Research ID
Google scholar : https://scholar.google.com.hk/citations?hl=zh-TW&user=yIjb9qMAAAAJ
ORCid : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4780-0289
Researchgate : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yu_Lau
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7201403380

Research

Prof YL Lau’s research focuses on

(a) Primary immunodeficiencies (PID), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

(b) Immune responses to pathogens and modulation of immune cells by apoptotic cells

(c) Infectious disease and vaccine study

(d) Thalassaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)

Citation over 22,000 with h-index 81 & i10-index 300 by Google Scholar

(a) PID and SLE

Prof Lau has over 30 years of experience in studying PID and mapped the genetic loci for XLA and X-SCID using fragment length polymorphism in the 1980’s. He has defined several novel PID genes including RASGRP1, TCF3 and IL-10R1 using exome sequencing and functional validation (1-3). Over the last decade, he established the Asian PID Network in the University of Hong Kong as a referral center for e-consultation and free-of-charge molecular diagnosis of PID for patients in Asian and African countries (4-21), documenting with his colleagues the genotypes and phenotypes of various PID in Asia and beyond. In the early years, he collaborated with Professor M Turner and defined the genetics and phenotypes of mannose binding lectin (MBL) deficiency (22-24). He found that the MBL genetic polymorphisms in Chinese are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (25-27). He further provided evidence that MBL deficiency is of importance in susceptibility to SARS-coronavirus infection (28) and disease progression in hepatitis B virus infection (29). Paradoxically, MBL deficiency was shown to be protective against lung inflammation in influenza in a knockout mouse model (30).

Professor Lau started studying SLE and its genetics with case-control designs in the 1990’s (25-26; 31-41) and then moved to genome-wide association study with Dr WL Yang in 2010 (42-55), identifying many novel loci associated with SLE as well as establishing functional role in lupus pathogenesis for some of these loci, through collaboration with scientists from mainland China, Thailand, USA and UK.

(b) Immune response to pathogens and modulation of immune cells by apoptotic cells

Prof Lau has studied immune response to various pathogens, including Candida albicans, mycobacteria, SARS-coronavirus, Strephtococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus. In the early years, Prof Lau has collaborated with Professor Malik Peiris to identify abnormal induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the avian influenza A virus H5N1. He also collaborated with Professor Wenwei Tu to demonstrate the use of panmidronate to control influenza pathogenesis in a humanized mouse model and further explored the use of such model (56-62).

Prof Lau has supervised a number of graduate students to investigate how apoptotic cells may modulate the development of immune cells (63-66).

(c) Infectious disease and vaccine study

Prof Lau documented the low incidence of Hib infections in Hong Kong, which led to further studies in Asia-Pacific substantiating his first observations and his appointment as WHO Advisor on Hib infection and vaccination policy. He documented and analyzed the measles epidemiology in Hong Kong over 40 years, which led to 2 major public health decisions by the Hong Kong Government on measles vaccination. His publication on use of HBV vaccine in preterm babies is also widely quoted and forms the basis of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation in the Red Book. Prof Lau has collaborated with Professor Malik Peiris and Dr. Susan Chiu to delineate influenza disease manifestation and burden in Hong Kong, which have impact on health service planning. Prof Lau is active in drawing clinical trials of novel vaccines in Hong Kong, including influenza, rotavirus and HPV vaccines. (67-74)

(d) Thalassemia and HSCT

Prof Lau was the paediatrician in charge of the care of thalassemia patients and HSCT during his early career, and started the HSCT program in HKU during the early 1990’s. He established the prevalence and genotypes of thalassemia carriers in Hong Kong, informing the strategy for population screening, which was published in NEJM. (75-80)

Selected publications

(a) PID and SLE

1. Mao H, Yang W, Latour S, Yang J, Winter S, Zheng J, Ni K, Lv M, Liu C, Huang H, Chan KW, Pui-Wah Lee P, Tu W, Fischer A, Lau YL.  RASGRP1 mutation in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-like disease.  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2018; 142(2):595-604.
2. Ben-Ali M, Yang J, Chan KW, Ben-Mustapha I, Mekki N, Benabdesselem C, Mellouli F, Bejaoui M, Yang W, Aissaoui L, Lau YL, Barbouche MR.  Homozygous transcription factor 3 gene (TCF3) mutation is associated with severe hypogammaglobulinemia and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2017; pii: S0091-6749(17)30794-7. 
3. Mao H, Yang W, Lee PP, Ho MH, Yang J, Zeng S, Chong CY, Lee TL, Tu W, Lau YL.  Exome sequencing identifies novel compound heterozygous mutations of IL-10 receptor 1 in neonatal-onset Crohn's disease.  Genes & Immunity 2012; 13(5):437-42.   
4. Luk ADW, Ni K, Wu Y, Lam KT, Chan KW, Lee PP, Tu W, Mao H, Lau YL.  Type I and III Interferon Productions Are Impaired in X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia Patients Toward Poliovirus but Not Influenza Virus.  Front Immunol. 2018; 9:1826.
5. Luk ADW, Lee PP, Mao H, Chan KW, Chen XY, Chen TX, He JX, Kechout N, Suri D, Tao YB, Xu YB, Jiang LP, Liew WK, Jirapongsananuruk O, Daengsuwan T, Gupta A, Singh S, Rawat A, Abdul Latiff AH, Lee ACW, Shek LP, Nguyen TVA, Chin TJ, Chien YH, Abdul Latiff Z, Huong Le TM, Quynh Le NN, Lee BW, Li Q, Raj D, Barbouche MR, Thong MK, Ang MCD, Wang XC, Xu CG, Yu HG, Yu HH, Lee TL, Yau FYS, Wong WHS, Tu W, Yang W, Chong PCY, Ho MHK, Lau YL.  Family history of early infant death correlates with earlier age at diagnosis but not shorter time to diagnosis for severe combined immunodeficiency.  Frontiers in Immunology 2017 2017; 8:808.
6. Rawat A, Vignesh P, Sharma A, Shandilya JK, Sharma M, Suri D, Gupta A, Gautam V, Ray P, Rudramurthy SM, Chakrabarti A, Imai K, Nonoyama S, Ohara O, Lau YL, Singh S.  Infection Profile in Chronic Granulomatous Disease: a 23-Year Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in North India.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2017;37(3):319-328.
7. Vignesh P, Rawat A, Kumar A, Suri D, Gupta A, Lau YL, Chan KW, Singh S.  Chronic Granulomatous Disease Due to Neutrophil Cytosolic Factor (NCF2) Gene Mutations in Three Unrelated Families.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2017; 37(2):109-112.
8. Aadam Z, Kechout N, Barakat A, Chan KW, Ben-Ali M, Ben-Mustapha I, Zidi F, Ailal F, Attal N, Doudou F, Abbadi MC, Kaddache C, Smati L, Touri N, Chemli J, Gargah T, Brini I, Bakhchane A, Charoute H, Jeddane L, El Atiqi S, El Hafidi N, Hida M, Saile R, Alj HS, Boukari R, Bejaoui M, Najib J, Barbouche MR, Lau YL, Mellouli F, Bousfiha AA.  X-Linked Agammagobulinemia in a Large Series of North African Patients: Frequency, Clinical Features and Novel BTK Mutations.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2016; 36(3):187-94. 
9. Yang W, Lee PP, Thong MK, Ramanujam TM, Shanmugam A, Koh MT, Chan KW, Ying D, Wang Y, Shen JJ, Yang J, Lau YL.  Compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A cause familial multiple intestinal atresia and severe combined immunodeficiency.  Clinical Genetics 2014 [Epub ahead of print]
10. Rawat A, Singh S, Suri D, Gupta A, Saikia B, Minz RW, Sehgal S, Vaiphei K, Kamae C, Honma K, Nakagawa N, Imai K, Nonoyama S, Oshima K, Mitsuiki N, Ohara O, Chan KW, Lau YL.  Chronic granulomatous disease: two decades of experience from a tertiary care centre in North West India.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2014;34(1):58-67. 
11. Lee PP, Mao H, Yang W, Chan KW, Ho MH, Lee TL, Chan JF, Woo PC, Tu W, Lau YL.  Penicillium marneffei infection and impaired IFN-γ immunity in humans with autosomal-dominant gain-of-phosphorylation STAT1 mutations.  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2014;133(3):894-6.e5.
12. Marciano BE, Huang CY, Joshi G, Rezaei N, Carvalho BC, Allwood Z, Ikinciogullari A, Reda SM, Gennery A, Thon V, Espinosa-Rosales F, Al-Herz W, Porras O, Shcherbina A, Szaflarska A, Kiliç Ş, Franco JL, Gómez Raccio AC, Roxo P Jr, Esteves I, Galal N, Grumach AS, Al-Tamemi S, Yildiran A, Orellana JC, Yamada M, Morio T, Liberatore D, Ohtsuka Y, Lau YL, Nishikomori R, Torres-Lozano C, Mazzucchelli JT, Vilela MM, Tavares FS, Cunha L, Pinto JA, Espinosa-Padilla SE, Hernandez-Nieto L, Elfeky RA, Ariga T, Toshio H, Dogu F, Cipe F, Formankova R, Nuñez-Nuñez ME, Bezrodnik L, Marques JG, Pereira MI, Listello V, Slatter MA, Nademi Z, Kowalczyk D, Fleisher TA, Davies G, Neven B, Rosenzweig SD.  BCG vaccination in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency: complications, risks, and vaccination policies.  Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2014;133(4):1134-41. 
13. Lee PPW, Chan KW, Lee TL, Ho MHK, Chen XY, Li CH, Chu KM, Zeng HS, Lau YL.  Penicilliosis in children without HIV infection - Are they immunodeficient?.  Clinical Infectious Diseases  2012;54(2):e8-e19.
14. Lee PPW, Lau YL.  Improving care, education, and research: the Asian primary immunodeficiency network.  ANNALS of the New York Academy of Sciences 2011; 1238:33-41. 
15. Lee PP, Chan KW, Chen TX, Jiang LP, Wang XC, Zeng HS, Chen XY, Liew WK, Chen J, Chu KM, Chan LL, Shek L, Lee AC, Yu HH, Li Q, Xu CG, Sultan-Ugdoracion G, Latiff ZA, Latiff AH, Jirapongsananuruk O, Ho MH, Lee TL, Yang XQ, Lau YL.  Molecular Diagnosis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency-Identification of IL2RG, JAK3, IL7R, DCLRE1C, RAG1, and RAG2 Mutations in a Cohort of Chinese and Southeast Asian Children.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2010; 31(2):281-96. 
16. de Beaucoudrey L, Samarina A, Bustamante J, Cobat A, Boisson-Dupuis S, Feinberg J, Al-Muhsen S, Jannière L, Rose Y, de Suremain M, Kong XF, Filipe-Santos O, Chapgier A, Picard C, Fischer A, Dogu F, Ikinciogullari A, Tanir G, Al-Hajjar S, Al-Jumaah S, Frayha HH, AlSum Z, Al-Ajaji S, Alangari A, Al-Ghonaium A, Adimi P, Mansouri D, Ben-Mustapha I, Yancoski J, Garty BZ, Rodriguez-Gallego C, Caragol I, Kutukculer N, Kumararatne DS, Patel S, Doffinger R, Exley A, Jeppsson O, Reichenbach J, Nadal D, Boyko Y, Pietrucha B, Anderson S, Levin M, Schandené L, Schepers K, Efira A, Mascart F, Matsuoka M, Sakai T, Siegrist CA, Frecerova K, Blüetters-Sawatzki R, Bernhöft J, Freihorst J, Baumann U, Richter D, Haerynck F, De Baets F, Novelli V, Lammas D, Vermylen C, Tuerlinckx D, Nieuwhof C, Pac M, Haas WH, Müller-Fleckenstein I, Fleckenstein B, Levy J, Raj R, Cohen AC, Lewis DB, Holland SM, Yang KD, Wang X, Wang X, Jiang L, Yang X, Zhu C, Xie Y, Lee PP, Chan KW, Chen TX, Castro G, Natera I, Codoceo A, King A, Bezrodnik L, Di Giovani D, Gaillard MI, de Moraes-Vasconcelos D, Grumach AS, da Silva Duarte AJ, Aldana R, Espinosa-Rosales FJ, Bejaoui M, Bousfiha AA, Baghdadi JE, Ozbek N, Aksu G, Keser M, Somer A, Hatipoglu N, Aydogmus C, Asilsoy S, Camcioglu Y, Gülle S, Ozgur TT, Ozen M, Oleastro M, Bernasconi A, Mamishi S, Parvaneh N, Rosenzweig S, Barbouche R, Pedraza S, Lau YL, Ehlayel MS, Fieschi C, Abel L, Sanal O, Casanova JL.  Revisiting human IL-12Rβ1 deficiency: a survey of 141 patients from 30 countries.  Medicine (Baltimore) 2010; 89(6):381-402.
17. Lee PP, Chen TX, Jiang LP, Chan KW, Yang W, Lee BW, Chiang WC, Chen XY, Fok SF, Lee TL, Ho MH, Yang XQ, Lau YL.  Clinical Characteristics and Genotype-phenotype Correlation in 62 Patients with X-linked Agammaglobulinemia.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2010; 30:121-131.
18. Lee PP, Lau YL.  Primary immunodeficiencies: "new" disease in an old country.  Cellular & Molecular Immunology 2009;6(6):397-406.
19. Lee PP, Chen TX, Jiang LP, Chen J, Chan KW, Lee TL, Ho MH, Nong SH, Yang Y, Fang YJ, Li Q, Wang XC, Yang XQ, Lau YL.  Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of 35 Chinese Children with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome.  Journal of Clinical Immunology 2009; 29(4):490-500.
20. Lee PP, Chan KW, Jiang L, Chen T, Li C, Lee TL, Mak PH, Fok SF, Yang X, Lau YL.  Susceptibility to mycobacterial infections in children with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease: A review of 17 patients living a region endemic for tuberculosis.  Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2008; 27(3):224-30. 
21. Lee PP, Jiang LP, Wang XC, Chan KW, Tu WW, Lau YL.  Severe mycobacterial infections in two pairs of Chinese siblings with interleukin-12 receptor beta1 deficiency.  European Journal of Pediatrics 2008; 167:231-232.
22. Lipscombe RJ, Beatty DW, Ganczakowski M, Goddard EA, Jenkins T, Lau YL, Spurdle AB, Sumiya M, Summerfield JA anld Turner MW. Mutations in the human mannose-binding protein gene: frequencies in several population groups.  European Journal of Human Genetics. 1996;4:13-19.
23. Lau YL, Chan SY, Turner MW, Fong J and Karlberg J. Mannose-binding protein in preterm infants: developmental profile and clinical significance. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 1995;102:649-654.
24. Ip WK, To YF, Cheng SK, Lau YL.  Serum mannose-binding lectin levels and mbl2 gene polymorphisms in different age and gender groups of southern Chinese adults.  Scand J Immunol 2004; 59(3):310-314.
25. Lau YL, Lau CS, Chan SY, Turner MW and Karlberg J. Mannose-binding protein in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis and Rheumatism.  1996;39:706-708
26. Ip WK, Chan SY, Lau CS, Lau YL.  Association of systemic lupus erythematosus with promoter polymorphisms of the mannose-binding lectin gene.  Arthritis and Rheumatism 1998;41:1663-1668
27. Ip WK, Lau YL, Chan SY, Mok CC, Chan D, Tong KK, Lau CS.  Mannose binding lectin in rheumatoid arthritis in Southern Chinese. Arthritis and Rheumatism 2000; 43(8):1679-1687.
28. Ip WK, Chan KH, Law HKW, Tso GHW, Kong EKP, Wong WHS, To YF, Yung RWH, Chow EY, Au KL, Chan YET, Lim W, Jensenius JC, Turner MW, Peiris JSM, Lau YL.  Mannose-binding lectin in SARS coronavirus infection.  Journal of Infectious Diseases 2005; 191:1697-704.
29. Chong WP, To YF, Ip WK, Yuen MF, Poon TP, Wong WH, Lai CL, Lau YL.  Mannose-binding lectin in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.  Hepatology 2005; 42(5):1037-1045.
30. Ling MT, Tu WW, Han Y, Mao HW, Chong WP, Guan J, Liu M, Lam KT, Law HKW, Peiris JSM, Takahashi K, Lau YL.  Mannose binding lectin contributes to deleterious inflammatory response in pandemic H1N1 and avian H9N2 infection.  Journal of Infectious Diseases 2012;205(1):44-53. 
31. Chong WP, Ip WK, Lau CS, Chan TM,  Padyukov L, Lau YL. Common NOD2 polymorphisms in Hong Kong Chinese with systemic lupus erythematosus.  Rheumatology 2004; 43(1):104-5.
32. Chong WP, Ip WK, Wong WHS, Lau CS, Chan TM, Lau YL.  Association of interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus. Genes and Immunity 2004; 5(6):484-492.
33. Kong EKP, Prokunina-Olsson L, Wong WHS, Lau CS, Chan TM, Alarcón-Riquelme M, Lau YL.  A new haplotype of the PDCD1 (PD-1) gene is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Hong Kong Chinese.  Arthritis & Rheumatism 2005; 52(4):1058-1062.
34. Lee PPW, Lee TL, Ho MHK, Wong WHS, Lau YL.  Recurrent major infections in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus – a close link with long-term disease damage.  Rheumatology 2007 46(8):1290-6.
35. Kong EKP, Chong WP, Wong WHS, Lau CS, Chan TM, Ng PKM, Song YQ, Mak W, Lau YL.  p21 gene polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus.  Rheumatology 2007; 46(2):220-6.
36. Mok MY, Ip WK, Lau CS, Lo YI, Wong WHS, Lau YL.  Mannose-binding lectin and susceptibility to infection in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.  Journal of Rheumatology 2007; 34:1270-1276. 
37. Siu HO, Yang W, Lau CS, Chan TM, Wong RW, Wong WH, Lau YL, Alarcon-Riquelme ME.  Association of a haplotype of IRF5 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese.  Journal of Rheumatology 2008;35(2):360-2.
38. Willcocks LC, Lyons PA, Clatworthy MR, Robinson JI, Yang W, Newland SA, Plagnol V, McGovern NN, Condliffe AM, Chilvers ER, Adu D, Jolly EC, Watts R, Lau YL, Morgan AW, Nash G, Smith KG.  Copy number of FCGR3B, which is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, correlates with protein expression and immune complex uptake.  Journal of Experimental Medicine 2008; 205(7):1573-82.
39. Yang W, Ng P, Zhao M, Hirankarn N, Lau CS, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Lee KW, Mok MY, Wong SN, Avihingsanon Y, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Wong WH, Lau YL.  Population differences in SLE susceptibility genes: STAT4 and BLK, but not PXK, are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong Chinese.  Genes & Immunity 2009; 10(3):219-26.
40. Chang YK, Yang W, Zhao M, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Lee KW, Mok MY, Wong SN, Ng IO, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Wong WH, Lau CS, Sham PC, Lau YL.  Association of BANK1 and TNFSF4 with systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong Chinese.  Genes and  Immunity 2009; 10(5):414-20.
41. Yang W, Zhao M, Hirankarn N, Lau CS, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Lee KW, Mok MY, Wong SN, Avihingsanon Y, Ng IO, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Wong WH, Sham PC, Lau YL.  ITGAM is associated with disease susceptibility and renal nephritis of systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong Chinese and Thai.  Human Molecular Genetics 2009;18(11):2063-70.
42. Yang W, Shen N, Ye DQ, Liu Q, Zhang Y, Qian XX, Hirankarn N, Ying D, Pan HF, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Lee KW, Mok MY, Wong SN, Leung AM, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Wong CM, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chang YK, Li PH, Li RJ, Zhang L, Wong WH, Ng IO, Lau CS, Sham PC, Lau YL; Asian Lupus Genetics Consortium.  Genome-wide association study in Asian populations identifies variants in ETS1 and WDFY4 associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.  PLoS Genetics 2010 Feb 12;6(2):e1000841.
43. Shen N, Fu Q, Deng Y, Qian X, Zhao J, Kaufman KM, Wu YL, Yu CY, Tang Y, Chen JY, Yang W, Wong M, Kawasaki A, Tsuchiya N, Sumida T, Kawaguchi Y, Howe HS, Mok MY, Bang SY, Liu FL, Chang DM, Takasaki Y, Hashimoto H, Harley JB, Guthridge JM, Grossman JM, Cantor RM, Song YW, Bae SC, Chen S, Hahn BH, Lau YL, Tsao BP.  Sex-specific association of X-linked Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) with male systemic lupus erythematosus.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2010;107(36):15838-43.
44. Yang J, Yang W, Hirankarn N, Ye DQ, Zhang Y, Pan HF, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Mok MY, Lee KW, Wong SN, Leung AM, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V, Baum L, Kwan P, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Wong WH, Zeng S, Zhang J, Wong CM, Ng IO, Garcia-Barceló MM, Cherny SS, Tam PK, Sham PC, Lau CS, Lau YL.  ELF1 is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.  Human Molecular Genetics 2011; 20(3):601-7. 
45. Zhang Y, Yang W, Mok CC, Chan TM, Wong RW, Mok MY, Lee KW, Wong SN, Leung AM, Lee TL, Ho MH, Lee PP, Wong WH, Yang J, Zhang J, Wong CM, Ng IO, Garcia-Barceló MM, Cherny SS, Tam PK, Sham PC, Lau CS, Lau YL.  Two missense variants in UHRF1BP1 are independently associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong Chinese.  Genes and Immunity 2011;12(3):231-4.
46. Luo X, Yang W, Ye DQ, Cui H, Zhang Y, Hirankarn N, Qian X, Tang Y, Lau YL, de Vries N, Tak PP, Tsao BP, Shen N.  A Functional Variant in MicroRNA-146a Promoter Modulates Its Expression and Confers Disease Risk for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.  PLoS Genetics 2011;7(6):e1002128.
47. Yang W, Tang H, Zhang Y, Tang X, Zhang J, Sun L, Yang J, Cui Y, Zhang L, Hirankarn N, Cheng H, Pan HF, Gao J, Lee TL, Sheng Y, Lau CS, Li Y, Chan TM, Yin X, Ying D, Lu Q, Leung AMH, Zuo X, Chen X, Tong KL, Zhou F, Diao Q, Tse NKC, Xie H, Mok CC, Hao F, Wong SN, Shi B, Lee KW, Hui Y, Ho MHK, Liang B, Lee PPW, Cui H, Guo Q, Chung BHY, Pu X, Liu Q, Zhang X, Zhang C, Chong CY, Fang H, Wong RWS, Sun Y, Mok MY, Li XP, Avihingsanon, Zhai Z, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Gao F, Shotelersuk V, Kang X, Ying SKY, Zhang L, Wong WHS, Zhu D, Fung SKS, Zeng F, Lai WM, Wong CM, Ng IOL, Garcia-Barceló M, Cherny SS, Shen N, Tam PKH, Sham PC, Ye DQ, Yang S, Zhang XJ, Lau YL.  Meta-Analysis and followed by replication identify identifies loci in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with susceptibility genes for systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians.  American Journal of Human Genetics 2013; 10;92(1):41-51. 
48. Zhang J, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Yang J, Ying D, Zeng S, Lee TL, Lau CS, Chan TM, Leung AM, Mok CC, Wong SN, Lee KW, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chung BH, Chong CY, Wong RW, Mok MY, Wong WH, Lau YL, Yang W.  Epistatic Interaction between Genetic Variants in Susceptibility Gene ETS1 Correlates with IL-17 Levels in SLE Patients.  Annals of Human Genetics 2013; 77:344-350.
49. Zhang J, Zhang Y, Yang J, Zhang L, Sun L, Pan HF, Hirankarn N, Ying D, Zeng S, Lee TL, Lau CS, Chan TM, Leung AM, Mok CC, Wong SN, Lee KW, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chung BH, Chong CY, Wong RW, Mok MY, Wong WH, Tong KL, Tse NK, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V, Ying SK, Fung SK, Lai WM, Garcia-Barceló MM, Cherny SS, Tam PK, Cui Y, Sham PC, Yang S, Ye DQ, Zhang XJ, Lau YL, Yang W.  Three SNPs in chromosome 11q23.3 are independently associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians.  Human Molecular Genetics 2014; 23(2):524-533.
50. Zhang J, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Yang J, Guo M, Sun L, Pan HF, Hirankarn N, Ying D, Zeng S, Lee TL, Lau CS, Chan TM, Leung AM, Mok CC, Wong SN, Lee KW, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chung BH, Chong CY, Wong RW, Mok MY, Wong WH, Tong KL, Tse NK, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V, Ying SK, Fung SK, Lai WM, Garcia-Barceló MM, Cherny SS, Sham PC, Cui Y, Yang S, Ye DQ, Zhang XJ, Lau YL, Yang W.  Gene-based meta-analysis of genome-wide association study data identifies independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ANXA6 as being associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.  Arthritis & Rheumatology 2015;67(11):2966-77.
51. Zhang Y, Wang Y, Yang J, Zhang J, Sun L, Hirankarn N, Pan HF, Lau CS, Chan TM, Lee TL, Leung AM, Mok CC, Zhang L, Shen JJ, Wong SN, Lee KW, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chung BH, Chong CY, Wong RW, Mok MY, Wong WH, Tong KL, Tse NK, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V, Ying SK, Fung SK, Lai WM, Wong CM, Ng IO, Garcia-Barcelo MM, Cherny SS, Tam PK, Sham PC, Yang S, Ye DQ, Cui Y, Zhang XJ, Yang W, Lau YL.    Meta-analysis of two Chinese populations identifies an autoimmune disease risk allele in 22q11.21 as associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2015;17(1):67.
52. Zhang Y, Yang J, Zhang J, Sun L, Hirankarn N, Pan HF, Lau CS, Chan TM, Lee TL, Leung AM, Mok CC, Zhang L, Wang Y, Shen JJ, Wong SN, Lee KW, Ho MH, Lee PP, Chung BH, Chong CY, Wong RW, Mok MY, Wong WH, Tong KL, Tse NK, Li XP, Avihingsanon Y, Rianthavorn P, Deekajorndej T, Suphapeetiporn K, Shotelersuk V, Ying SK, Fung SK, Lai WM, Wong CM, Ng IO, Garcia-Barcelo MM, Cherny SS, Cui Y, Sham PC, Yang S, Ye DQ, Zhang XJ, Lau YL, Yang W.  Genome-wide search followed by replication reveals genetic interaction of CD80 and ALOX5AP associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.  Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2016;75(5):891-8.
53. Morris DL, Sheng Y, Zhang Y, Wang YF, Zhu Z, Tombleson P, Chen L, Cunninghame Graham DS, Bentham J, Roberts AL, Chen R, Zuo X, Wang T, Wen L, Yang C, Liu L, Yang L, Li F, Huang Y, Yin X, Yang S, Rönnblom L, Fürnrohr BG, Voll RE, Schett G, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Gaffney PM, Lau YL, Zhang X, Yang W, Cui Y, Vyse TJ.  Genome-wide association meta-analysis in Chinese and European individuals identifies ten new loci associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.  Nature Genetics 2016; 48(8):940-6.
54. Wang YF, Zhang Y, Zhu Z, Wang TY, Morris DL, Shen JJ, Zhang H, Pan HF, Yang J, Yang S, Ye DQ, Vyse TJ, Cui Y, Zhang X, Sheng Y, Lau YL, Yang W.  Identification of ST3AGL4, MFHAS1, CSNK2A2 and CD226 as loci associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluation of SLE genetics in drug repositioning.  Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2018. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213093. [Epub ahead of print]
55. Zhang H, Zhang Y, Wang YF, Morris D, Hirankarn N, Sheng Y, Shen J, Pan HF, Yang J, Yang S, Cui Y, Ye DQ, Vyse TJ, Zhang X, Lau YL, Yang W.  Meta-analysis of GWAS on both Chinese and European populations identifies GPR173 as a novel X chromosome susceptibility gene for SLE.  Arthritis Research & Therapy 2018;20(1):92.

(b) Immune response to pathogens and modulation of immune cells by apoptotic cells

56. Wu Y, Tu W, Lam KT, Chow KH, Ho PL, Guan Y, Malik Peiris JS, Lau YL.  Lethal co-infection of influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae lowers antibody response to influenza virus in lung, and reduces germinal center B cells, T follicular helper cells and plasma cells in mediastinal lymph node.  Journal of Virology 2015; 89(4):2013-23. 4.439. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02455-14
57. Xiang Z, Liu Y, Zheng J, Liu M, Lv A, Gao Y, Hu H, Lam KT, Chan GC, Yang Y, Chen H, Tsao GS, Bonneville M, Lau YL, Tu W.  Targeted activation of human Vγ9Vδ2-T cells controls epstein-barr virus-induced B cell lymphoproliferative disease.  Cancer Cell 2014;26(4):565-76. 23.523. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2014.07.026
58. Zheng J, Liu Y, Liu M, Xiang Z, Lam KT, Lewis DB, Lau YL, Tu W. Human CD8 regulatory T cells inhibit graft-versus-host disease and preserve general immunity in humanized mice. Science Translational Medicine 2013; 16;5(168):168ra9. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004943
59. Ip WK, Lau YL. Role of mannose-binding lectin in innate defense against Candida albicans: enhancement of complement activation but lack of opsonic function in phagocytosis by human dendritic cells.  Journal of Infectious Diseases 2004; 190:632-640.
60. Tu W, Zheng J, Liu Y, Sia SF, Liu M, Qin G, Ng IH, Xiang Z, Lam KT, Peiris JS, Lau YL.  The aminobisphosphonate pamidronate controls influenza pathogenesis by expanding a {gamma}{delta} T cell population in humanized mice.  Journal of Experimental Medicine 2011;208(7):1511-22. doi: 10.1084/jem.20110226
61. Mao H, Tu W, Liu Y, Qin G, Zheng J, Chan PL, Lam KT, Peiris JS, Lau YL.  Inhibition of human natural killer cell activity by influenza virions and hemagglutinin.  Journal of Virology 2010;84(9):4148-57. doi: 10.1128/JVI.02340-09
62. Mao H, Tu W, Qin G, Law HK, Sia SF, Chan PL, Liu Y, Lam KT, Zheng J, Peiris M, Lau YL.  Influenza virus directly infects human natural killer cells and induces cell apoptosis.  Journal of Virology 2009;83(18):9215-22. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00805-09
63. Chong WP, Ling MT, Liu Y, Caspi RR, Wong WM, Wu W, Tu W, Lau YL.  Essential role of NK cells in IgG therapy for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.  PLoS One 2013;8(4):e60862. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060862
64. Chong WP, Zhou J, Law HK, Tu W, Lau YL.  Natural killer cells become tolerogenic after interaction with apoptotic cells.  European Journal of Immunology 2010; 40(6):1718-1727.  doi: 10.1002/eji.200939768
65. Tso GH, Law HK, Tu W, Chan GC, Lau YL.  Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells Modulates Mesenchymal Stem Cells Osteogenic Differentiation to Enhance IL-17 and RANKL Expression on CD4+ T cells.  Stem Cells 2010; 28(5):939-54.  doi: 10.1002/stem.406
66. Ip WK, Lau YL.  Distinct maturation but not migration between human monocyte-derived dendritic cells upon ingestion of apoptotic cells of early or late phases.  Journal of Immunology 2004; 173(1):189-96. PMID: 15210774

(c) Infectious disease and vaccine study

67. Lau YL, Low LCK, Yung R, Ng KW, Leung CW, Lee WH, Ho A and Oppenheimer SJ for the Hong Kong Hib Study Group. lnvasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in children hospitalized in Hong Kong 1986 to 1990. Acta Paediatrica 1995;84:173-176.
68. Lau YL, Chow CB and Leung TH. The changing epidemiology of measles in Hong Kong from 1961 to 1990 - Impact of the Measles Vaccination Programme. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1992;165:1111-1115.
69. Lau YL, Tam AYC Ng, KW, Tsoi NS, Lam B, Lam P and Yeung CY. Response of preterm infants to hepatitis B vaccine. Journal of Pediatrics 1992;121:962-965.
70. Lau YL, Yung R, Low LCK, Sung R, Leung CW, Lee WH. Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in Hong Kong. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 1998;17(9):S165-S169.
71. Chiu SS, Chan KH, Tu W, Lau YL, Peiris JS.  Immunogenicity and safety of intradermal versus intramuscular route of influenza immunization in infants less than 6 months of age: A randomized controlled trial.  Vaccine 2009; 27(35):4834-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.05.066
72. Chiu SS, Lau YL, Chan KH, Wong HSW, Peiris JSM.  A population based study defining influenza-related hospitalization in children in Hong Kong.  New England Journal of Medicine 2002; 347(26):2097-103. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa020546
73. Lau YL, Nelson EA, Poon KH, Chan PK, Chiu S, Sung R, Leung CW, Ng D, Ma YM, Chan D, Lee TL, Tang J, Kwan YW, Ip P, Ho M, Fung LW, Tang H, Suryakiran PV, Han HH, Bock H; Hong Kong Rotarix Study Group.   Efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of a human rotavirus vaccine (RIX4414) in Hong Kong children up to three years of age: a randomized, controlled trial.  Vaccine 2013;31(18):2253-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.03.001
74. Lau YL, Vessey SJ, Chan IS, Lee TL, Huang LM, Lee CY, Lin TY, Lee BW, Kwan K, Kasim SM, Chan CY, Kaplan KM, Distefano DJ, Harmon AL, Golie A, Hartzel J, Xu J, Li S, Matthews H, Sadoff JC, Shaw A. A comparison of safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of Oka/Merck varicella vaccine and VARILRIX in healthy children.  Vaccine. 2002;20(23-24):2942-9.

(d) Thalassaemia and HSCT

75. Lau YL, Chan LC, Chan YYA, Ha SY, Yeung CY, Waye JS, Chui DHK. Prevalence and genotypes of α- and β-thalassaemias carriers in Hong Kong: implications for population screening. New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:1298-130l
76. Lau YL, Ma SK, Ha SY, Chan GCF, Chiu D, Tang M, Hawkins BR, Chan V, Liang RHS.  Sibling HLA-matched cord blood transplant for β-thalassaemia :  Report of two cases, expression of fetal hemoglobin, and review of the literature.  Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 1998;20(5):477-481
77. Lau YL, Peiris M, Chan GCF, Chan CL, Chiu D, Ha SY. Primary human herpes virus 6 infection transmitted from donor to recipient through bone marrow infusion.  Bone Marrow Transplantation 1998;21:1063-1066
78. Lau YL, Ha SY, Chan GCF, Lee ACW, Liang RHS, Yuen HL.  Bone marrow transplant for dyskeratosis congenita. [letter]  British Journal of Haematology 1999; 105(2):571.
79. Lau YL, Chow CB, Lee ACW, Ng KW, Lim WL, Chan CF, Lam SY and Li CK. Hepatitis C virus antibody in multiply transfused Chinese with thalassaemia major. Bone Marrow Transplantation l993;12(S1):26-28.
80. Lau YL, Kwong YL, Lee ACW, Chiu EKW, Ha SY, Chan CF, Chan Vivian and Chan TK. Mixed chimerism following bone marrow transplantation for severe combined immunodeficiency: a study by DNA fingerprinting and simultaneous immunophenotyping and fluocescence in-situ hybridisation. Bone Marrow Transplantation 1995;15:971-976.

Full publication list

Education

As Associate Dean for Education in the mid-1990's, Professor YL Lau assisted Dean SP Chow in the design and implementation of the new MBBS curriculum introducing problem-based learning and system-based modules to integrate pre-clinical disciplines with clinical cases. He further started a Post-graduate Diploma course in Child and Adolescent Health in 2004, together with members of the Department. As Founding President of APSID, he has organized 9 Schools based on case-driven learning for over 400 young doctors and scientists to present their difficult PID cases to international faculty for learning together. [Website: http://paed.hku.hk/APSID/home.html] He firmly believes in authentic and supervised learning experience for students and trainees, emphasing on the meticulous analysis of symptoms and signs, with clinical reasoning and scientific mind. In particular, he wishes to emphasize the humanistic aspect of medical practice with reflective learning and real-time feedback.

Books and book chapters

Clinical Service

Professor YL Lau is providing clinical service for children with primary immunodeficiencies, rheumatological, allergic and infectious diseases, and those who need stem cell transplants. He has assembled a team of paediatricians with expertise in immunology, infectious diseases, rheumatology and allergy to work side by side with paediatricians with expertise in oncology and haematology.

He is now leading the Immunology & Rheumatology service in both Queen Mary Hospital and the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital.