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Wonsuk Kim

Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Wonsuk Kim's research lab focuses on the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in skin regeneration, aging, and dermatological applications. The lab investigates the paracrine mechanisms underlying ADSC-mediated wound healing, antioxidant effects, and skin rejuvenation, with a particular emphasis on secretory factors that modulate fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Additional research explores the immunomodulatory and pigment-regulating effects of ADSCs, including their potential in treating skin hyperpigmentation and EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders. The lab also examines how microenvironmental cues such as hypoxia influence stem cell fate and function, particularly in osteogenic differentiation and tissue repair.

adipose-derived stem cellsskin regenerationparacrine signalingskin aginghypoxia

Research Overview

Papers
210
Total Citations
2,175
Papers (5y)
24
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
24total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
15total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Review|297 citations·2009
The wound-healing and antioxidant effects of adipose-derived stem cells
Won-Serk Kim, Byung-Soon Park, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy

Evidence of ADSC differentiation of skin has not been reported in vivo, but ADSCs accelerate wound-healing and exhibit antioxidant effects under various conditions. The wound-healing and antioxidant effects of ADSCs are mainly mediated by the activation of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes via the paracrine mechanism. Since ADSCs are easily obtained in large quantities and have an advantage over other stem cell sources, ADSCs and their secretory factors show promise for use in skin repair and

GeneticsMedicine
2
Article|279 citations·2008
Antiwrinkle effect of adipose-derived stem cell: Activation of dermal fibroblast by secretory factors
Won-Serk Kim, Byung-Soon Park, So-Hyun Park, Hyung-Ki Kim, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1Journal of Dermatological Science
DermatologyMedicine
3
Article|277 citations·2007
Evidence supporting antioxidant action of adipose-derived stem cells: Protection of human dermal fibroblasts from oxidative stress
Won-Serk Kim, Byung-Soon Park, Hyung-Ki Kim, Jeong‐Soo Park, Kea-Jeung Kim, Joon-Seok Choi, Suk-Jae Chung, Dae‐Duk Kim, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1Journal of Dermatological Science
GeneticsMedicine
4
Article|229 citations·2008
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Their Secretory Factors as a Promising Therapy for Skin Aging
Byung-Soon Park, Kyoung Ae Jang, Jong-Hyuk Sung, Jeong‐Soo Park, Yong Hyun Kwon, KEA JEONG KIM, Won-Serk Kim
SJR Q2Dermatologic Surgery

ADSCs and their secretory factors show promise for application in cosmetic dermatology, especially in the treatment of skin aging.

GeneticsMedicine
5
Review|172 citations·2009
Protective role of adipose-derived stem cells and their soluble factors in photoaging
Won-Serk Kim, Byung-Soon Park, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1Archives of Dermatological Research
GeneticsMedicine
6
Article|103 citations·2010
Low-Fluence Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser for Melasma with Pre- or Post-Treatment Triple Combination Cream
SE-YEONG JEONG, JAE-BIN SHIN, Un‐Cheol Yeo, Won-Serk Kim, Il Hwan Kim
SJR Q2Dermatologic Surgery

Laser treatment after topical TC cream was found to be safer and more effective than the post-treatment use of topical agents.

DermatologyMedicine
7
Article|102 citations·2008
Whitening Effect of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Critical Role of TGF-.BETA.1
Won-Serk Kim, So-Hyun Park, Se-Jin Ahn, Hyung-Ki Kim, Jeong‐Soo Park, Ga-Young Lee, Kea-Jeung Kim, Kyu‐Kwang Whang, Seung-Hee Kang, Byung-Soon Park, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q2Biological and Pharmaceutical BulletinOA

It has been demonstrated that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) secrete cytokines and exhibit diverse pharmacological actions. The present study examined the unknown pharmacological action of ADSCs regarding whitening effects. A conditioned medium of ADSCs (ADSC-CM) was harvested and the whitening effect of ADSC-CM was studied in melanoma B16 cells. ADSC-CM treatment inhibited the synthesis of melanin and the activity of tyrosinase in a dose dependent manner. To clarify the underlying mechanism

Cell BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8
Article|52 citations·2013
Wound-healing effect of ginsenoside Rd from leaves of Panax ginseng via cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase pathway
Wang-Kyun Kim, Seung Yong Song, Won Keun Oh, Sireewan Kaewsuwan, Tien Tran, Won-Serk Kim, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1European Journal of Pharmacology
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|42 citations·2008
The Spectrum of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disease in Korea: Incidence of Disease Entities by Age Groups
조은윤, Ki Hyun Kim, 김원석, 유건희, 구홍회, Young Hyeh Ko
http://kmbase.medric.or.kr/Main.aspx?d=KMBASE&m=VIEW&i=0191120080230020185

This study is to identify the spectrum of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) and relationships between these diseases in Korea. The EBV status and clinicopathology of 764 patients, including acute EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH), chronic active EBV (CAEBV) infections, B-LPD arising in chronic latent EBV infection, T & natural killer (NK) cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), B-NHLs, and Hodgkin’s lymphomas (HD), were analyzed. T or NK c

10
Article|40 citations·2016
Hypoxia Suppresses Spontaneous Mineralization and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells via IGFBP3 Up-Regulation
Ji Hong Kim, Sei Yoon, Sun U. Song, Sang Gyu Park, Won-Serk Kim, Insu Park, Jinu Lee, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Hypoxia has diverse stimulatory effects on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). In the present study, we investigated whether hypoxic culture conditions (2% O₂) suppress spontaneous mineralization and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs. We also investigated signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in this process. We found that hypoxia suppressed spontaneous mineralization and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs, and up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of Insulin-like growth

GeneticsMedicine
11
Article|39 citations·2014
Beneficial Effects of Early Treatment of Nevus of Ota With Low-Fluence 1,064-nm Q-Switched Nd
Hyun‐Min Seo, Chong-Won Choi, Won-Serk Kim
SJR Q2Dermatologic Surgery

This treatment was clinically effective and safe for early nevus of Ota using a low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

DermatologyMedicine
12
Article|36 citations·2010
Accelerated Wound Healing by <i>S</i>-Methylmethionine Sulfonium: Evidence of Dermal Fibroblast Activation via the ERK1/2 Pathway
Won-Serk Kim, You Jin Yang, Hyung Geun Min, Min Gyu Song, Ji-Seon Lee, Keung-Young Park, Jin‐Ju Kim, Jong-Hyuk Sung, Jun-Seok Choi, Hyuk‐Jin Cha
SJR Q2Pharmacology

S-Methylmethionine sulfonium (SMMS) is a derivative of the amino acid methionine, and is synthesized in a variety of plants. SMMS is widely referred to as vitamin U because of its potent therapeutic effect on gastrointestinal ulceration. Skin wounds are accompanied by mucosal erosion and share similar histopathological aspects with gastric ulcers, so it is plausible that SMMS may promote skin wound healing. In animal models, topical administration of SMMS for a given period of time, to both phys

RehabilitationMedicine
13
Review|30 citations·2014
An update on niche composition, signaling and functional regulation of the adipose-derived stem cells
Won-Serk Kim, Juhee Han, Sung‐Joo Hwang, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy

Fibroblast growth factor 2 is a self-renewal factor that can expand the lifespan of ASCs in long-term culture and platelet-derived growth factor-B/D has most potent mitogenic effects on short-term ASC expansion. Reactive oxygen species donors and stimulators of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B and MAPK pathways can be used to increase the production yield of ASCs. Additionally, hypoxia can increase the proliferation of ASCs and priming under hypoxic conditions enhances the regenera

GeneticsMedicine
14
Article|28 citations·2012
Relationships between Lymph Node Metastasis and Expression of CD31, D2-40, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors A and C in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Sang‐Hyuk Lee, Sung-Jin Lee, Sung Min Jin, No-Hee Lee, Dong Hoon Kim, Seung-Wan Chae, Jin Hee Sohn, Won-Serk Kim
SJR Q1Clinical and Experimental OtorhinolaryngologyOA

VEGF-C and D2-40 were more highly expressed in patients having PTC with LNM than in patients having PTC without LNM or in those having TNH. Analysis of VEGF-C level and LVD using D2-40 may be helpful in the diagnosis of PTC and the evaluation of LNM potential in patients with PTC.

OncologyMedicine
15
Article|27 citations·2019
HB-EGF Improves the Hair Regenerative Potential of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells via ROS Generation and Hck Phosphorylation
Nahyun Choi, Won-Serk Kim, Sang Ho Oh, Jong-Hyuk Sung
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Although adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have hair regenerative potential, their hair inductive capabilities are limited. The mitogenic and hair inductive effects of heparin binding-epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) on ASCs were investigated in this study and the underlying mechanism of stimulation was examined. Cell growth, migration, and self-renewal assays, as well as quantitative polymerase chain reactions and immunostaining, were carried out. Telogen-to-anagen transition

UrologyMedicine

Research Areas

GeneticsDermatologyUrologyCell BiologyMolecular BiologyRehabilitation

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