model of molecular structure

Han Lab

Lu Han Lab Research

The Han laboratory studies epithelial-mesenchymal tissue interactions during pancreatic homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer, with only 11% of patients surviving five years after diagnosis. While pancreatic cancer is driven by mutations in the epithelial cells, it is characterized by a drastic increase of mesenchymal fibroblasts constituting the tumor microenvironment. These cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play critical and complex roles that are still poorly understood. The Han laboratory aims to investigate the origin, diversity, and function of fibroblasts in pancreatic cancer. Given the remarkable similarities between cancer and development, we are particularly interested in the persistence of fetal developmental mechanisms regulating CAFs and their interactions with the tumor epithelium and other cells. We utilize genetically engineered mouse models, patient samples, organoids, and cell culture systems, analyzed with cutting edge cellular and molecular techniques such as multiplex immunofluorescence staining and transcriptomic sequencing. The missions of the Han laboratory are 1: to discover fundamental biological principles that can ultimately benefit cancer patients; and 2: to train and mentor the next generation of scientists. 

Lab Members

 

Lu Han, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
PhD, University of Cincinatti
BS, China Pharmaceutical 
University

 Andres Florez, MS 

Andres Florez, MS
Research Specialist
MS, University of Miami
BS, University of Miami

 Sarah Allen, MS

Sarah Allen, MS
Research Specialist
MS, MUSC
BS, Appalachian State University

 Ryochi Jimenez

Ryochi Jimenez
Undergraduate Researcher
College of Charleston

 Emma Garner

Emma Garner
Undergraduate Researcher
College of Charleston

 Lillian Reid

Lillian Reid
Undergraduate Researcher
College of Charleston

Publications

Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography:  

  1. Múnera JO, Kechele DO, Bouffi C, Qu N, Jing R, Maity P, Enriquez JR, Han L, Campbell I, Mahe MM, McCauley HA, Zhang X, Sundaram N, Hudson JR, Zarsozo-Lacoste A, Pradhan S, Tominaga K, Sanchez JG, Weiss AA, Chatuvedi P, Spence JR, Hachimi M, North T, Daley GQ, Mayhew CN, Hu Y, Takebe T, Helmrath MA, and Wells JM. (2023) Development of functional resident macrophages in human pluripotent stem cell-derived colonic organoids and human fetal colon. Cell Stem Cell. Nov 2;30(11). PMID: 37922878. 

  2. Han L, Wu Y, Fang K, Sweeney S, Roesner UK, Parrish M, Patel K, Walter T, Piermattei J, Trimboli A, Lefler J, Timmers CD, Yu XZ, Jin VX, Zimmermann MT, Mathison AJ, Urrutia R, Ostrowski MC & Leone G. (2023) The splanchnic mesenchyme is the tissue of origin for pancreatic fibroblasts during homeostasis and tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 14, 1. PMC9810714. 

  3. Lefler JE, MarElia-Bennett CB, Thies KA, Hildreth BE, Sharma SM, Pitarresi JR, Han L, Everett C, Koivisto C, Cuitino MC, Timmers CD, O'Quinn E, Parrish M, Romeo MJ, Linke AJ, Hobbs GA, Leone G, Guttridge DC, Zimmers TA, Lesinski GB, Ostrowski MC. (2022) STAT3 in tumor fibroblasts promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer. Life Sci Alliance. Nov;5(11). PMC9270499.  

  4. Kishimoto K, Iwasawa K, Sorel A, Ferran-Heredia C, Han L, Morimoto M, Wells JM, Takebe T, Zorn AM. (2022) Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into diverse organ-specific mesenchyme of the digestive and respiratory systems. Nat Protoc. Aug 17;. doi: 10.1038/s41596-022-00733-3. Review. PMID: 35978039. 

  5. Han L, Seward C, Leone G, Ostrowski M. (2022) Origin, activation and heterogeneity of fibroblasts associated with pancreas and breast cancers. Adv Cancer Res. Mar 154:169-201. PMID: 35459469. 

  6. Eicher A, Kechele D, Sundaram N, Berns H, Poling H, Haines L, Sanchez JG, Kishimoto K, Krishnamurthy M, Han L, Zorn A, Helmrath M, Wells J. (2022) Functional human gastrointestinal organoids can be engineered from three primary germ layers derived separately from pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell. Jan 6;29(1):36-51.e6. PMC8741755. 

  7. Han L*, Chaturvedi P*, Kishimoto K*, Koike H*, Nasr T, Iwasawa K, Giesbrecht  K, Witcher PC, Eicher A, Haines L, Lee Y, Shannon JM, Morimoto M, Wells J, Takebe T, Zorn A. (2020) Single cell transcriptomics identifies a signaling network coordinating endoderm and mesoderm diversification during foregut organogenesis. Nat Commun. 27;11(1):4158. PMC7453027. *co-first author 

  8. Nasr T, Mancini P, Kinney J, Daniels K, Vardanyan J, Edwards N, Agricola Z, Han L, Trisno A, Kofron M, Cha S, Rankin S, Kenny A, Wells J, Zorn A. (2019) Endosome-Mediated Epithelial Remodeling Downstream of Hedgehog-Gli Is Required for Tracheoesophageal Separation. Dev Cell. 16;51(6):665-674.e6. PMID: 31813796. 

  9. Trisno S, Philo K, McCracken K, Catá E, Ruiz-Torres S, Rankin S, Han L, Nasr T, Chaturvedi P, Rothenberg M, Mandegar M, Wells S, Zorn A, Wells J. (2018) Esophageal Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Delineate Sox2 Functions during Esophageal Specification. Cell Stem Cell. 4;23(4):501-515.e7. PMC6225525.  

  10. Ustiyan V, Bolte C, Zhang Y, Han L, Xu Y, Yutzey KE, Zorn AM, Kalin TV, Shannon JM, Kalinichenko VV. (2018) FOXF1 transcription factor promotes lung morphogenesis by inducing cellular proliferation in fetal lung mesenchyme. Dev Biol. 1;443(1):50-63. PMC6191344. 

  11. Rankin S, McCracken K, Luedeke D, Han L, Wells J, Shannon S and Zorn A. (2018) Timing is everything: Reiterative Wnt, BMP and RA signaling regulate developmental competence during endoderm organogenesis. Dev Biol. 1;434(1):121-132. PMC5785443. 

  12. Han L, Xu J, Grigg E, Slack M, Chaturvedi P, Jiang R, Zorn AM. (2017) Osr1 Functions Downstream of Hedgehog Pathway to Regulate Foregut Development. Dev Biol. 427(1):72-83. PMC5519324 

  13. Han L*, Nasr T*, Zorn A. (2017) Mesodermal lineages in the developing respiratory system. Trends Dev Biol. Volume 9, pages 91-110. Review. *co-first author 

  14. Rankin SA*, Han L*, McCracken KW, Kenny AP, Anglin CT, Grigg EA, Crawford CM, Wells JM, Shannon JM, Zorn AM. (2016) A Retinoic Acid-hedgehog Cascade Coordinates Mesoderm-inducing Signals and Endoderm Competence during Lung Specification. Cell Rep. 16(1):66-78. PMC5314425. * co-first author.  

  15. Rankin SA, Tran HT, Wlizla M, Mancini P, Shifley ET, Bloor SD, Han L, Vleminckx K, Wert SE, and Zorn AM. (2015) A molecular atlas of xenopus respiratory system development. Dev Dyn. Jan;244(1):69-85. PMC4276498. 

Current Funding

National Cancer Institute K99CA263005  

Origin, diversification and function of pancreatic cancer associated fibroblasts 

News and Updates 

Dr. Lu Han is accepted as a 2024 Aspen Cancer Conference Fellow 

Dr. Lu Han received the Scholar-in-Training Award in the 2024 American Associated for Cancer Research Pancreatic Cancer Conference 

On Aug 1st, 2024, the Han lab is officially open! 

Open Positions 

Postdoctoral fellow 

PhD student 

MSTP student 

Undergraduate student researcher 

Contact Us 

Email: hanl@musc.edu

Office Phone: (843) 876-8924 

Lab Phone: (843) 876-8965 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lu-han-4004b282/ 

X: @Lu_Han_PhD