 Prof. Jeong Seok Lee
Associate Professor in Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering
KAIST
South Korea |
Title:
Immune Divergence Between Vaccine-Associated and Conventional Myocarditis
Abstract:
Myocarditis presents with a wide clinical spectrum, from spontaneous resolution to fatal heart failure. While conventional myocarditis (COM) is commonly associated with viral or autoimmune etiologies, COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis (VAM) exhibits distinct immunopathologic features. Through longitudinal single-cell transcriptomic profiling of PBMCs and heart tissue from patients with VAM, COM, and vaccinated controls, we identified shared CCR2⁺ classical monocyte expansion. However, VAM was marked by IL-1β–driven inflammasome activation and Th17-skewed CD4⁺ T cells, whereas COM showed a dominant type I interferon signature. Tissue-infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes in VAM further demonstrated CXCR6–CXCL16–mediated localization. Temporal changes in type I IFN and IL-1β/TNF signaling were linked to disease phases and validated via TCR clonal tracking. These findings delineate distinct immune mechanisms in myocarditis subtypes and inform tailored immunosuppressive strategies.
Biography:
Dr. Jeong Seok Lee is a physician-scientist and immunologist serving as an Associate Professor at KAIST and a co-founder of Inocras Inc., a clinical genomics company. Trained in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, he combines clinical experience with single-cell and immune repertoire technologies to study chronic inflammatory diseases. His research focuses on the immunopathology of inflammatory arthritis, myocarditis, and interstitial lung disease, with particular interest in the diversity and plasticity of myeloid cells and CD4⁺ T cells. Using integrative multi-omics approaches, he aims to understand disease-driving immune circuits and inform precision diagnostics.
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