Yonsei University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Nuri Yun's research lab specializes in nanomedicine and cellular therapeutics, with a primary focus on extracellular vesicles (EVs) as natural delivery vehicles for treating cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab investigates the engineering of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and exosomes to enhance targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules such as siRNA, miRNA, and proteins, particularly in myocarditis and myocardial infarction. A key direction involves modifying EV surface proteins—such as cardiac-targeting peptides and LAMP2b—to improve tissue specificity and reduce off-target effects. Additionally, the lab explores the role of cell signaling pathways, including Cdk5/Fbxw7 in neurodegeneration, to identify novel therapeutic targets.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are nanometer-sized membranous vesicles secreted by cells, with important roles in physiological and pathological processes. Recent research has established the application of sEVs as therapeutic vehicles in various conditions, including heart disease. However, the high risk of off-target effects is a major barrier for their introduction into the clinic. This study evaluated the use of modified sEVs expressing high levels of cardiac-targeting peptide (CTP) for
Exosomes might have an unimproved potential to serve as effective delivery vehicles. However, when exosomes are developed for therapeutic applications, a method to enhance their delivery is important. This study aimed to evaluate wheather calcium chloride (CaCl2) or other chloride compounds could enhance exosome delivery to various cells without causing toxicity. Exosomes were purified from human serum by using the ExoQuick exosome precipitation kit. Isolated exosomes were mixed with CaCl2 at co
Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates brain development and neurodegeneration. Cdk5 is activated by p25 that is generated from calpain-dependent cleavage of p35. The generation of p25 is responsible for the aberrant hyper-activation of Cdk5, which causes neurodegeneration. Using in vitro assays, we discovered that F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (Fbxw7) is a new substrate of Cdk5. Additionally, Cdk5-dependent phosphorylation of Fbxw7 was detect
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as natural membranous vesicles are on the frontiers of nanomedical research, due to their ability to deliver therapeutic molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs). The miRNA-21 (miR-21) is thought to be involved in the initiation and development of myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we examined whether miR-21 regulation using human peripheral blood-derived sEVs (PB-sEVs) could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for MI. First, we examined miR-21 levels in hypo
Activated caspases play a central role in the execution of apoptosis by cleaving endogenous substrates. Here, we developed a high throughput screening method to identify novel substrates for caspase-3 in a neuronal cell line. Critical steps in our strategy consist of two-dimensional electrophoresis-based protein separation and in vitro caspase-3 incubation of immobilized proteins to sort out direct substrates. Among 46 putative substrates identified in MN9D neuronal cells, we further evaluated w
The latest therapeutic agent for diabetes is characterized by a longer lasting blood glucose control effect than existing treatments and stable blood glucose control. In addition, it has the advantage of being able to manage not only diabetes, but also comorbidities by considering the characteristics of each patient, such as comorbidities (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, etc.). In this chapter, new antidiabetic drugs will be introduced based on the latest clinical
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