Professor Chih-Jaan Tai
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Vice-President, Korean Rhinologic Society, Korea
Dr. Ji-Hun Mo, M.D., Ph.D. is Professor and Chairman of Otorhinolaryngology at Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea. He specializes in rhinology, allergy, immunology, and sleep medicine. After earning his medical and doctoral degrees from Seoul National University, he completed postdoctoral training in immunology at UC San Diego. Dr. Mo has published extensively on allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis and has led numerous clinical trials. He currently serves as Vice President of the Korean Rhinologic Society and has received multiple academic awards recognizing his contributions to allergy and airway research.
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Translational Research in Allergic Rhinitis Using Laser-Based Therapies
We have been working on allergic rhinitis (AR) for several years, aiming to develop novel, noninvasive therapies that address both symptoms and underlying inflammation. Our translational research explores the efficacy and mechanisms of laser-based treatments, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT), microneedle-assisted laser patches, and stem cell-laser hybrid strategies. In murine AR models, intranasal or transcutaneous LLLT at specific wavelengths (650–910 nm) significantly reduced nasal symptoms, serum IgE, and eosinophilic infiltration. A novel microneedle patch laser effectively transmitted light through the nasal bone to modulate mucosal inflammation, showing reductions in IL-4 and epithelial thickness . In parallel, we demonstrated that LLLT enhances the immunomodulatory capacity of tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs), increasing their secretion of TGF-β, HGF, and PGE2. The conditioned media from LLLT-treated T-MSCs markedly suppressed Th2 and Th17 inflammation in AR mice . Clinical translation was supported by a randomized controlled trial, where intranasal LLLT significantly improved nasal symptoms and quality of life in patients with perennial AR without notable adverse effects . These findings support laser-based therapies as promising adjuncts or alternatives in AR treatment, bridging preclinical mechanisms with clinical applicability.
