Yun-Hee Youm

My research work is focused on studying the interactions between inflammation and metabolism, age-related thymic involution and degenerative disorders in the elderly, and centered on the understanding the role of hormones on the regulation of the immune system.

My studies unveil the molecular underpinnings of Immune-metabolic interactions at multiple aspects: 1) The NlRP3 inflammasome as an upstream target that control age-related inflammation and offer and innovative therapeutic strategy to lower NLRP3 activity to delay multiple age-related chronic diseases. - I have discovered that increased activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, a unique innate sensor in specialized cells called macrophages is responsible for the functional decline in the aging process (published in Cell Metabolism and Cell Reports). 2) Use of low carbohydrate or ketogenic diets could be relevant against several inflammatory disorders and pharmacological manipulation of BHB might be viable strategy for reducing inflammation. - I also discovered that a special diet that increases ketone bodies (our body’s alternate fuel that is derived from fat) can inhibit this inflammasome complex and alleviate inflammatory disease (published in Nature Medicine 2016). 3) I have been involved in the identifying the role of FGF21, a novel pro-longevity hormone in regulation of lifespan and healthspan. I have generated majority of the preliminary data and animal models in this project. - I also discovered that FGF21 a hormone that increases lifespan in mice can rejuvenate the immune system in the aged (published in PNAS 2016).