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Sun Gun Chung

Seoul National University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Sun Gun Chung's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine, with a primary focus on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, particularly tendinopathies and adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. The lab investigates the mechanisms of MSC differentiation into tenogenic lineages, their paracrine signaling, and strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy through pre-conditioning techniques such as pioglitazone treatment. Using clinical and preclinical models, the lab aims to optimize stem cell delivery, improve cell retention, and clarify the functional outcomes of stem cell therapy in tendon and joint repair.

mesenchymal stem cellstendinopathyadhesive capsulitisstem cell therapytendon regeneration

Research Overview

Papers
158
Total Citations
2,532
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)
167total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Review|241 citations·2017
The relationships between low back pain and lumbar lordosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Se‐Woong Chun, Chai-Young Lim, Keewon Kim, Jinseub Hwang, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1The Spine Journal
SurgeryMedicine
2
Article|144 citations·2015
Treatment of Lateral Epicondylosis by Using Allogeneic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Pilot Study
Sang Yoon Lee, Won Kim, Chai-Young Lim, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1Stem CellsOA

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a novel regenerative approach for treating tendinopathy. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (allo-ASC) in treating lateral epicondylosis (LE). Under ultrasound guidance, allo-ASCs mixed with fibrin glue were injected into the hypoechoic common extensor tendon lesions of 12 participants with chronic LE; 6 subjects each were administered 10(6) or 10(7) cells in 1 ml. Safety was evaluated at day 3 and week

Orthopedics and Sports MedicineMedicine
4
Article|89 citations·2017
Therapeutic Mechanisms of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Rat Tendon Injury Model
Sang Yoon Lee, Bomi Kwon, Kyoungbun Lee, Young Hoon Son, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1The American Journal of Sports Medicine

BACKGROUND: Although survival of transplanted stem cells in vivo and differentiation of stem cells into tenocytes in vitro have been reported, there have been no in vivo studies demonstrating that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could secrete their own proteins as differentiated tenogenic cells. Purpose/Hypothesis: Using a xenogeneic MSC transplantation model, we aimed to investigate whether MSCs could differentiate into the tenogenic lineage and secrete their own proteins. The hypothesis was that

Orthopedics and Sports MedicineMedicine
5
Article|66 citations·2005
Aging-related neuromuscular changes characterized by tendon reflex system properties
Sun Gun Chung, E.M. van Rey, Zhiqiang Bai, Mark W. Rogers, Elliot J. Roth, Li‐Qun Zhang
SJR Q1Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
6
Article|62 citations·2008
Separate Quantification of Reflex and Nonreflex Components of Spastic Hypertonia in Chronic Hemiparesis
Sun Gun Chung, Elton van Rey, Zhiqiang Bai, William Z. Rymer, Elliot J. Roth, Li‐Qun Zhang
SJR Q1Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
NeurologyMedicine
7
Article|55 citations·2015
Relationships Between Capsular Stiffness and Clinical Features in Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder
Sang Yoon Lee, Kyu Jin Lee, Won Kim, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1PM&R

BACKGROUND: Tightening and contracture of the joint capsule are hallmarks of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS). However, quantification of capsular stiffness and its relation to clinical features have not been investigated thoroughly. OBJECTIVES: To quantify capsular stiffness during intra-articular hydraulic distension (IHD) and to investigate its relationships with pain severity, symptom duration, range of motion (ROM), gender, and diabetes status. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Univers

SurgeryMedicine
8
Article|50 citations·2022
A randomized controlled trial of stem cell injection for tendon tear
Se‐Woong Chun, Won Kim, Sang Yoon Lee, Chai-Young Lim, Keewon Kim, Jeong-Gil Kim, Chul‐Hyun Park, Sung Hwan Hong, Hye Jin Yoo, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Tendons have limited reparative ability and perform a relatively simple mechanical function via the extracellular matrix. Thus, the injured tendon might be treated successfully by stem cell transplantation. We performed a randomized, controlled study to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell injection for treating partial tears in the supraspinatus tendon. We enrolled 24 patients with shoulder pain lasting more than 3 months and partial tears in the supraspinatus tendon. Participants w

Orthopedics and Sports MedicineMedicine
9
Article|46 citations·2011
Capsule preservation improves short‐term outcome of hydraulic distension in painful stiff shoulder
Keewon Kim, Kyu Jin Lee, Hee Chan Kim, Kun‐Jai Lee, Don‐Kyu Kim, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1Journal of Orthopaedic Research®OA

The effect of intraarticular hydraulic distension (IHD) for a painful stiff shoulder (or adhesive capsulitis) has been affirmed, but whether rupturing the joint capsule during this process is beneficial remains controversial. By monitoring real-time pressure-volume (PV) profiles during IHD, we could infuse the largest possible volume without rupturing the capsule. Using the novel technique, we compared the short-term effects of IHD when the capsule was preserved versus when it was ruptured. Fift

SurgeryMedicine
10
Article|29 citations·2011
A case of symptomatic cervical perineural (Tarlov) cyst: clinical manifestation and management
Keewon Kim, Se Woong Chun, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q2Skeletal Radiology
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine
11
Article|27 citations·2011
Convulsion Caused by a Lidocaine Test in Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1PM&R
SurgeryMedicine
12
Article|26 citations·2019
Pioglitazone-Primed Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stimulate Cell Proliferation, Collagen Synthesis and Matrix Gene Expression in Tenocytes
Won Kim, Seul Ki Lee, Young-Won Kwon, Sun Gun Chung, Soo Kim
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Various therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported. However, the rapid clearance of these cells in vivo, difficulties in identifying their therapeutic mechanism of action, and insufficient production levels remain to be resolved. We investigated whether a pioglitazone pre-treatment of MSCs (Pio-MSCs) would stimulate the proliferation of co-cultured tenocytes. Pioglitazone increased the proliferation of MSCs and enhanced the secretion of VEGF (vascular endothelial gro

Orthopedics and Sports MedicineMedicine
13
Article|23 citations·2012
Changes in Biomechanical Properties of Glenohumeral Joint Capsules With Adhesive Capsulitis by Repeated Capsule‐Preserving Hydraulic Distensions With Saline Solution and Corticosteroid
Eun Sil Koh, Sun Gun Chung, Tae Uk Kim, Hee Chan Kim
SJR Q1PM&R

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether capsule-preserving hydraulic distension with saline solution and corticosteroid for adhesive capsulitis induces biomechanical alterations in glenohumeral joint capsules along with clinical improvements. DESIGN: A case series. SETTING: University outpatient clinic of physical medicine and rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients with unilateral adhesive capsulitis. INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Three hydraulic distensions with saline solution

SurgeryMedicine
14
Article|22 citations·2009
Intra‐articular Pressure Profiles of Painful Stiff Shoulders Compared With Those of Other Conditions
Sun Gun Chung, Kyu Jin Lee, Hee Chan Kim, Kwan Sik Seo, Yong‐Taek Lee
SJR Q1PM&R

OBJECTIVE: To test two questions raised by a previous study: whether high and steeply rising intra-articular (IA) pressure achieved by controlled fluid infusion would be specific to the painful stiff shoulder (PSS) and whether rupture occurs immediately after the appearance of the third phase so that it could be considered as a preruptural sign. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University Outpatient Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen PSS patients who had limited

SurgeryMedicine
15
Article|20 citations·2008
Real‐time pressure monitoring of intraarticular hydraulic distension for painful stiff shoulders
Kyu Jin Lee, Hee Dae Lee, Sun Gun Chung
SJR Q1Journal of Orthopaedic Research®OA

Intraarticular hydraulic distension (IHD) has been utilized to treat painful stiff shoulders by distending and then rupturing the joint capsules. However, no attempts have been made to optimize the capsule distension, which might give a better clinical outcome. To set up a prerequisite technique for a maximal distension without rupturing the capsule, real-time pressure monitoring of IHD procedures was performed in 16 patients, which revealed triphasic pressure-volume profiles in 10 patients and

SurgeryMedicine

Research Areas

SurgeryNeurologyOrthopedics and Sports MedicinePharmacologyPathology and Forensic MedicineRehabilitation

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