Tel: (+886)-2-2826-7915
Fax: (+886)-2-2826-4053
E-mail: ywlin@nycu.edu.tw








Affiliations

Faculty Appointments
02/25 〜         Professor, Institute of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Taipei, Taiwan
02/19〜01/25  Associate Professor, Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University. Taipei, Taiwan
02/15〜01/19  Associate Professor, Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University. Taipei, Taiwan (concurrent)
08/10〜01/15  Assistant Professor, Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University. Taipei, Taiwan (concurrent)
02/10〜01/19  Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, National Defense         
            Medical Center, Research fellow Taipei, Taiwan
09/09〜01/10  Assistant professor, Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan

Education
09/01-07/07     PhD, Graduate institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
09/98-06/00     MS, School of Dentistry, Department of Oral Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
09/95-06/98     BS, Department of Nursing, National Taipei College of Nursing, Taipei, Taiwan

Fellowship Appointment
08/07- 08/09    Postdoctoral Research fellow, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

Fields of Specialty:
Cell & Molecular Biology, Laboratory Animal Science

Research Description:
(1) Research on the Association Between Periodontal Disease and Systemic Diseases
Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium known to cause periodontal tissue destruction. Our previous studies have demonstrated that, in addition to LPS, fimbriae, and gingipains, the GroEL protein secreted by P. gingivalis is also a critical virulence factor. GroEL can activate the NF-κB signaling pathway in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, thereby promoting the secretion of pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8. Moreover, GroEL enhances osteoclastogenesis by upregulating RANKL expression and suppressing ALP secretion in PDL cells. In animal studies, the injection of P. gingivalis GroEL into rat gingiva significantly increased periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss. These findings clearly indicate that GroEL is an important virulence factor of P. gingivalis and a potential immune-dominant antigen for patients with periodontitis. Currently, it is believed that periodontal pathogens and their inflammatory mediators can enter the human body through two primary routes. The first is via the gastrointestinal tract, as studies have shown that periodontitis can alter the composition of the gut microbiota. The second is through systemic circulation, allowing pathogens and their products to reach distant organs and contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic diseases. Recent epidemiological studies have consistently reported that periodontal disease is closely associated with various systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory infections, miscarriage, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Our previous research further demonstrated that P. gingivalis GroEL protein can promote angiogenesis and thereby accelerate tumor growth. In addition, GroEL protein has been implicated in other systemic diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), sepsis, and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). These systemic implications of GroEL and its pathogenic mechanisms remain a major research focus of our laboratory.

(2) Study on the Use of Herbal Extracts for the Improvement of Xerostomia
Saliva plays a vital physiological role in aiding digestion, swallowing, and maintaining oral homeostasis. Patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy frequently experience salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia as adverse effects. Currently, the available treatments for xerostomia are limited to the use of saliva substitutes or the administration of the parasympathomimetic agent pilocarpine to stimulate salivary secretion. However, these methods only provide temporary symptomatic relief and do not address the underlying pathological conditions. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously approved Amifostine as a radioprotective agent for salivary glands, its widespread use has been restricted due to significant adverse effects. Therefore, the search and development of safe and effective therapeutic agents for xerostomia remain an urgent unmet need. One promising strategy is the identification of bioactive compounds from natural plant sources.
Through literature review, our laboratory has identified several Chinese medicinal herbs with great therapeutic potential. These herbs possess anti-inflammatory properties, enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, eliminate free radicals, and provide neuroprotection—all of which align with the therapeutic strategies for xerostomia. Consequently, our laboratory is actively investigating the feasibility of using these herbal extracts for the treatment of xerostomia.

Research Projects/Grants:

1.2025/08/01~2026/07/31 (NSTC 114-2314-B-A49-025 -) (Project PI)
   The Application of Rhizome Extract from Ophioglossaceae Family Plant Helminthostachys zeylanica in Xerostomia
2.2024/08/01~2025/07/31  (NSTC 113-2635-B-A49-001-) (Project PI)
   The application of root extract from Brassicaceae family plant Lepidium meyenii Walpers in xerostomia

3.2024/08/01~2025/07/31 (NSTC 113-2320-B-038-066-) (Project Co-PI)
   The molecular mechanism of P. gingivalis affecting the severity of sepsis- the role of vasohibin-1 and its feasibility as a target for therapy
4.2024/08/01~2027/07/31 (NSTC 113-2314-B-016-025-MY3) (Project Co-PI)
   The role of SUMOylated MMP-2 in P. gingivalis aggravated abdominal aortic aneurysm formation
5.2023/08/01~2026/07/31 (NSTC 112-2314-B-016-051 -MY3) (Project Co-PI)
   The roles of asporin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan in B type natriuretic peptide-induced atrial fibrosis and its feasibility as a target for targeting therapy

6.2022/08/01~2023/07/31 (MOST 111-2320-B-038-020) (Project Co-PI)
   To explore the mechanism of Porphyromonas gingivalis-regulated angiogenesis: the prospective study of developing target therapy to inhibit angiogenesis

7.2021/08/01~2024/07/31 (MOST  110-2314-B-016-038-MY3) (Project Co-PI)
   To study the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis on orthotopic allograft vasculopathy
8.2021/08/01~2024/07/31 (MOST 110-2320-B-038-032-MY3) (Project Co-PI)
   The mechanisms of periodontal pathogen aggravating the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysm and the development of targeting therapy

9.2021/08/01~2023/07/31 (MOST 110-2314-B-016-049-MY2) (Project Co-PI)
   The roles of connexin 43 in B type natriuretic peptide-induced atrial fibrosis

10.2020/08/01~2021/07/31 (MOST 109-2314-B-016-048-) (Project Co-PI)
   To study the regulating mechanisms of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans on orthotopic allograft transplantation vasculopathy

Key Publications: (*: corresponding author)