Prof Yung is Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. She graduated in Applied Biology from Cardiff University, UK, and obtained a PhD at Cardiff University School of Medicine, UK. Prof Yung received post-doctoral training at Cardiff University School of Medicine and University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.

Prof Yung's research interests focuses on:

• Mechanisms leading to inflammation and fibrosis in chronic kidney disease and peritoneal dialysis
• Immuno-pathogenesis of lupus nephritis

Patients with end-stage renal failure require life-long dialysis or kidney transplantation to sustain life. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an established renal replacement therapy that is used by approximately 11% of the global dialysis population and is the predominant form of dialysis used in Hong Kong. My research focuses on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that mediate PD-associated peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis and the identification of agents that may delay or reverse peritoneal fibrosis. Our findings include the discovery that peritoneal microRNA-200c expression is markedly reduced in PD fluid-treated mice when compared to control mice, accompanied by increased peritoneal α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin and collagen I expression. Over-expression of microRNA-200c in mesothelial cells attenuated PD fluid and TGF-β1 mediated fibrotic processes.

Collaborative research with Prof TM Chan focuses on mechanisms leading to inflammatory and fibrotic processes in lupus nephritis and chronic kidney disease. Our findings include the discovery that human polyclonal anti-dsDNA antibodies bind to annexin II on the cell surface of mesangial cells, are internalized and transported to the nuclei where they mediate downstream inflammatory and fibrotic processes. Our animal studies investigate the underlying mechanisms leading to kidney inflammation and fibrosis, and the effect of novel treatment for lupus nephritis and chronic kidney disease.

Our findings have been published in J Am Soc Nephrol, Kidney Int, Arthritis Rheum and other leading nephrology, rheumatology and translational medicine journals.

1. Mok MMY, Yung S, Kwan LPY, Yip TPS, Lui SL, Chan TM. Expanded hemodialysis with Theranova compared with conventional high-flux hemodialysis: Prospective randomized 12-month study. Kidney360 2025; 6: 1143-1157.
2. Wong CCY, Gao LY, Xu Y, Chau MKM, Zhang D, Yap DYH, Ying SKY, Lee CK, Yung S*, Chan TM*. Cluster of differentiation-44 as a novel biomarker of lupus nephritis and its role in kidney inflammation and fibrosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15: 1443153.
3. Yung S*, Chan TM*. Endothelial cell activation and glycocalyx shedding - potential as biomarkers in patients with lupus nephritis. Front Immunol 2023; 14: 1251876.
4. Zhang C, Tam TW, Chau MK, García Córdoba CA, Yung S*, Chan TM*. Effect of Combined Mycophenolate and Rapamycin Treatment on Kidney Fibrosis in Murine Lupus Nephritis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13: 866077.
5. Yu KYC, Yung S, Chau MKM, Tang CSO, Yap DYH, Tang AHN, Ying SKY, Lee CK, Chan TM. Serum syndecan-1, hyaluronan and thrombomodulin levels in patients with lupus nephritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60: 737-750.
6. Yu KY, Yung S*, Chau MK, Tang CS, Yap DY, Tang AH, Ying SK, Lee CK, Chan TM*. Clinico-pathological associations of serum VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 levels in patients with lupus nephritis. Lupus 2021; 30: 1039-1050.
7. Yung S, Yap DY, Chan TM. A review of advances in the understanding of lupus nephritis pathogenesis as a basis for emerging therapies. F1000Res 2020; 9.
8. Jiang N, Zhang Q, Chau MK, Yip MS, Lui SL, Liu S, Chu KM, Ngan HY, Chan TM*, Yung S*. Anti-fibrotic effect of decorin in peritoneal dialysis and PD-associated peritonitis. EBioMedicine 2020; 52: 102661.
9. Zhang C, Chan CCY, Cheung KF, Chau MKM, Yap DYH, Ma MKM, Chan KW, Yung S*, Chan TM*. Effect of mycophenolate and rapamycin on renal fibrosis in lupus nephritis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133: 1721-1744.
10. Chu JYS, Chau MKM, Chan CCY, Tai ACP, Cheung KF, Chan TM*, Yung S*. miR-200c Prevents TGF-beta1-Induced Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Fibrogenesis in Mesothelial Cells by Targeting ZEB2 and Notch1. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2019; 17: 78-91.
11. Yung S*, Ng CY, Au KY, Cheung KF, Zhang Q, Zhang C, Yap DY, Chau MK, Chan TM*. Binding of anti-dsDNA antibodies to proximal tubular epithelial cells contributes to renal tubulointerstitial inflammation. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131: 49-67.
12. Cheung KF, Yung S*, Chau MK, Yap DY, Chan KW, Lee CK, Tang CS, Chan TM*. Annexin II-binding immunoglobulins in patients with lupus nephritis and their correlation with disease manifestations. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131: 653-671.
13. Yung S*, Zhang Q, Chau MK, Chan TM*. Distinct effects of mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide on renal fibrosis in NZBWF1/J mice. Autoimmunity 2015; 48: 471-487.
14. Yung S*, Ng CY, Ho SK, Cheung KF, Chan KW, Zhang Q, Chau MK, Chan TM*. Anti-dsDNA antibody induces soluble fibronectin secretion by proximal renal tubular epithelial cells and downstream increase of TGF-beta1 and collagen synthesis. J Autoimmun 2015; 58: 111-122.
15. Yung S*, Lui SL, Ng CK, Yim A, Ma MK, Lo KY, Chow CC, Chu KH, Chak WL, Lam MF, Yung CY, Yip TP, Wong S, Tang CS, Ng FS, Chan TM*. Impact of a low-glucose peritoneal dialysis regimen on fibrosis and inflammation biomarkers. Perit Dial Int 2015; 35: 147-158.
16. Lui SL, Yung S, Yim A, Wong KM, Tong KL, Wong KS, Li CS, Au TC, Lo WK, Ho YW, Ng F, Tang C, Chan TM. A combination of biocompatible peritoneal dialysis solutions and residual renal function, peritoneal transport, and inflammation markers: a randomized clinical trial. Am J Kidney Dis 2012; 60: 966-975.
17. Yung S, Cheung KF, Zhang Q, Chan TM. Anti-dsDNA antibodies bind to mesangial annexin II in lupus nephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2010; 21: 1912-1927.
18. Yung S, Zhang Q, Zhang CZ, Chan KW, Lui SL, Chan TM. Anti-DNA antibody induction of protein kinase C phosphorylation and fibronectin synthesis in human and murine lupus and the effect of mycophenolic acid. Arthritis Rheum 2009; 60: 2071-2082.
19. Yung S*, Tsang RC, Leung JK, Chan TM*. Increased mesangial cell hyaluronan expression in lupus nephritis is mediated by anti-DNA antibody-induced IL-1beta. Kidney Int 2006; 69: 272-280.
20. Yung S*, Lee CY, Zhang Q, Lau SK, Tsang RC, Chan TM*. Elevated glucose induction of thrombospondin-1 up-regulates fibronectin synthesis in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells through TGF-beta1 dependent and TGF-beta1 independent pathways. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2006; 21: 1504-1513.
21. Yung S* Tsang RC, Sun Y, Leung JK, Chan TM*. Effect of human anti-DNA antibodies on proximal renal tubular epithelial cell cytokine expression: implications on tubulointerstitial inflammation in lupus nephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2005; 16: 3281-3294.
22. Yung S, Chen XR, Tsang RC, Zhang Q, Chan TM. Reduction of perlecan synthesis and induction of TGF-beta1 in human peritoneal mesothelial cells due to high dialysate glucose concentration: implication in peritoneal dialysis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2004; 15: 1178-1188.
23. Chan TM, Leung JKH, Tsang RCW, Liu ZH, Li LS, Yung S. Emodin ameliorates glucose-induced matrix synthesis in human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Kidney Int 2003; 64: 519-533.
24. Chan TM, Leung JK, Ho SK, Yung S. Mesangial cell-binding anti-DNA antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Am Soc Nephrol 2002; 13: 1219-1229.
    
    *corresponding author

External Competitive Grants Awarded as principal Investigator since 2012:

• Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Research Grant 2022/23
• Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Research Grant 2020/21
• Health and Medical Research Fund 2019/2020
• Health and Medical Research Fund 2018/2019
• Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Research Grant 2015/2016
• Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Research Grant 2014/2015
• Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Research Grant 2012/2013