Konkuk University Develops Novel Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Injury

Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho’s Team at Konkuk University Develops Cell-Free Therapy, Opening New Possibilities for Nerve Regeneration

From left: Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho, Ph.D. candidate Han-Cheol Yeo, researcher Yoo-Jung Kim, and Dr. Jae-Kwon Seok of Konkuk University. (Photo courtesy of Konkuk University) No redistribution or database use permitted.

(SEOUL=Newsis) Intern Reporter Jeon Soo-hyun — A research team led by Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho of Konkuk University, in collaboration with StemExOne Co., Ltd. and researchers from Seoul National University College of Medicine, has developed a novel stem cell-based therapeutic technology for peripheral nerve injury.

The study was published online on the 27th in Acta Neuropathologica Communications (Impact Factor 6.2), a leading international journal ranked within the top 10% in neuroscience.

The research team generated neural crest cells (NCCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients’ urinary cells and engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene.

When the NGF-loaded EVs were administered to a mouse model of peripheral nerve injury, neuronal survival at the injury site increased significantly. The treatment also suppressed inflammatory responses while promoting axonal growth and remyelination, demonstrating clear therapeutic effects.

The approach is particularly noteworthy because it achieved regenerative benefits without cell transplantation, thereby avoiding key risks associated with conventional stem cell therapies, such as tumor formation and immune rejection.

The engineered NGF-EVs suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the NF-κB signaling pathway, while activating the ERK/AKT pathways to promote neuroprotection and nerve regeneration. The treatment also alleviated skeletal muscle atrophy caused by nerve injury, suggesting potential applications in the treatment of associated muscle damage.

Overview of Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho’s research at Konkuk University. (Photo courtesy of Konkuk University) No redistribution or database use permitted.

Prof. Cho said, “This study demonstrates a new possibility for nerve regeneration therapy by delivering bioactive factors through stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles and achieving therapeutic effects without cell transplantation.”

He added, “We plan to expand this research through continued collaboration among academia, industry, and medical institutions, with the goal of applying the technology to refractory conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.”

Intern Reporter Jeon Soo-hyun (soooo@newsis.com)