Chung Park, M.S., Ph.D.

B-Cell Molecular Immunology Section

NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD

Chung Park, M.S., Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Contact: For contact information, search the NIH Enterprise Directory.

Specialty(s): Allergy and Immunology

Headshot of Chung Park, M.S., Ph.D.

Major Areas of Research

  • Lymphocyte trafficking and cellular migration dynamics from homeostasis to pathological conditions
  • B-cell signaling, G-protein signaling pathways, and the regulatory role of RGS proteins  
  • Mechanisms underlying complex cellular immune responses induced by diverse antigens and pathogens 

Program Description

Philosophy - Advancing Human Health Through Immunological Research:

  • Enhance understanding of immune system regulation in health and disease
  • Provide mechanistic insights into disease pathology to inform therapeutic strategies
  • Support translational research to develop targeted treatments for immune-related disorders

Secondary Lymphoid Organ Remodeling and Pathogen-Immune cell Interactions:

  • Investigate structural remodeling of lymph nodes in immune responses
  • Examine chemokine receptor sensitivity modulation by RGS proteins
  • Characterize cellular networks facilitating virus envelope protein transfer

Extracellular Signaling, GPCR Signal Transduction and Immune Modulation:

  • Investigate chemokine receptor-mediated signaling in immune cell regulation
  • Examine heterotrimeric G-protein activation in lymphocyte function
  • Study molecular mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling
  • Analyze how GPCR signaling orchestrates immune responses and cell dynamics

Experimental Approaches:

  • Utilize genetically engineered murine models
  • Employ intravital two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TP-LSM) and high-throughput flow cytometry

Biography

Education

M.S. and Ph.D. in Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, South Korea

Dr. Chung Park earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in biochemistry in medicine from the College of Medicine at Chungnam National University, South Korea, in 2004. He began his postdoctoral research at the National Cancer Institute before joining the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation (LIR) as a fellow in 2006. In 2012, he was appointed as a staff scientist in the B-Cell Molecular Immunology Section at LIR. Dr. Park’s research bridges fundamental science with translational applications, advancing immunological understanding through cutting-edge imaging technologies. Renowned for his innovative approach, he fosters collaboration and leverages state-of-the-art techniques to drive discoveries in immune cell dynamics and leukocyte trafficking.

Selected Publications

Park C, Hwang IY, Yan SL, Vimonpatranon S, Wei D, Van Ryk D, Girard A, Cicala C, Arthos J, Kehrl JH. Murine alveolar macrophages rapidly accumulate intranasally administered SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein leading to neutrophil recruitment and damage. Elife. 2024 Mar 20;12:RP86764.

Park C, Kehrl JH. An integrin/MFG-E8 shuttle loads HIV-1 viral-like particles onto follicular dendritic cells in mouse lymph node. Elife. 2019 Dec 6;8:e47776.

Guzzo C, Ichikawa D, Park C, Phillips D, Liu Q, Zhang P, Kwon A, Miao H, Lu J, Rehm C, Arthos J, Cicala C, Cohen MS, Fauci AS, Kehrl JH, Lusso P. Virion incorporation of integrin α4β7 facilitates HIV-1 infection and intestinal homing. Sci Immunol. 2017 May 12;2(11):eaam7341.

Park C, Arthos J, Cicala C, Kehrl JH. The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 is captured and displayed for B cell recognition by SIGN-R1(+) lymph node macrophages. Elife. 2015 Aug 10;4:e06467.

Park C, Hwang IY, Sinha RK, Kamenyeva O, Davis MD, Kehrl JH. Lymph node B lymphocyte trafficking is constrained by anatomy and highly dependent upon chemoattractant desensitization. Blood. 2012 Jan 26;119(4):978-89.

Sinha RK*, Park C*, Hwang IY, Davis MD and Kehrl JH. B lymphocytes Exit Lymph Nodes through Cortical Lymphatic Sinosoids Near to Lymph Nodes Follicles by a Mechanism Independent of S1P-Mediated Chemotaxis. Immunity. 2009 Feb 18. [Epub ahead of print] (*Co-first publication)

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