. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Feb 2;107(5):2159-64.

  •  Commented in J Allergy Clin Immunol. May 2010. Page 953


39.  TP Ramesh, Kim YD, Kwon MS, Oh HM, Ho-Keun Kwon, Kim SH, Im SH, Chun JS, Park ZY, Jun CD. Swiprosin-1 Is Expressed in Mast Cells and Up-regulated through the Protein Kinase CßI/η Pathway. J Cell Biochem. 2009 Oct 15;108(3):705-15.


40.  Ho-Keun Kwon, Jeon WK, Hwang JS, Lee CG, So JS, Park JA, Ko BS, Im SH. Cinnamon extract suppresses tumor progression by modulating angiogenesis and the effector function of CD8(+) T cells. Cancer Lett. 2009 Jun 18;278(2):174-82.


41.  Lee CG, Kang KH, So JS, Ho-Keun Kwon, Son JS, Song MK, Sahoo A, Yi HJ, Hwang KC, Matsuyama T, Yui K, Im SH. A distal cis-regulatory element, CNS-9, controls NFAT1 and IRF4-mediated IL-10 gene activation in T helper cells. Mol Immunol. 2009 Feb;46(4):613-21.


42.  Won Jeon, Ji-Sun Hwang, Ho-Keun Kwon, Chung-Gu Lee, Sin-Hyeog Im, Byoung Ko. Development of T cell based reporter assay system to identify immunomodulator form herbal medicine. Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 2009, 52;(6)716-719


43.  So JS, Lee CG, Ho-Keun Kwon, Yi HJ, Chae CS, Park JA, Hwang KC, Im SH. Lactobacillus casei potentiates induction of oral tolerance in experimental arthritis. Mol Immunol. 2008 Nov;46(1):172-80.


44.  Sahoo A, Jung YM, Ho-Keun Kwon, Yi HJ, Lee S, Chang S, Park Z, Hwang KC, Im SH. A novel splicing variant of mouse IL-24 antagonizes IL-24-induced apoptosis. J Biol Chem. 2008 Oct 24;283(43):28860-72.


45.  Yi HJ, Lee CG, Ho-Keun Kwon, So JS, Sahoo A, Hwang JS, Jash A, Hwang KC, Im SH. Defect in TCR-CD3zeta signaling mediates T cell hypo-responsiveness in mesenteric lymph node. Mol Immunol. 2008 Aug;45(14):3748-55.


46.  Ho-Keun Kwon, So JS, Lee CG, Sahoo A, Yi HJ, Park JN, Lim SY, Hwang KC, Jun CD, Chun JS, Im SH. Foxp3 induces IL-4 gene silencing by affecting nuclear translocation of NFkappaB and chromatin structure. Mol Immunol. 2008 Jun;45(11):3205-12.


47.  So JS, Ho-Keun Kwon, Lee CG, Yi HJ, Park JA, Lim SY, Hwang KC, Jeon YH, Im SH. Lactobacillus casei suppresses experimental arthritis by down-regulating T helper 1 effector functions. Mol Immunol. 2008 May;45(9):2690-9.