

Jean Christopher Chamcheu, PhD
Assistant Professor, School of Basic Pharmaceutical & Toxicological Sciences
Education
Ph D
2010, Dermatology & Venereology
Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Sweden
MS
2004, Biomedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University
BS
2000, Biochemistry
Faculty of Science, Dschang University, Cameroon
Biographical Sketch
For over ten years, Dr. Chamcheu has devoted his research efforts to identifying and understanding the genetic and molecular basis of human skin diseases and to develop novel mechanism-based small molecular weight natural dietary and synthetic scaffold agents for the prevention and treatments of hereditary, stress-induced, and chronic inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancers. As a graduate and postdoctoral trainee, he identified disease molecular targets as markers for genodermatoses [Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), Epidermolytic Icthyoses (EI)] and skin inflammation (psoriasis) and established 3D reconstituted human skin equivalent (RHSE) models that more closely mimic human skin. He employed these to investigate the biology and disease etiology and demonstrated for the first time the therapeutic effects of small molecule chemical chaperones and dietary compounds to treat EBS, EI, melanoma, and psoriasis.
As a tenure-track assistant professor at the ULM College of Pharmacy, he has been establishing an independent research program currently devoting a large portion of focused efforts to delineating the molecular diagnostic and disease mechanisms, and to establishing novel predictive biomarkers as targets of cutaneous hyperplasia and inflammation-related skin pathologies, particularly in psoriasis. His research program is also focused on developing natural and synthetic small molecules as target-specific responses for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of skin inflammation and cancers. His long-term goal is to identify biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for halting and resolving inflammation and skin carcinogenesis. We are currently investigating the role of the central mTOR/Rac1 hub in psoriasis, and the role of intervention with natural products such as fisetin and their synthetic derivatives in epidermal differentiation, proliferation, and inflammation, as candidates or lead drugs for treating psoriasis and possibly other inflammatory conditions.
If successful our strategies could define the role of specific signaling pathway component(s), and preclinically develop natural and synthetic compounds individually or in combination or as adjuvants to FDA-approved drugs for long-term benefits of patients with psoriasis, and other hyperproliferative and chronic autoimmune disorders.
We have a solid publication record with over 36 PubMed indexed peer-reviewed research articles and reviews with over half of which Dr. Chamcheu appears as the first or corresponding author, 2 book chapters, 1 edited book, and over 38 published conference proceedings.
Positions and Employment
2000 - 2002 Research Technician, Institute of Medical Research & Studies of Medicinal Plants, Cameroon
2004 - 2004 Research Assistant, Dept. Of Biomedicine & Surgery, Linköping University, Sweden
2005 - 2010 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden
2006 - 2006 Visiting Scientist, Centre for Cutaneous Research, Queen Mary University of London, UK
2005 - 2010 Graduate Research Assistant, Dermatology/Venereology, Uppsala University, Sweden
2010 - 2014 PostDoc. Research Associate, Dept. of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2014 - 2017 Assistant Scientist, Dept. of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2014 - 2017 Instructor, Dept. of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2017 - present Assistant Professor, School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, LA
Other experience and Professional Society Memberships (Current)
2006-Member, The Swedish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SSBMB)
2008-Member, The European Society for Dermatological Research (EDSR)
2008-Member, Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID)
2009-2019-Member, American The American Chemical Society (ACS)
2019 -Member, The American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP)
Editorial Appointment and Reviewer for Scientific Journals (Current Selected few)
British Journal of Dermatology, British Journal of Pharmacology, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Experimental Dermatology, Scientific Reports, Cancer Research, Nutrients, Chemical Research in Toxicology, Drug design, Development & Therapy, Biologics: Targets and Therapy, Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy, Life Sciences, PLoS One, Photochemistry and Photobiology, Molecular Medicine, Enliven: Clinical Dermatology, International Journal of Nanomedicine, International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Honors and Awards
2004 Recipient, Skin Biology & Keratin Disease Research Scholarship, Uppsala University, Sweden
2005 Recipient, Pre-doc trainee grants from Royal Astella & Medical Research Council Sweden
2006 Recipient, Pre-doctoral Travel Awards, Welander & Stiftelson Foundation, Uppsala University, Sweden
2011 Recipient, Pachyonychia Congenita Travel Award for 71st SID meeting, (May 4-7) Phoenix, AR, USA
2012 Recipient, The 72nd SID Annual Meeting PhD-Retreat, (May 9-12) Raleigh, NC, USA
2016 Recipient, American Skin Association Carson Research Scholar Award in Psoriasis, USA.
2016 Recipient, Fellow Travel Award from the Society for Investigative Dermatology, USA, to present my research work in SID annual meeting, Scottsdale, AR, (May 11-14)
2016 Recipient, Junior Scientists Travel Award from International Journal of Molecular Sciences, to SID meeting, May 11-14, Scottsdale, AR, USA
2018 Recipient, Pilot Award from Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) for ULM COP, USA
2018 Recipient, Faculty Research Support (FRS) Grant from ULM College of Pharmacy, USA
2018 PI/Mentor, Summer Graduate Research Award for a graduate student.
Contributions to Science:
My contribution to skin and cancer biology and disease and therapeutics are discussed below.
- Discovery of the molecular basis of inflammatory skin diseases, and establishment of in vitro engineered three-dimensional (3D) normal and diseased human skin models of psoriasis and skin cancers, and for testing new therapies: Earlier, we defined the molecular basis of hereditary and inflammatory skin diseases, established and characterized the pharmacological effects and the role of natural small molecules using 2D culture and 3D bioengineering skin models. These RHSE systems were used to investigate the biology, etiology, and treatment of dermatoses and I have successfully developed a similar system to modulate human psoriasis, melanoma, and UV-induced skin cancer and employ all with application on testing treatments.
- Developing natural products-based therapies for cutaneous hyperproliferation, inflammation, and cancers: There is a considerable emphasis to identify potential chemotherapeutic agents from food consumed by humans. The development of effective therapeutics for humans requires conclusive evidence of their efficacy in 3D models that faithfully recapitulate disease prior to preclinical models closely emulating human disease. We utilized 2D and 3D, and preclinical in vivo animal models to develop therapeutic agents for non-melanoma/UV-induced skin and prostate cancers, and inflammatory disorders therapeutics. We explored the usefulness of several natural dietary agents, delphinidin, green tea (EGCG), VitD3; fisetin etc., as anti-psoriatic agents, and a huge portion of our focus was devoted to defining several molecular disease targets. We also investigated the potential usefulness of these small molecule inhibitor agents and established a novel predictive mechanism-based therapy approach for drug development. In fact, we proved that these dietary agents promoted skin regeneration and attenuated psoriasis-like parameters acting as promising anti-psoriatic or anticancer agents.
- Nanomedicine and nanotechnology delivery of natural products for the treatment of skin inflammation and cancers: There is considerable emphasis on developing potential chemotherapeutic dietary product agents present in food consumed by humans while enhancing their poor bioavailability as well as transdermal delivery. The development requires conclusive evidence of agent efficacy in preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate human disease. I have demonstrated a record of accomplished and productive research in the area of nanotechnology and the successful delivery of agents for the treatment of skin and prostate cancer as well as inflammation in psoriasis.
List of selected publications:
- Roy T, Boateng ST, Banang-Mbeumi S, Singh PK, Basnet P, Chamcheu RN, Ladu F, Chauvin I, Spiegelman SS, Hill RA, Kousoulas KG, Nagalo MB, Walker AL, Fotie J, Murru S, Sechi M, Chamcheu JC*. (2021). Synthesis, Inverse Docking-Assisted Identification and in vitro Biological Characterization of Flavonol-based Analogs of Fisetin as c-Kit, CDK2 and mTOR Inhibitors against Melanoma and Non-melanoma Skin Cancers. Bioorg Chem. 2020 Dec 30;107:104595. PMID: 33450548.
- Chamcheu JC*, Esnault S, Adhami VM, Noll AL, Banang-Mbeumi S, Roy T, Singh SS, Huang S, Kousoulas KG, Mukhtar H. (2019) Fisetin, a 3,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone Inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK Pathways and Ameliorates Psoriasis Pathology in 2D and 3D Organotypic Human Inflammatory Skin Models. Cells. 2019 Sep 15;8(9). PMID: 31540162.
- Chamcheu JC*, Roy T, Uddin MB, Banang-Mbeumi S, Chamcheu RN, Walker AL, Liu YY, Huang S. (2019). Role and Therapeutic Targeting of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Skin Cancer: A Review of Current Status and Future Trends on Natural and Synthetic Agents Therapy. Cells. 2019
Jul 31;8(8):803. PMID: 31370278.
- Chamcheu JC*, Siddiqui IA, Adhami VM, Esnault S, Bharali DJ, Babatunde AS, Adame S, Massey RJ, Wood GS, Longley BJ, Mousa SA, Mukhtar H. (2018) (Chitosan-based nanoformulated (-)-epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG) modulates human keratinocyte-induced responses and alleviates imiquimod-induced murine psoriasiform dermatitis. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018 Jul 20;13:4189-4206. PMCID: PMC6059258.
- Karrys A, Rady I, Chamcheu RN, Sabir MS, Mallick S, Chamcheu JC*, Jurutka PW, Haussler MR, Whitfield GK. Bioactive Dietary VDR Ligands Regulate Genes Encoding Biomarkers of Skin Repair That Are Associated with Risk for Psoriasis (2018). Nutrients. 2018 Feb 4;10(2). pii: E174. doi: 10.3390/nu10020174. PMID: 29401702; PMCID: PMC5852750.
- Rady I, Bloch MB, Chamcheu RN, Banang Mbeumi S, Anwar MR, Mohamed H, Babatunde AS, Jules-Roger Kuiate J, Noubissi FK., El Sayed KA, Whitfield GK, Chamcheu JC* (2018). Anticancer Properties of Graviola (Annona muricata): A Comprehensive Mechanistic Review. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Jul 30;2018:1826170. PMID: 30151067.
- Chamcheu JC*, Rady I, Chamcheu RN, Siddique AB, Bloch MB, Banang Mbeumi S, Babatunde AS, Uddin MB, Noubissi FK, Jurutka PW, Liu YY, Spiegelman VS, Whitfield GK, El Sayed KA (2018). Graviola (Annona muricata) Exerts Anti-Proliferative, Anti-Clonogenic and Pro-Apoptotic Effects in Human Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer UW-BCC1 and A431 Cells In Vitro: Involvement of Hedgehog Signaling. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jun 16;19(6) :1791. PMID: 29914183; PMCID: PMC6032424.
- Sanna V, Singh CK, Jashari R, Adhami VM, Chamcheu JC, Rady I, Sechi M, Mukhtar H, Siddiqui IA (2017). Targeted nanoparticles encapsulating (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate for prostate cancer prevention and therapy. Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 1;7:41573. doi: 10.1038/srep41573. PubMed PMID: 28145499; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5286400.
- Chamcheu JC, Chaves-Rodriquez MI, Vaqar AM, Imtiaz AS, Wood GS, Longley BJ and Mukhtar H (2016). Upregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR, FABP5 and PPARβ/δ in human psoriasis and imiquimod-induced murine psoriasiform dermatitis model. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016 Aug 23;96(6):854-6. PMID: 26833029 PMCID: PMC5540143.
- Chamcheu JC*, Adhami VM, Esnault S, Sechi M, Siddiqui IA, Satyshur KA, Syed DN, Chaves- Rodriquez MI, Longley BJ, Wood GS, Mukhtar H (2017). Dual Inhibition of PI3K/Akt and mTOR by the Dietary Antioxidant, Delphinidin, Ameliorates Psoriatic Features In Vitro and in an Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Disease in Mice. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2017 Jan 10;26(2):49-69. PMID: 27393705.
- Chamcheu JC*, Pal HC, Siddiqui IA, Adhami VM, Ayehunie S, Boylan BT, Noubissi FK, Khan N, Syed DN, Elmets CA, Wood GS, Afaq F, Mukhtar H (2015). Prodifferentiation, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of delphinidin, a dietary anthocyanidin, in a full-thickness three-dimensional reconstituted human skin model of psoriasis. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2015;28(4):177-88.
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Sanna V, Chamcheu JC, Pala N, Mukhtar H, Sechi M, Siddiqui IA(2015). Nanoencapsulation of natural triterpenoid celastrol for prostate cancer treatment. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015 Oct 30;10:6835-46. PMCID: PMC4636169.
- Pal HC, Chamcheu JC, Athar M, Wood GS, Elmets CA, Mukhtar H and Afaq F (2015). Topical application of delphinidin reduces psoriasiform lesions in the flaky skin mouse model by inducing epidermal differentiation and inhibiting inflammation. British J Dermatol. 2015 Feb;172(2):354-64. PMCID: PMC4324120.
- Syed DN, Chamcheu JC, Khan MI, Sechi M, Lall RK, Adhami VM, Mukhtar H( 2014). Fisetin inhibits human melanoma cell growth through direct binding to p70S6K and mTOR: findings from 3-D melanoma skin equivalents and computational modeling. Biochem Pharmacol. 2014 Jun 1;89(3):349-60. PMID: 24675012 . PMCID: PMC4116133.
- Calvo-Castro L, Syed DN, Chamcheu JC, Vilela FM, Pérez AM, Vaillant F, Rojas M, Mukhtar H (2013). Protective effect of tropical highland blackberry juice (Rubus adenotrichos Schltdl.) against UVB-mediated damage in human epidermal keratinocytes and in a reconstituted skin equivalent model. Photochem Photobiol. 2013, 89:1199-207. PMID: 23711186; PMCID: PMC3962679.
Licensure & Certification
Research Interests
The primary goals of our Molecular Dermatology and Experimental Therapeutics (MODET) Laboratory research are to;
- Identify and understand the genetic and molecular basis of human skin disorders including skin carcinogenesis, inflammation, and genodermatoses as well as new insights into skin biology.
- Identify, test, develop and deliver novel mechanism-based natural products and their synthetic scaffold entities for chemoprevention and chemotherapy of these skin diseases.
Few specific projects include:
- Novel biomarkers discovery and mechanistic studies for chronic inflammatory skin diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), melanoma, and non-melanoma [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] skin cancers.
- Investigating some of the natural dietary small molecules or "nutraceuticals" currently under intense investigation including cannabinoids, celastrol, curcumin, delphinidin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fisetin, resveratrol, vitamin D, as well as natural products such as Graviola (Annona muricata) and Garcinia Kola.
- Drug delivery using diverse formulations, nanotechnology, and nanomedicine delivery approach for identified promising target-directed therapeutics for use in chemoprevention and chemotherapy.
Our research program employs interdisciplinary research approaches that make use of regenerative medicine, molecular genetics, biochemical pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, structural molecular biology, and other cutting-edge molecular medicine technologies in conjunction with human skin bioengineering and preclinical murine models to elucidate fundamental questions in skin biology, dermatological sciences, delineate the molecular basis of skin diseases, and to develop novel treatments. Specific areas of focus include skin inflammation (psoriasis, dermatitis), cancer biology (melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers), and keratin genodermatoses. We are also actively involved in chemoprevention and therapeutics, with emphasis on translational research that explores the utility of natural product-derived extract leads, their bioactive phytochemicals, and their synthetic scaffolds while also establishing the molecular basis of dermatological diseases to seek solutions to health conditions and preventions that will improve these disease patients’ quality of life. Our published and current work establishes novel predictive biomarkers and develops novel two-dimensional (2D) and 3D-tissue bio-engineered cultures using patients and healthy donors-derived skin cells, to model normal and diverse human skin diseases including; psoriasis, dermatitis, melanoma, BCC, SCC, EBS, and EI.
Through collaboration with natural products scientists, medicinal and synthetic chemists, pharmaceutics, pharmacologists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical industry research partners, our research also employs and generates pre-clinical in-vivo murine disease models, as well as discovery and development of potent anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative compounds and extracts abundantly found in plants, pigmented fruits, and vegetables. The preclinical therapeutic proof-of-concept of promising bioactive dietary phytochemicals is validated for potential future interventions. We also work on the development of synthetic derivatives with enhanced bioavailability, efficacy, and stability. These collaborative programs seek to modulate and adopt cutting-edge technologies viz translational research geared towards delineating novel disease biomarkers, optimize and develop natural products and their derivatives for the management of skin diseases.
To date, some of the biomarkers discovery studies have elucidated the role of the central mTOR/Rho small GTPases, and other molecular targets in skin inflammatory conditions including skin cancers.
Recent Publications
Research Grants
Awards & Honors
March 2023 Best Graduate Student Poster Award.
June 2022 Excellence in Team Teaching Award: Therapeutics VII..
May 2022 2022 Future Leaders Retreat for URM PhD Student.
May 2022 2022 Future Leaders Retreat for PhD Student.
May 2022 Graduate Student Travel Award.
May 2022 URM Graduate Student Travel Award.
May 2021 Excellence in Team Teaching Award: Therapeutics VII..
February 2021 LBRN Best Graduate Research Podium Presentation Award (1st place)..
May 2020 Excellence in Team Teaching Award: Therapeutics VII..
March 2020 Louisiana Academy of Sciences Undergraduate Best Poster Award (1st place)..
March 2019 Louisiana Academy of Sciences Undergraduate Best Poster Award .
January 2019 LBRN Best Undergraduate Poster Award (3rd Place) .
May 2016 SID Podium Presentation Award.
May 2016 Junior Scientists Travel Award.
May 2016 Society for Investigative Dermatology Fellow Travel Award .
April 2016 American Skin Association Carson Research Scholar Award in Psoriasis .
May 2012 PhD-Resident Retreat Award.
May 2011 Pachyonychia Congenita Travel Award .
November 2005 Rene Tourain Foundation travel Award.
May 2005 Pre-doctoral Travel Award.
2004 Skin Biology and Keratin Diseases Scholarship.
June 2003 Mouaffo Gabriel Medical Foundation Scholarship.
March Best Undegraduate Student Poster Award.
Courses Taught
PHAR 5016STERILE PRODUCTS, 3 course(s)
PHRD 4008PHARMACEUTICS I, 5 course(s)
PHRD 4012PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I, 5 course(s)
PHRD 4027PRINCIPLES OF DRUG ACTION II, 6 course(s)
PHRD 4035PATHOPHYSIOLOGY II, 5 course(s)
PHRD 5037EYES, EARS, THROAT & DERM MOD, 2 course(s)
PHRD 5039THERAPEUTICS VII, 4 course(s)
PHRD 5064PROBLEMS, 2 course(s)