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Date: 19 Dec 2025 (Friday)
Time: 11am - 12:30pm (SGT) Format: Virtual (Zoom Meeting) Hosts: Ji Hyeon JU, Osaka University, Japan (KSSCR) Yo MABUCHI, Fujita Health University, Japan (JSRM) |
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Speakers' information
Yeri Alice RIM The Catholic University of Korea, Korea "Clinical-grade iPSC-derived chondrogenic micropellets for the treatment of advanced cartilage defects" |
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ABSTRACT
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived chondrogenic tissues represent a promising alternative for treating cartilage defects in chronic degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA). Cartilage tissue has limited self-repair capacity, and although allogeneic transplantation has potential, a less invasive delivery method could enhance the efficacy of cell-based therapies. The aim of this study was to develop iPSC-derived “minimal injectable unit” chondrogenic micropellets (MIUChons) for delivery via intra-articular injections for OA therapy. To create transplantable allogeneic cartilage tissue, we optimized good manufacturing practice or clinical-grade production of iPSC-derived injectable chondrogenic spheroids and tested them in OA animal models. MIUChons were delivered to damaged cartilage through a single injection. In vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrated that MIUChon treatment effectively reduced cartilage degeneration and deterioration. In addition, injecting MIUChons into the intra-articular cavity improved arthritis symptoms. Overall, MIUChons offer a strategy for treating cartilage deterioration via intra-articular injection in patients with OA.
BIO
Yeri Alice Rim is a stem cell researcher focused on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biology and its use in regenerative medicine. She studies patient-derived iPSC models to investigate musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration. Her work highlights differences in chondrogenic potential among iPSCs and develops disease-relevant models using iPSC-derived chondrocytes. Rim is affiliated with the Catholic University of Korea, advancing iPSC-based strategies for cartilage repair and degenerative joint diseases.
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived chondrogenic tissues represent a promising alternative for treating cartilage defects in chronic degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA). Cartilage tissue has limited self-repair capacity, and although allogeneic transplantation has potential, a less invasive delivery method could enhance the efficacy of cell-based therapies. The aim of this study was to develop iPSC-derived “minimal injectable unit” chondrogenic micropellets (MIUChons) for delivery via intra-articular injections for OA therapy. To create transplantable allogeneic cartilage tissue, we optimized good manufacturing practice or clinical-grade production of iPSC-derived injectable chondrogenic spheroids and tested them in OA animal models. MIUChons were delivered to damaged cartilage through a single injection. In vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrated that MIUChon treatment effectively reduced cartilage degeneration and deterioration. In addition, injecting MIUChons into the intra-articular cavity improved arthritis symptoms. Overall, MIUChons offer a strategy for treating cartilage deterioration via intra-articular injection in patients with OA.
BIO
Yeri Alice Rim is a stem cell researcher focused on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biology and its use in regenerative medicine. She studies patient-derived iPSC models to investigate musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration. Her work highlights differences in chondrogenic potential among iPSCs and develops disease-relevant models using iPSC-derived chondrocytes. Rim is affiliated with the Catholic University of Korea, advancing iPSC-based strategies for cartilage repair and degenerative joint diseases.
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Makoto IKEYA
CiRA, Kyoto University, Japan "iPSC-based knee cartilage regeneration" |
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ABSTRACT
The number of patients with osteoarthritis and other cartilage diseases is increasing worldwide, with the knee being the most commonly affected joint. Because cartilage does not regenerate, replacement is often required. Metal knee implants are effective but unsuitable for younger patients and athletes due to limited durability, restrictions on activity, and risks such as biofilm-associated infection. To address this issue, we used iMSCs derived from iPS cells via neural crest cells to fabricate 3D cartilage-like tissue composed entirely of cells using a KENZAN-type bio 3D printer. After in vitro maturation, the tissue achieved compressive strength comparable to human cartilage. Transplantation into a porcine knee defect model resulted in successful regeneration of articular cartilage, representing the first case in which cartilage was regenerated while preserving the curved anatomical structure. In this talk, I will present our recent scientific progress and discuss future clinical applications.
BIO
Makoto Ikeya, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, leading research on disease modeling and regenerative medicine using iPS cell–derived neural crest cells and their derivatives. He received his Ph.D. from Kyoto University in 2001 for identifying Wnt signaling as a key regulator of neural crest development. He later worked at RIKEN, uncovering BMP signaling in skeletal and kidney development. Since joining CiRA in 2011, his group established robust methods to derive mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and chondrocytes from human iPS cells via neural crest cells, contributing to bone and cartilage regeneration. Dr. Ikeya also co-founded Arktus Inc. with Professor Koichi Nakayama of Saga University, advancing knee cartilage regeneration. His honors include the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) Award and the Commendation for Science and Technology from the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
The number of patients with osteoarthritis and other cartilage diseases is increasing worldwide, with the knee being the most commonly affected joint. Because cartilage does not regenerate, replacement is often required. Metal knee implants are effective but unsuitable for younger patients and athletes due to limited durability, restrictions on activity, and risks such as biofilm-associated infection. To address this issue, we used iMSCs derived from iPS cells via neural crest cells to fabricate 3D cartilage-like tissue composed entirely of cells using a KENZAN-type bio 3D printer. After in vitro maturation, the tissue achieved compressive strength comparable to human cartilage. Transplantation into a porcine knee defect model resulted in successful regeneration of articular cartilage, representing the first case in which cartilage was regenerated while preserving the curved anatomical structure. In this talk, I will present our recent scientific progress and discuss future clinical applications.
BIO
Makoto Ikeya, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, leading research on disease modeling and regenerative medicine using iPS cell–derived neural crest cells and their derivatives. He received his Ph.D. from Kyoto University in 2001 for identifying Wnt signaling as a key regulator of neural crest development. He later worked at RIKEN, uncovering BMP signaling in skeletal and kidney development. Since joining CiRA in 2011, his group established robust methods to derive mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and chondrocytes from human iPS cells via neural crest cells, contributing to bone and cartilage regeneration. Dr. Ikeya also co-founded Arktus Inc. with Professor Koichi Nakayama of Saga University, advancing knee cartilage regeneration. His honors include the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) Award and the Commendation for Science and Technology from the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).