Prof LAU Hang Yung Alaster – School of Biomedical Sciences

Prof LAU Hang Yung Alaster

Associate Professor (Teaching)

hyalau@cuhk.edu.hk

Teaching and Research Interests

The roles of mast cells in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders.
The roles of mast cells in bone metabolism.
The roles of mast cells in cancer.
The regulation of mast cells by autocrine, immunological modulators and pharmacological agents.
Evaluation of pharmacological activities of Chinese medicines on mast cells.

Selected Publications

Tam, I.Y.S., Ng, C.W., Tam, S. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2017): Novel six-week protocol for generating functional human connective tissue-type (MCTC) mast cells from buffy coats. Inflammation Research, 66, 25-37.
Yu,Y.Y., Huang, Z., Mao, Z., Zhang, Y., Jin, M., Chen, W., Zhang, W., Yu, B., Zhang, W. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2016). Go is required for the release of IL-8 and TNF-α, but not degranulation in human mast cells. European Journal of Pharmacology, 780, 115-121.
Yu, Y.Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Dou, X., Yang, H., Shao, Y., Wang, K., Yu, B., Zhang, W., Zhang, W. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2015). Impaired Toll‑like receptor 2‑mediated Th1 and Th17/22 cytokines secretion in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Translational Medicine, 13, 384. doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0744-1.
Yu, Y.Y., Yip, K.H., Tam, I.Y.S., Sam, S.W., Ng, C.W., Zhang, W. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2014). Differential effects of the toll-like receptor 2 agonists, PGN and Pam3CSK4 on Anti-IgE induced human mast cell activation. PloS One, 9(11), e112989.
Chan, B.C.L., Lee, H.Y., Siu, W.S., Yip, K.H., Ko, C.H., Lau, C.B.S., Leung, P.C. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2013). Suppression of mast cell activity contributes to the osteoprotective effect of an Herbal Formula containing Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 66(3), 437–444.
Yu, Y.Y., Yip, K.H., Tam, I.Y.S., Sam S.W., Ng, C.W. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2013). Differential effects of the toll-like receptor 2 agonists, PGN and Pam3CSK4, on substance-P induced human mast cell activation. European Journal of Inflammation, 11(3), 709-718.
Cheng, C., Ng, D.S.W., Chan, T.K., Guan, S.P., Ho, W.E., Koh, A.H.M., Bian, J.S., Lau, H.Y.A., Wong, W.S.F. (2013). Anti-allergic action of anti-malarial drug artesunate in experimental mast cell-mediated anaphylactic models, Allergy, 168(2), 195-203.
Lee, M.M.K., Chui, R.K.S., Tam, I.Y.S., Lau, H.Y.A. and Wong, Y.H. (2012). CCR1-mediated STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and CXCL8 expression in THP-1 macrophage-like cells involve pertussis toxin-insensitive G14/16 signaling and IL-6 release. Journal of Immunology, 189(11), 5266-5276.
Lau, H.Y.A. , Lai, H.K.H., Yeung, B.H.S., Leung S.L., Tsang, S.Y., Wong, Y.H. and Wise, H. (2012). Prostacyclin receptor-dependent inhibition of human erythroleukemia cell differentiation is STAT3-dependent, Prostaglandins. Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 86(3), 119–126.
Yip, K.H., Lau, H.Y.A. and Wise, H. (2011). Reciprocal modulation of anti-IgE induced histamine release from human mast cells by A1 and A2B adenosine receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology, 164(26), 807-819.
Law, J.K., Yeung, C.K., Wan, S.P., Ingebrandt, S., Lau, H.Y.A., Rudd, J.A. and Chan, M. (2011). The significance of chloride in the inhibitory action of disodium cromoglycate on immunologically stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1810, 867-874.
Yip, K.H., Huang, Y., Leung, F.P. and Lau H.Y.A. (2010). Cyclic guanosine monophosphate dependent pathway contributes to human mast cell inhibitory actions of the nitric oxide donor, diethylamine NONOate. European Journal of Pharmacology, 632, 86-92.
Yeung, C.K., Law, J.K.Y., Sam, S.W., Ingebrandt, S., Lau, H.Y.A., Rudd, J.A. and Chan, M. (2009). Modulatory action of potassium channel openers on field potential and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 87, 624-632.
Lau, H.Y.A., Huang, Y. and Law, K.Y.J. (2009). Effects of oestrogenic agents on rat peritoneal mast cells. Inflammation Research, 58, S15-S16
Yip, K.H., Leung, F.P., Huang, Y. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2009). Inhibition of anti-IgE mediated human mast cell activation by NO donors is dependent on their NO release kinetics. British Journal of Pharmacology, 156, 1279–1286.
Chan, B.C.L., Hon, K.L.E., Leung, P.C., Sam, S.W., Fung, K.P., Lee, M.Y.H. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2008). Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: PentaHerbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 120, 85-91.
Yeung, C.K ., Law, J.K., Sam, S.W., Ingebrandt, S. and Lau, H.Y.A., Rudd, J.A., Chan, M. (2008). The use of microelectrode array (MEA) to study rat peritoneal mast cell activation. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 107(2), 201-212
Yip, K.H., Huang, Y., Waye, M.M.Y., and Lau, H.Y.A. (2008). Induction of nitric oxide synthases in primary human cultured mast cells by IgE and proinflammatory cytokines. International Immunopharmacology, 8(5), 764–768.
Chan, J.H.P., Liao, W., Lau, H.Y.A. and Wong, W.S.F. (2007). Gab2 antisense oligonucleotide blocks rat basophilic leukemic cell functions.” International Immunopharmacology, 7, 937–944 [10%, Citation: 10, IF: 2.956, Rank: 91/256 (Pharmacology & Pharmacy)].
Wang, X.S., Wu, A.Y.Y., Leung, P.S. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2007). PGE₂ suppresses excessive anti-IgE induced cysteinyl leukotrienes production in mast cells of patients with aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease. Allergy, 62, 620-627.
Wang, X.S. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2007). Histamine release from human buffy coat-derived mast cells. International Immunopharmacology, 7, 541-546 [80%, Citation: 8, IF: 2.956, Rank: 91/256 (Pharmacology & Pharmacy)].
Wang, X.S., Yip, K.H., Sam, S.W. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2006). Buffy coat preparation is a convenient source of progenitors for culturing mature human mast cells. Journal of Immunological Methods, 309(1-2), 69-74.
Wang, X.S., Sam, S.W., Yip, K.H. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2006). Functional characterization of human mast cells cultured from adult peripheral blood. International Immunopharmacology, 6(5), 839-847.
Wang, X.S. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2006). Prostaglandin E₂ potentiates the immunologically stimulated histamine release from human peripheral blood-derived mast cells through EP₁/EP₃receptors. Allergy, 61(4), 503-506.
Wang, X.S. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2006). Beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of mediator release from human peripheral blood-derived mast cells. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 33, 746-750.
Lau, H.Y.A. and Kam, M.F.A. (2005). Inhibition of mast cell histamine release by specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Inflammation Research, 54, S05-S06.
Lau, A.H.Y. and Chow, S.S.M. (2003). Effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists on immunologically induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. European Journal of Pharmacology, 464, 229-235.
Lau, H.Y.A. and Chan, C.L. (2001). Modulation of intracellular cyclic AMP in immunologically activated rat peritoneal mast cells by prostaglandin D2. Inflammation Research, 50, S61-S62.
Lau, H.Y.A., Chow, S.S.M. and Ng, Y.S. (2001). Immunologically induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells is enhanced by low levels of substance P. European Journal of Pharmacology, 414, 295 –303.
Chan, C.L., Jones, R.L. and Lau, H.Y.A. (2000). Characterization of prostanoid receptors mediating inhibition of histamine release from anti-IgE-activated rat peritoneal mast cells. British Journal of Pharmacology, 129, 589–597.