[Korea University Newspaper] Konkuk University Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho’s Team Develops Method to Isolate Ultra-High-Purity Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Just 15 Minutes

Successful Large-Scale Production of Ultra-High-Purity Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles with Outstanding Regenerative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

New Technology Paves the Way for Cost-Effective and Efficient Exosome-Based Therapeutics

[Korea University Newspaper, Reporter Jang Hye-seung] A promising new pathway has emerged for the development of exosome-based therapeutics.

Konkuk University announced on the 20th that a research team led by Prof. Ssang-Goo Cho of the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology at the KU Institute of Science and Technology, in collaboration with a team led by Prof. Tae-hyung Kim of Chosun University College of Medicine, has developed a technology capable of producing large quantities of ultra-high-purity stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles within 15 minutes.

Most cells secrete membrane-enclosed vesicles containing bioactive molecules such as miRNAs and proteins. These are collectively known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). Depending on their biogenesis and size, EVs may be classified as microvesicles or exosomes, and are regarded as important mediators of intercellular communication.

Because extracellular vesicles are known to retain many of the biological characteristics of their parent cells, stem cell-derived EVs are being actively studied as therapeutic agents with strong regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, several challenges must be overcome before they can be developed into viable therapeutics, including limited production yields, the need for rigorous preclinical and clinical studies, and sufficient scientific evidence to demonstrate safety.

Conventional methods for producing naturally secreted exosomes typically require cells to be cultured for more than 24 hours in media containing EV-depleted fetal bovine serum (EV-depleted FBS). During this process, various cellular waste products, proteins, cytokines, and animal-derived serum components can accumulate, making it difficult to isolate highly pure extracellular vesicles. In addition, prolonged induction periods expose parent cells to varying environmental conditions, increasing the likelihood of producing heterogeneous EV populations.

To address these limitations, the research team induced large-scale production of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles using a peptide containing a mitochondrial targeting domain (MTD) derived from the Noxa protein, along with a specific amino acid sequence.

Because the process takes place in a chemically defined buffer containing no animal-derived serum components, it enables the isolation of highly pure extracellular vesicles. Moreover, EV production is induced for less than 15 minutes, allowing the researchers to obtain a more homogeneous EV population.

The team also demonstrated the potential for large-scale exosome production by using the peptide treatment to transiently increase intracellular calcium concentrations, thereby activating calcium-mediated enzymes involved in extracellular vesicle release.

Prof. Cho said, “Using this new exosome production platform, we aim to establish a streamlined manufacturing process capable of producing large quantities of high-functionality, ultra-high-purity cell-derived extracellular vesicles. This will support the development of more cost-effective and efficient exosome-based therapeutics and exosome drug-delivery formulations.”

Prof. Kim said, “This ultra-high-purity extracellular vesicle mass-production platform can be applied to a variety of cell types. We expect it to enable the development of next-generation extracellular vesicle therapeutics for a wide range of applications, including refractory diseases, cancer therapies, and vaccines.”

The research findings were published in the internationally renowned Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (Impact Factor: 17.337) and were also featured by the Biological Research Information Center (BRIC) in its Korean Scientists Who Shine (Hanbitsa) section.

StemExOne and ExoCalibur, both actively engaged in the development of extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics, also participated in the research and are working to accelerate its commercialization.

Source: Korea University Newspaper (UNN)