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Woo-Jin Seo

Hanyang University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Woo-Jin Seo's research lab focuses on the genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The lab investigates the role of key genes such as *GRN*, *NEK1*, and *ANXA11* in disease pathogenesis, with a strong emphasis on microglial dysfunction, primary cilia biology, and protein aggregation pathologies like TDP-43 and amyloid-beta. Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), primary cell models, and advanced neuroimaging techniques, the lab aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders. Their work also includes translational studies on stem cell therapies, such as intrathecal mesenchymal stem cell treatment for ALS, evaluating long-term clinical outcomes and disease-modifying potential.

neurodegenerative diseasesfrontotemporal dementiaALSgenetic mechanismsstem cell therapy

Research Overview

Papers
40
Total Citations
109
Papers (5y)
32
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
32total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
96total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|24 citations·2024
Progranulin haploinsufficiency mediates cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregation with lysosomal abnormalities in human microglia
Wonjae Sung, Min‐Young Noh, Minyeop Nahm, Yong Sung Kim, Chang‐Seok Ki, Young-Eun Kim, Hee-Jin Kim, Seung Hyun Kim
SJR Q1Journal of NeuroinflammationOA

BACKGROUND: Progranulin (PGRN) haploinsufficiency due to progranulin gene (GRN) variants can cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with aberrant TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) accumulation. Despite microglial burden with TDP-43-related pathophysiology, direct microglial TDP-43 pathology has not been clarified yet, only emphasized in neuronal pathology. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate TDP-43 pathology in microglia of patients with PGRN haploinsufficiency. METHODS: To desig

NeurologyMedicine
2
Article|19 citations·2023
Long-term survival benefits of intrathecal autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Neuronata-R®: lenzumestrocel) treatment in ALS: Propensity-score-matched control, surveillance study
Jae‐Yong Nam, Sehwan Chun, Tae Yong Lee, Yunjeong Seo, Kwijoo Kim, Jinseok Park, Wonjae Sung, Ki‐Wook Oh, Sang-Gon Lee, Jin‐Sung Park, Juyeon Oh, Kyung Cheon Chung
SJR Q1Frontiers in Aging NeuroscienceOA

Objective: Neuronata-R® (lenzumestrocel) is an autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) product, which was conditionally approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KMFDS, Republic of Korea) in 2013 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the long-term survival benefits of treatment with intrathecal lenzumestrocel. Methods: A total of 157 participants who received lenzumestrocel and whose symptom du

NeurologyMedicine
3
Article|17 citations·2025
Mutations in NEK1 cause ciliary dysfunction as a novel pathogenic mechanism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Min‐Young Noh, Seong‐il Oh, Young-Eun Kim, Sun Hyung Joo, Wonjae Sung, Ki‐Wook Oh, Yurim Park, Ji Young Mun, Chang‐Seok Ki, Minyeop Nahm, Seung Hyun Kim
SJR Q1Molecular NeurodegenerationOA

Abstract Background Neuronal primary cilia, vital for signaling and cell-cycle regulation, have been implicated in maintaining neuronal identity. While a link between primary ciliary defects and neurodegenerative diseases is emerging, the precise pathological mechanisms remain unclear. Methods We studied the genetic contribution of NEK1 to ALS pathogenesis by analyzing the exome sequences of 920 Korean patients with ALS. To understand the disease contribution of NEK1 variants in ALS, we performe

GeneticsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
letter|13 citations·2022
Clinical and genetic characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with ANXA11 variants
Wonjae Sung, Minyeop Nahm, Su Min Lim, Min‐Young Noh, Sang-Gon Lee, Sung-Min Hwang, Yong Ho Kim, Jinseok Park, Ki‐Wook Oh, Chang‐Seok Ki, Young-Eun Kim, Seung Hyun Kim
SJR Q1Brain CommunicationsOA

Abstract Increasing genetic evidence supports the hypothesis that variants in the annexin A11 gene (ANXA11) contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis. Therefore, we studied the clinical aspects of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients carrying ANXA11 variants. We also implemented functional experiments to verify the pathogenicity of the hotspot variants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal dementia. Korean patients diagnosed with amyotrophic later

NeurologyMedicine
5
Article|7 citations·2021
Amyloid Burden in Alzheimer's Disease Patients Is Associated with Alterations in Circadian Rhythm
Ju-Bin Kang, Hyung Jin Choi, Gary D. Isaacs, Wonjae Sung, Han Jo Kim
Dementia and Neurocognitive DisordersOA

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study we evaluated the relationship between amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and 3 aspects of sleep quality in a group of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. METHODS: We used self-report questionnaires to assess the quality of sleep using 3 previously established surveys: the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). These questionnaires focused on the sleep ef

Experimental and Cognitive PsychologyPsychology
6
Article|5 citations·2024
Hypointense signal lesion on susceptibility-weighted imaging as a potential indicator of vertebral artery dissection in medullary infarction
Euihyun Sung, Wonjae Sung, Young‐Jun Lee, So Yeong Jeong, Soo Jeong, Ho Kim, Hyuk Sung Kwon, Seong-Ho Koh, Young Seo Kim
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is often associated with medullary infarction; however, an underlying cause may be underestimated. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of hypointense signal lesions along the arterial pathways using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) as a feasible indicator of VAD in medullary infarction. A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical data, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography records of 79 patients diagnosed with medullary

NeurologyMedicine
7
Article|4 citations·2021
Spectrum of nitrous oxide intoxication related neurological disorders in Korea: a case series and literature review
Jungsoo Lee, Yangmi Park, Hyunkee Kim, Nakhoon Kim, Wonjae Sung, Sang-Gon Lee, Jinseok Park
Annals of Clinical NeurophysiologyOA

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effects. However, neurological and psychiatric manifestations of N2O abuse have been increasingly reported among Korean adults. The aim of this study was to demonstrate laboratory findings of N2O abuse in Korean patients.Methods: Patients diagnosed with N2O-induced neuropathy or myelopathy from August 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. Their clinical presentations and laboratory and imaging findin

Psychiatry and Mental healthMedicine
8
Article|3 citations·2023
Gout and the Prevalence of Dementia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Wonjae Sung, Hyuk Sung Kwon, Yeonjae Park, Seung Hyun Kim, Sojeong Park, Dae Ryong Kang, Hojin Choi
SJR Q1Journal of Alzheimer s Disease

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia in patients with gout is associated with a low risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. However, the prevalence of dementia in patients with gout has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of dementia among patients diagnosed with gout by utilizing the Health Insurance and Review Assessment database, a nationwide registry of the South Korean population. METHODS: Data from the Health Insurance and Review Assessment database of patients

NephrologyMedicine
9
Article|3 citations·2024
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality and loss to follow-up among patients with dementia receiving anti-dementia medications
Hyuk Sung Kwon, Wonjae Sung, K. Park, Seung Hyun Kim, Seong‐Ho Koh, Jae‐Sung Lim, Hojin Choi
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted vulnerable groups, such as patients with dementia. We examined changes in mortality and loss to follow-up in patients with dementia using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service research database. Patients with dementia who visited a medical institution with a recorded dementia-related diagnostic code, including Alzheimer's disease, and who received anti-dementia medication between February 2018 and January 2

NeurologyMedicine
10
Article|2 citations·2023
An analysis of variants in TARDBP in the Korean population with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: comparison with previous data
Wonjae Sung, Jinah Kim, Yong Sung Kim, Jin-Seok Park, Ki‐Wook Oh, Jung‐Joon Sung, Chang‐Seok Ki, Young-Eun Kim, Seung Hyun Kim, Young-Eun Kim, Seung Hyun Kim
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

The TARDBP gene variant is a known major cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with limited reports of Korean patients with ALS harboring the variants in TARDBP. This large cohort study introduces four ALS patients who share the p.M337V variant of the TARDBP, allowing for an investigation of clinical characteristics and prognosis by analyzing previously reported cases with the same variant. From November 2014 to August 2022, participants were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Seou

NeurologyMedicine
11
Article|2 citations·2021
Hereditary Frontotemporal Dementia Linked to the Pathogenic p.L266V Variant of the MAPT Gene in Korea
Wonjae Sung, Young-Eun Kim, Seung Hyun Kim
SJR Q2Journal of Clinical NeurologyOA
NeurologyMedicine
12
Article|2 citations·2025
Early vascular aging ambulatory score in acute ischemic stroke
Nikolaos Kakaletsis, Vasilios Kotsis, Naohisa Hosomi, Tomohisa Nezu, Patrik Michel, Thevoz Guillaume, Davide Strambo, Young Seo Kim, Wonjae Sung, Konstantinos Vemmos, Eleni Korompoki, Maurizio Acampa
SJR Q1npj AgingOA

Understanding the impact of early vascular aging (EVA) on acute ischemic stroke (AIS) outcomes may provide new insights for improving prognostic assessments and developing targeted therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to validate the EVA ambulatory score (EVAAs) in AIS patients, assessing its association with stroke type, severity, and prognosis. Among the 2,730 AIS patients with a mean age of 72.0 ± 14.4 years, 83.4% exhibited EVA. EVA was identified as an independent predictor of poor outc

EpidemiologyMedicine
13
Article|2 citations·2025
Cognitive Impairment Screening Test in Korea as a Screening Tool for Dementia: The Correlation Study of Subtest Scores With Korean Version of the Mini Mental State Examination 2nd Edition
Minseong Kim, D. S. Heo, S.K. Kim, Yunjin Lee, Yong Sung Kim, Wonjae Sung, Han Jo Kim
Dementia and Neurocognitive DisordersOA

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that some subtests in the CIST-K align with corresponding scores on the K-MMSE-2. However, caution is advised when interpreting visuospatial and language test scores from the CIST-K. Further validity studies are necessary to enhance the sensitivity of each subtest.

Psychiatry and Mental healthMedicine
14
Article|1 citations·2024
Multilevel Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematomas in a Recreational Weight Lifter
Wonjae Sung
SJR Q2Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a nontraumatic condition that potentially compresses the spinal cord by accumulating blood in the epidural space. We report a case of multilevel SSEH in a 27-year-old male recreational weight lifter, presenting with acute lower back pain and bilateral leg weakness after deadlifts. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed subacute epidural hematomas with distinct signal intensities. The hematomas spanned multiple thoracic and lumbar levels wit

SurgeryMedicine
15
Article|1 citations·2022
Massive microbleeds in posterior circulation territory in an immunocompromised patient with sepsis
Wonjae Sung, Young Seo Kim, Hee-Jin Kim
SJR Q3Journal of Neurocritical CareOA
NeurologyMedicine

Research Areas

NeurologyPsychiatry and Mental healthCardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineEpidemiologyCellular and Molecular NeuroscienceGenetics

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