About

Professor Eun Ji Chung leads the Chung Laboratory, which focuses on biomaterials and nanomedicine research. Her group's work centers on drug delivery, gene therapy, nanomedicine, and biomaterials to develop strategies that address the limitations of current clinical solutions. A significant emphasis of their research is on rare and genetic diseases. The laboratory is particularly interested in designing biomimetic nanoparticles capable of crossing biological barriers to deliver molecular signals that can report on or influence the behavior of diseased tissue. Additionally, the group combines bioactive scaffolds with novel stem cell sources to advance complex regenerative engineering of hierarchically-ordered tissues and organs. The research conducted under Professor Chung's guidance is highly interdisciplinary, positioned at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine, and involves collaboration with various partners to translate these materials toward clinical applications.

Research topics

• Biology
• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials science
• Immunology
• Cancer research
• Pharmacology
• Cell biology
• Biomedical engineering
• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology

Selected publications

• Genetically engineering cells to produce therapeutically boosted extracellular vesicles for cardiovascular calcification

  Biomaterials · 2025-07-15 · 5 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Endothelial-targeting miR-145 micelles restore barrier function and exhibit atheroprotective effects

  Nanoscale Horizons · 2025-01-01 · 4 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  therapeutic effects of miR-145 micelles in modulating the endothelium during atherosclerosis are evaluated. To that end, the MCP-1 peptide density on the micelle surface was first optimized for activated endothelial cell binding, followed by loading miR-145 into micelles with the optimal MCP-1 ratio. Following characterization, miR-145 micelle treatment of activated endothelial cells resulted in efficient miR-145 transfection, upregulation of atheroprotective genes, and suppression of atherogenic genes. Furthermore, the treatment enhanced the integrity of endothelial tight junctions and reduced monocyte migration. This work establishes miR-145 micelles as an effective nanotherapeutic for restoring endothelial cell health in cardiovascular disease for the first time.

  PublisherDOI

• Harnessing Microneedles for Delivery and Preservation of Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

  ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering · 2025-06-27 · 3 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NK-EVs) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of their parent cells. EVs have been commonly delivered via intravenous (IV) administration, which can be invasive and is not ideal for chronic treatment. Another limitation of nanotherapy is its storage requirements, as EVs are commonly stored at -80 °C to preserve EV cargo and stability. In order to address these limitations, we explored dissolvable microneedles (MNs) as a promising alternative method for the administration of EVs. MNs have been used to deliver drugs, vaccines, and biomolecules, offering a convenient, noninvasive route of administration while preserving the therapeutic efficacy of EVs for extended periods, even at room temperature. Thus, we hypothesize that MN has the potential to sustain NK-EV stability and successfully deliver NK-EVs with minimal invasion. To test our hypothesis, we first developed an optimal MN formulation composed of hyaluronic acid and trehalose, both protein-protective materials that are biocompatible and biodegradable. After preparing MNs, we evaluated their stiffness, EV release profile, and ability to puncture pig skin. Additionally, the long-term storage stability of the EVs in MNs in inflammatory models in vitro and in vivo was evaluated. The MN successfully maintained EV efficacy even after storage after six months at room temperature, reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by about 70% in inflamed human fibroblast cells relative to nontreated groups. Furthermore, EV-loaded MN treatment reduced both pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNFα) and psoriasis markers (Ki67 and IL-17) expression in a psoriasis model of chronic inflammation by about 40% compared to nontreated groups. Herein, our MN demonstrates the potential for easy-to-administer NK-EV therapies with long-term storage capabilities that preserve the NK-EV's anti-inflammatory properties.

  PublisherDOI

• Bioengineering and nephrology converge to drive kidney-targeted therapies

  Nature Reviews Nephrology · 2025-11-26

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Therapeutic potential of urinary extracellular vesicles in delivering functional proteins and modulating gene expression for genetic kidney disease

  Biomaterials · 2025-03-28 · 4 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Developing Therapeutically Enhanced Extracellular Vesicles for Atherosclerosis Therapy

  Advanced Healthcare Materials · 2025-04-07 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition and the leading cause of death worldwide. While statin therapy is the clinical standard, many patients still experience acute cardiovascular events. To develop better therapies, the group previously delivered microRNA‐145 (miR‐145) via micellar nanoparticles to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to inhibit atherosclerosis. However, for chronic diseases requiring repeat dosing, synthetic nanoparticles have drawbacks such as immunogenic response and low delivery efficiency. To meet this challenge, therapeutically enhanced extracellular vesicles (EVs) are engineered as a biologically‐derived nanoparticle modality to mitigate atherosclerosis. A novel strategy is employed to load miR‐145 into EVs using ExoMotifs—short miRNA sequences that facilitate miR cargo loading. EVs are further functionalized with a monocyte chemoattractant 1 (MCP‐1) peptide, which binds to C‐C chemokine receptor 2 upregulated in pathogenic VSMCs. Mouse aortic smooth muscle cell MCP‐1‐miR‐145 EVs restored VSMC gene expression and function in vitro. Moreover, compared to miR‐145‐loaded synthetic nanoparticles, MCP‐1‐miR‐145 EVs exerted similar therapeutic effects but with 25,000x less miR‐145 cargo. Lastly, MCP‐1‐miR‐145 EVs inhibited plaque growth in mid‐stage ApoE −/− atherosclerotic mice at a miR‐145 dose 5000x less than synthetic nanoparticles. Collectively, it is demonstrated that genetic engineering of VSMCs with miR‐145 produces therapeutically boosted EVs that reduce atherosclerosis plaque burden.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Author response for "Endothelial-Targeting miR-145 Micelles Restore Barrier Function and Exhibit Atheroprotective Effects"

  2025-03-13

  peer-reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• T Cell-Targeting Nanotherapies for Atherosclerosis

  Bioconjugate Chemistry · 2025-02-20 · 5 citations

  reviewSenior authorCorresponding

  Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Specifically, atherosclerosis is a primary cause of acute cardiac events. However, current therapies mainly focus on lipid-lowering versus addressing the underlying inflammatory response that leads to its development and progression. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery offers a promising approach for targeting and regulating these inflammatory responses. In atherosclerotic lesions, inflammatory cascades result in increased T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 activity and reduced T regulatory activation. The regulation of T cell responses is critical in preventing the inflammatory imbalance in atherosclerosis, making them a key therapeutic target for nanotherapy to achieve precise atherosclerosis treatment. By functionalizing nanoparticles with targeting modalities, therapeutic agents can be delivered specifically to immune cells in atherosclerotic lesions. In this Review, we outline the role of T cells in atherosclerosis, examine current nanotherapeutic strategies for targeting T cells and modulating their differentiation, and provide perspectives for the development of nanoparticles specifically tailored to target T cells for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

  PublisherDOI

• Calcium carbonate-based biodegradable composites as an alternative material to industrial plastics

  MRS Communications · 2025-02-25 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Persistent pollution caused by conventional plastics poses significant risks to marine ecosystems and human health. Thus, there is a need for the development of biocompatible and biodegradable materials that mimic the properties of plastics that are also safe for environmental and public health. To address this, we engineered a plastic substitute by integrating calcium carbonate (CC), an abundant mineral naturally found in seashells, into poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate) (POC), a synthetic biodegradable elastomer already used as the binder of FDA-approved orthopedic fixation devices containing calcium minerals. We hypothesized that POC-CC is a biocompatible plastic substitute that can degrade in marine environments while maintaining sufficient strength for industrial applications. To test this, POC-CC was synthesized with varying CC concentrations (0, 15, 30 wt%). Weight degradation rate in ocean water, pH of ocean water after long-term incubation, elastic modulus, and the morphology of POC-CC using SEM was evaluated over 6 months. Our results show the degradation rate increases with increased POC content, and the addition of CC maintains the pH of ocean water. Additionally, to evaluate biocompatibility, Scenedesmus sp. algae was incubated with the POC-CC supernatant after incubation with simulated ocean water for six months. High cell viability was found, confirming the biocompatibility of POC-CC with marine microorganisms. Lastly, a model can holder was made with POC-CC to demonstrate its proof-of-concept as an alternative plastic material. In sum, we demonstrate POC-CC as a new material and the feasibility of its use as a biodegradable plastic alternative. Graphical abstract

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• MRI Detection of Lymph Node Metastasis through Molecular Targeting of C–C Chemokine Receptor Type 2 and Monocyte Hitchhiking

  ACS Nano · 2024-01-11 · 15 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Biopsy is the clinical standard for diagnosing lymph node (LN) metastasis, but it is invasive and poses significant risk to patient health. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been utilized as a noninvasive alternative but is limited by low sensitivity, with only ∼35% of LN metastases detected, as clinical contrast agents cannot discriminate between healthy and metastatic LNs due to nonspecific accumulation. Nanoparticles targeted to the C–C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), a biomarker highly expressed in metastatic LNs, have the potential to guide the delivery of contrast agents, improving the sensitivity of MRI. Additionally, cancer cells in metastatic LNs produce monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP1), which binds to CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes and stimulates their migration. Thus, the molecular targeting of CCR2 may enable nanoparticle hitchhiking onto monocytes, providing an additional mechanism for metastatic LN targeting and early detection. Hence, we developed micelles incorporating gadolinium (Gd) and peptides derived from the CCR2-binding motif of MCP1 (MCP1-Gd) and evaluated the potential of MCP1-Gd to detect LN metastasis. When incubated with migrating monocytes in vitro, MCP1-Gd transport across lymphatic endothelium increased 2-fold relative to nontargeting controls. After administration into mouse models with initial LN metastasis and recurrent LN metastasis, MCP1-Gd detected metastatic LNs by increasing MRI signal by 30–50% relative to healthy LNs. Furthermore, LN targeting was dependent on monocyte hitchhiking, as monocyte depletion decreased accumulation by >70%. Herein, we present a nanoparticle contrast agent for MRI detection of LN metastasis mediated by CCR2-targeting and demonstrate the potential of monocyte hitchhiking for enhanced nanoparticle delivery.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• A Revolutionary Approach for Polycystic Kidney Disease: Oral Nanotherapeutics

  NIH · $2.4M · 2018–2023

• NIH Grant K99HL124279

  NIH · $180k · 2017

• EAGER-Harnessing natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles as anti-viral nanomaterials

  NSF · $145k · 2021–2023

• Multimodal Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Atherosclerosis

  NIH · $747k · 2015–2021

Frequent coauthors

• Matthew Tirrell

  Argonne National Laboratory

  27 shared

• Deborah D. Chin

  University of Southern California

  23 shared

• Christopher Poon

  University of Southern California

  20 shared

• Jonathan Wang

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  19 shared

• Noah Trac

  University of Southern California

  19 shared

• Jonathan Wang

  University of Southern California

  12 shared

• Gregory A. Magee

  Keck Hospital of USC

  12 shared

• Jacqueline J. Masehi-Lano

  Columbia University

  11 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering

  University of Southern California

  2007

• M.S., Biomedical Engineering

  University of Southern California

  2003

• B.S., Biomedical Engineering

  University of Southern California

  2001

Awards & honors

• NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence (2011)
• NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (DP2, 2018)
• USC faculty mentoring award for undergraduates (2018)
• Biomedical Engineering Society Fellow (2023)
• Materials Research Society Early Career Distinguished Presen…