Biography
Dr. Han received her MD from Harbin Medical University, China. She carried out doctoral studies on the detection of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 in a human T-lyphoblastic lymphoma xenotransplant in nude mouse and an exploration of the mechanism of horizontal oncogenesis in the xenograft, obtaining her Ph.D. She then carried out postdoctoral studies on gene targeting at the Institute of Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, followed by research on the regulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandin and related signaling pathways in liver cancer at the Department of Pathology of University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She generated two novel transgenic mice with targeted expression of the cPLA2alpha and COX-2, respectively, in the liver and gained significant expertise in a variety of in vitro and iv vivo model systems for the study of liver cell biology and cancer. In 2005 she was promoted as an assistant professor of pathology. Since relocating to Tulane University in December 2009, she took an Associate Professor position in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at School of Medicine where she continues her active research in hepatic carcinogenesis.
Research
Tulane Cancer Center Program Member
Dr. Han’s research is focused on studying the cellular and molecular pathways leading to liver carcinogenesis and exploring novel strategies for therapeutic interventions. A variety of cell culture and animal models are being utilized to study the biological roles of several key enzymes in the prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway, including cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), in liver carcinogenesis and their interactions with other key molecules pivotal for hepatobiliary cell growth and carcinogenesis. And all studies are aimed to develop novel therapeutic strategies for effective prevention and treatment of human liver cancer.
Contributions
Kwon H, Song K, Han C, Zhang J, Lu L, Chen W, Wu T. Epigenetic silencing of microRNA-34a in human cholangiocarcinoma via EZH2 and DNA methylation: Impact on regulation of Notch pathway. Am J Pathol. 2017, 187 (10): 2288-99 [PMID: 28923203].
Kwon H, Song K, Han C, Chen W, Wang Y, Dash S, Lim K, Wu T. Inhibition of hedgehog signaling ameliorates hepatic inflammation in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatology 2016, 63(4):1155-69 [PMID: 26473743].
Yao L, Han C, Song K, Zhang J, Lim K, Wu T. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids upregulate 15-PGDH expression in cholangiocarcinoma cells by inhibiting miRNA-26a/b expression. Cancer Res. 2015, 75(7): 1388-98 [PMID: 25691459].
Zhu H, Han C, Lu D, Wu T. Mir-17-92 cluster promote cholangiocarcinoma growth: evidence for PTEN as downstream target and IL6/STAT3 as upstream activator. Am J Pathol. 2014, 184(10): 2828-39 [PMID: 25239565].
Qadir XV, Han C, Lu D, Zhang J, Wu T. MiR-185 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth by targeting the DNMT1/PTEN/AKT pathway. Am J Pathol. 2014, 184(8): 2355-64 [PMID: 24911372].
Lu D, Han C, Wu T. 15-PGDH inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth through 15-keto-PGE2/PPARgammar-mediated activation of p21WAF1/Cip1 Oncogene 2014, 33(9): 1101-12 [PMID: 23542179].
Song K, Han C, Zhang J, Lu D, Dash S, Feitelson M, Lim K, Wu T. Epigenetic regulation of microRNA-122 by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma and hepatitis B virus X protein in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hepatology 2013, 58(5): 1681-92 [PMID: 23703729].
Wang Y, Han C, Lu L, Magliato S, Wu T. Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates autophagy in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hepatology 2013, 58(3): 995-1010 [PMID: 23504944].
Zhang J, Han C, Zhu H, Song K, Wu T. MiR-101 Inhibits Cholangiocarcinoma Angiogenesis through Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Am J Pathol. 2013, 182(5): 1629-39 [PMID: 23608225].
Zhang J, Han C, Wu T. MicroRNA-26a promotes cholangiocarcinoma growth by activating beta-catenin. Gastroenterology 2012. 143(1): 246-256. [PMID: 22484120]
Lu D, Han C and Wu T. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthease-1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of a novel EGR1/beta-catenin signaling axis. Oncogene 2012, 31(7): 842-57 [PMID: 21743491].
Lu D, Han C, Wu T. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthease-1 inhibits PTEN and promotes experimental cholangiocarcinogenesis and tumor progression. Gastroenterology 2011, 140(7):2084-94 [PMID: 21354147].
Li G, Chen W, Han C, Wu T. Cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha protects against Fas- but not LPS-induced liver injury. Journal of Hepatology 2011, 55(6): 1281-90 [PMID: 21703211].
Han C, Bowen WC, Li G, Demetris AJ, Michalopoulos GK, Wu T. Cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma signaling pathway counteracts transforming growth factor beta-mediated inhibition of primary and transformed hepatocyte growth. Hepatology, 2010, 52 (2): 644-55 [PMID: 20683962].
Li G, Han C, Xu L, Lim K, Isse K, Wu T. Cyclooxygenase-2 prevents Fas-induced liver injury through upregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor. Hepatology 2009, 50(3): 834-43 [PMID: 19585617].
Lim K, Han C, Dai Y, Shen M, Wu T. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through blocking beta-catenin and cyclooxyhenase-2. Mol. Cancer Ther. 2009, 8(11): 3046-55 [PMID: 19887546].
Han C, Li G, Lim K, DeFrances MC, Gandhi CR, Wu T. Transgenic expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in hepatocytes accelerates endotoxin-induced acute liver failure. J. Immunol. 2008, 181 (11): 8027-35 [PMID: 19017995].
Lim K, Han C, Xu L, Isse K, Demetris AJ, Wu T. COX-2-derived PGE2 activates beta-catenin in human cholangiocarcinoma cells: Evidence for inhibition of these signaling pathways by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cancer Res. 2008, 68(2):553-60 [PMID: 18199552].
