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Lu J, Wang M, Meng Y, An W, Wang X, Sun G, Wang H, Liu W. Current advances in biomaterials for inner ear cell regeneration. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1334162. [PMID: 38282621 PMCID: PMC10811200 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1334162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Inner ear cell regeneration from stem/progenitor cells provides potential therapeutic strategies for the restoration of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), however, the efficiency of regeneration is low and the functions of differentiated cells are not yet mature. Biomaterials have been used in inner ear cell regeneration to construct a more physiologically relevant 3D culture system which mimics the stem cell microenvironment and facilitates cellular interactions. Currently, these biomaterials include hydrogel, conductive materials, magneto-responsive materials, photo-responsive materials, etc. We analyzed the characteristics and described the advantages and limitations of these materials. Furthermore, we reviewed the mechanisms by which biomaterials with different physicochemical properties act on the inner ear cell regeneration and depicted the current status of the material selection based on their characteristics to achieve the reconstruction of the auditory circuits. The application of biomaterials in inner ear cell regeneration offers promising opportunities for the reconstruction of the auditory circuits and the restoration of hearing, yet biomaterials should be strategically explored and combined according to the obstacles to be solved in the inner ear cell regeneration research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junze Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Weibin An
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Gaoying Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinan, China
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Qian S, Lin HA, Pan Q, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Geng Z, Wu Q, He Y, Zhu B. Chemically revised conducting polymers with inflammation resistance for intimate bioelectronic electrocoupling. Bioact Mater 2023; 26:24-51. [PMID: 36875055 PMCID: PMC9975642 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Conducting polymers offer attractive mixed ionic-electronic conductivity, tunable interfacial barrier with metal, tissue matchable softness, and versatile chemical functionalization, making them robust to bridge the gap between brain tissue and electronic circuits. This review focuses on chemically revised conducting polymers, combined with their superior and controllable electrochemical performance, to fabricate long-term bioelectronic implants, addressing chronic immune responses, weak neuron attraction, and long-term electrocommunication instability challenges. Moreover, the promising progress of zwitterionic conducting polymers in bioelectronic implants (≥4 weeks stable implantation) is highlighted, followed by a comment on their current evolution toward selective neural coupling and reimplantable function. Finally, a critical forward look at the future of zwitterionic conducting polymers for in vivo bioelectronic devices is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihao Qian
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.,School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Hsing-An Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qichao Pan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Shuhua Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yunhua Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Zhi Geng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Qing Wu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yong He
- Innovation Center for Textile Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
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Ahnood A, Chambers A, Gelmi A, Yong KT, Kavehei O. Semiconducting electrodes for neural interfacing: a review. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:1491-1518. [PMID: 36734845 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00830k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In the past 50 years, the advent of electronic technology to directly interface with neural tissue has transformed the fields of medicine and biology. Devices that restore or even replace impaired bodily functions, such as deep brain stimulators and cochlear implants, have ushered in a new treatment era for previously intractable conditions. Meanwhile, electrodes for recording and stimulating neural activity have allowed researchers to unravel the vast complexities of the human nervous system. Recent advances in semiconducting materials have allowed effective interfaces between electrodes and neuronal tissue through novel devices and structures. Often these are unattainable using conventional metallic electrodes. These have translated into advances in research and treatment. The development of semiconducting materials opens new avenues in neural interfacing. This review considers this emerging class of electrodes and how it can facilitate electrical, optical, and chemical sensing and modulation with high spatial and temporal precision. Semiconducting electrodes have advanced electrically based neural interfacing technologies owing to their unique electrochemical and photo-electrochemical attributes. Key operation modalities, namely sensing and stimulation in electrical, biochemical, and optical domains, are discussed, highlighting their contrast to metallic electrodes from the application and characterization perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman Ahnood
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Andre Chambers
- School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Amy Gelmi
- School of Science, RMIT University, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Omid Kavehei
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,The University of Sydney Nano Institute, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Bridging the electrode-neuron gap: finite element modeling of in vitro neurotrophin gradients to optimize neuroelectronic interfaces in the inner ear. Acta Biomater 2022; 151:360-378. [PMID: 36007779 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although cochlear implant (CI) technology has allowed for the partial restoration of hearing over the last few decades, persistent challenges (e.g., poor performance in noisy environments and limited ability to decode intonation and music) remain. The "electrode-neuron gap" is inherent to these challenges and poses the most significant obstacle to advancing past the current plateau in CI performance. We propose the development of a "neuro-regenerative nexus"-a biological interface that doubly preserves native spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) while precisely directing the growth of neurites arising from transplanted human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived otic neuronal progenitors (ONPs) toward the native SGN population. We hypothesized that the Polyhedrin Delivery System (PODS®-recombinant human brain-derived neurotrophic factor [rhBDNF]) could stably provide the adequate BDNF concentration gradient to hPSC-derived late-stage ONPs to facilitate otic neuronal differentiation and directional neurite outgrowth. To test this hypothesis, a finite element model (FEM) was constructed to simulate BDNF concentration profiles generated by PODS®-rhBDNF based on initial concentration and culture device geometry. For biological validation of the FEM, cell culture experiments assessing survival, differentiation, neurite growth direction, and synaptic connections were conducted using a multi-chamber microfluidic device. We were able to successfully generate the optimal BDNF concentration gradient to enable survival, neuronal differentiation toward SGNs, directed neurite extension of hPSC-derived SGNs, and synaptogenesis between two hPSC-derived SGN populations. This proof-of-concept study provides a step toward the next generation of CI technology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Our study demonstrates that the generation of in vitro neurotrophin concentration gradients facilitates survival, neuronal differentiation toward auditory neurons, and directed neurite extension of human pluripotent stem cell-derived auditory neurons. These findings are indispensable to designing a bioactive cochlear implant, in which stem cell-derived neurons are integrated into a cochlear implant electrode strip, as the strategy will confer directional neurite growth from the transplanted cells in the inner ear. This study is the first to present the concept of a "neuro-regenerative nexus" congruent with a bioactive cochlear implant to eliminate the electrode-neuron gapthe most significant barrier to next-generation cochlear implant technology.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION More than 5% of the world's population have a disabling hearing loss which can be managed by hearing aids or implanted electrical devices. However, outcomes are highly variable, and the sound perceived by recipients is far from perfect. Sparked by the discovery of progenitor cells in the cochlea and rapid progress in drug delivery to the cochlea, biological and pharmaceutical therapies are currently in development to improve the function of the cochlear implant or eliminate the need for it altogether. AREAS COVERED This review highlights progress in emerging regenerative strategies to restore hearing and adjunct therapies to augment the cochlear implant. Novel approaches include the reprogramming of progenitor cells to restore the sensory hair cell population in the cochlea, gene therapy and gene editing to treat hereditary and acquired hearing loss. A detailed review of optogenetics is also presented as a technique that could enable optical stimulation of the spiral ganglion neurons, replacing or complementing electrical stimulation. EXPERT OPINION Increasing evidence of substantial reversal of hearing loss in animal models, alongside rapid advances in delivery strategies to the cochlea and learnings from clinical trials will amalgamate into a biological or pharmaceutical therapy to replace or complement the cochlear implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Ajay
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Department of Engineering
| | | | - Rachael Richardson
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Medical Bionics Department, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Schwieger J, Frisch AS, Rau TS, Lenarz T, Hügl S, Scheper V. 3D Printed Cell Culture Chamber for Testing the Effect of Pump-Based Chronic Drug Delivery on Inner Ear Tissue. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12040589. [PMID: 35454178 PMCID: PMC9032916 DOI: 10.3390/biom12040589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear hair cell damage and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) degeneration are the main causes of sensory neural hearing loss. Cochlear implants (CIs) can replace the function of the hair cells and stimulate the SGNs electrically. The condition of the SGNs and their spatial distance to the CI are key factors for CI-functionality. For a better performance, a high number of neurons and a closer contact to the electrode are intended. Neurotrophic factors are able to enhance SGN survival and neurite outgrowth, and thereby might optimize the electrode-nerve interaction. This would require chronic factor treatment, which is not yet established for the inner ear. Investigations on chronic drug delivery to SGNs could benefit from an appropriate in vitro model. Thus, an inner ear inspired Neurite Outgrowth Chamber (NOC), which allows the incorporation of a mini-osmotic pump for long-term drug delivery, was designed and three-dimensionally printed. The NOC’s function was validated using spiral ganglion explants treated with ciliary neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, or control fluid released via pumps over two weeks. The NOC proved to be suitable for explant cultivation and observation of pump-based drug delivery over the examined period, with neurotrophin-3 significantly increasing neurite outgrowth compared to the other groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schwieger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” EXC 1077/2, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-5115327262
| | - Anna Sophie Frisch
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas S. Rau
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” EXC 1077/2, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” EXC 1077/2, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Silke Hügl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” EXC 1077/2, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Scheper
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (A.S.F.); (T.S.R.); (T.L.); (S.H.); (V.S.)
- Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Stadtfelddamm 34, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all” EXC 1077/2, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Wille I, Harre J, Oehmichen S, Lindemann M, Menzel H, Ehlert N, Lenarz T, Warnecke A, Behrens P. Development of Neuronal Guidance Fibers for Stimulating Electrodes: Basic Construction and Delivery of a Growth Factor. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:776890. [PMID: 35141211 PMCID: PMC8819688 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.776890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
State-of-the-art treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is based on electrical stimulation of residual spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) with cochlear implants (CIs). Due to the anatomical gap between the electrode contacts of the CI and the residual afferent fibers of the SGNs, spatial spreading of the stimulation signal hampers focused neuronal stimulation. Also, the efficiency of a CI is limited because SGNs degenerate over time due to loss of trophic support. A promising option to close the anatomical gap is to install fibers as artificial nerve guidance structures on the surface of the implant and install on these fibers drug delivery systems releasing neuroprotective agents. Here, we describe the first steps in this direction. In the present study, suture yarns made of biodegradable polymers (polyglycolide/poly-ε-caprolactone) serve as the basic fiber material. In addition to the unmodified fiber, also fibers modified with amine groups were employed. Cell culture investigations with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts attested good cytocompatibility to both types of fibers. The fibers were then coated with the extracellular matrix component heparan sulfate (HS) as a biomimetic of the extracellular matrix. HS is known to bind, stabilize, modulate, and sustainably release growth factors. Here, we loaded the HS-carrying fibers with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is known to act neuroprotectively. Release of this neurotrophic factor from the fibers was followed over a period of 110 days. Cell culture investigations with spiral ganglion cells, using the supernatants from the release studies, showed that the BDNF delivered from the fibers drastically increased the survival rate of SGNs in vitro. Thus, biodegradable polymer fibers with attached HS and loaded with BDNF are suitable for the protection and support of SGNs. Moreover, they present a promising base material for the further development towards a future neuronal guiding scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Wille
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Inga Wille, ; Peter Behrens,
| | - Jennifer Harre
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sarah Oehmichen
- Institut für Technische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maren Lindemann
- Institut für Technische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Henning Menzel
- Institut für Technische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Nina Ehlert
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Behrens
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence PhoenixD, Hannover, Germany
- *Correspondence: Inga Wille, ; Peter Behrens,
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Zhang L, Chen S, Sun Y. Mechanism and Prevention of Spiral Ganglion Neuron Degeneration in the Cochlea. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:814891. [PMID: 35069120 PMCID: PMC8766678 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.814891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is one of the most prevalent sensory deficits in humans, and approximately 360 million people worldwide are affected. The current treatment option for severe to profound hearing loss is cochlear implantation (CI), but its treatment efficacy is related to the survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). SGNs are the primary sensory neurons, transmitting complex acoustic information from hair cells to second-order sensory neurons in the cochlear nucleus. In mammals, SGNs have very limited regeneration ability, and SGN loss causes irreversible hearing loss. In most cases of SNHL, SGN damage is the dominant pathogenesis, and it could be caused by noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, hereditary defects, presbycusis, etc. Tremendous efforts have been made to identify novel treatments to prevent or reverse the damage to SGNs, including gene therapy and stem cell therapy. This review summarizes the major causes and the corresponding mechanisms of SGN loss and the current protection strategies, especially gene therapy and stem cell therapy, to promote the development of new therapeutic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sen Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Sun,
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Yakhkeshi R, Roshani F, Akhoundzadeh K, Shafia S. Effect of treadmill exercise on serum corticosterone, serum and hippocampal BDNF, hippocampal apoptosis and anxiety behavior in an ovariectomized rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physiol Behav 2022; 243:113629. [PMID: 34743976 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a sex difference in vulnerability to PTSD and in response to therapeutic interventions. Since relation between gonadal hormones and PTSD has been revealed, this study aimed to understand the severity of PTSD-induced impairments after ovarian hormone deficiency and the influence of exercise on PTSD accompanied by ovarian hormone deficiency. Female adult Wistar rats were subjected to ovariectomy, PTSD, or combination ovariectomy plus PTSD. Twenty days after ovariectomy, PTSD was induced by single prolonged stress (SPS) model. The exercise started 14 days after SPS and continued for 4 weeks. Thirty minutes moderate treadmill exercise was planned for 5 days per week. On day 65, after assessing rats using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, corticosterone, BDNF, and apoptotic markers were tested. p < 0.05 was considered as significant level. The results showed that ovariectomy worsened the effect of SPS on hippocampal BDNF and led to greater increase in serum corticosterone and hippocampal caspase 3 and BAX in SPS rats. Also, ovariectomy exacerbated anxiety-like behavior in SPS rats. Exercise improved the alterations of hippocampal BDNF, corticosterone, caspase 3, and BAX in SPS ovariectomized rats. However, exercise had no statistically significant effect on anxiety-like behavior in this group. According to the results, exercise is effective to attenuate SPS-induced impairments in molecular and cellular responses even when the condition becomes more complicated due to ovarian hormone deficiency. However, exercise alone cannot help to improve behavior impairments in PTSD combined with an ovarian hormone deficiency. Therefore, exercise could likely be considered as a complementary intervention to strengthen other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Yakhkeshi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Roshani
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Kobra Akhoundzadeh
- PhD of physiology, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
| | - Sakineh Shafia
- PhD of physiology, Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center and Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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10
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Kempfle JS. Endoscopic-Assisted Drug Delivery for Inner Ear Regeneration. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2021; 54:189-200. [PMID: 33243375 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by irreversible loss of auditory hair cells and/or neurons and is increasing in prevalence. Hair cells and neurons do not regenerate after damage, but novel regeneration therapies based on small molecule drugs, gene therapy, and cell replacement strategies offer promising therapeutic options. Endogenous and exogenous regeneration techniques are discussed in context of their feasibility for hair cell and neuron regeneration. Gene therapy and treatment of synaptopathy represent promising future therapies. Minimally invasive endoscopic ear surgery offers a viable approach to aid in delivery of pharmacologic compounds, cells, or viral vectors to the inner ear for all of these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith S Kempfle
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, C360, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Radeloff A, Nada N, El Mahallawi T, Kolkaila E, Vollmer M, Rak K, Hagen R, Schendzielorz P. Transplantation of adipose-derived stromal cells protects functional and morphological auditory nerve integrity in a model of cochlear implantation. Neuroreport 2021; 32:776-782. [PMID: 33994529 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cochlear implants are considered the gold standard therapy for subjects with severe hearing loss and deafness. Cochlear implants bypass the damaged hair cells and directly stimulate spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of the auditory nerve. Hence, the presence of functional SGNs is crucial for speech perception in electric hearing with a cochlear implant. In deaf individuals, SGNs progressively degenerate due to the lack of neurotrophic support, normally provided by sensory cells of the inner ear. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are known to produce neurotrophic factors. In a guinea pig model of sensory hearing loss and cochlear implantation, ASCs were autologously transplanted into the scala tympani prior to insertion of a cochlear implant on one side. Electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses (eABR) were recorded 8 weeks after cochlear implantation. At conclusion of the experiment, the cochleae were histologically evaluated. Compared to untreated control animals, transplantation of ASCs resulted in an increased number of SGNs and their peripheral neurites. In ASC-transplanted animals, mean eABR thresholds were lower and suprathreshold amplitudes larger, suggesting a larger population of intact auditory nerve fibers. Moreover, when compared to controls, amplitude-level functions of eABRs in ASC transplanted animals demonstrated steeper slopes in response to increasing interphase gaps (IPGs), indicative of better functionality of the auditory nerve. In summary, results suggest that transplantation of autologous ASCs into the deaf inner ear may have protective effects on the survival of SGNs and their peripheral processes and may thus contribute to long-term benefits in speech discrimination performance in cochlear implant subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Radeloff
- Division of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Carl von Ossietzky-University
- Cluster of excellence "Hearing 4 All"
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Nashwa Nada
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Trandil El Mahallawi
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Enaas Kolkaila
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Maike Vollmer
- Department of Otol-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Magdeburg and Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg
| | - Kristen Rak
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rudolf Hagen
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Schendzielorz
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Würzburg, Germany
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12
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Vink HA, Versnel H, Kroon S, Klis SFL, Ramekers D. BDNF-mediated preservation of spiral ganglion cell peripheral processes and axons in comparison to that of their cell bodies. Hear Res 2020; 400:108114. [PMID: 33271438 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.108114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with neurotrophins prevents degeneration of spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) after severe hair cell loss. In a previous study we demonstrated a long-lasting effect with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after cessation of treatment. In that study the survival of the SGC cell bodies was examined. Here we address the question whether their peripheral processes and central processes (axons) were protected by this treatment as well in the cochleas of the aforementioned study. Guinea pigs were deafened by co-administration of kanamycin and furosemide. Two weeks after deafening the right cochleas were implanted with an intracochlear electrode array combined with a cannula connected to an osmotic pump filled with BDNF solution. Four weeks later the treatment was stopped by surgically removing the osmotic pump. At that point, or another four or eight weeks later, the animals were sacrificed for histological analysis. Control groups consisted of normal-hearing animals, and three groups of deafened animals: two-weeks-deaf untreated animals, and six- and fourteen-weeks-deaf sham-treated animals. Cochleas were processed for analysis of: (1) the myelinated portion of peripheral processes in the osseous spiral lamina, (2) the cell bodies in Rosenthal's canal, and (3) axons in the internal acoustic meatus. Packing densities and cross-sectional areas were determined using light microscopy. Up to eight weeks after treatment cessation the numbers of peripheral processes and axons were significantly higher than in untreated cochleas of control animals. Whereas the numbers of cell bodies and axons were similar to those at the start of treatment, the peripheral processes were significantly less well preserved. This smaller protective effect was found mainly in the apical turns. Strategies to prevent SGC degeneration after hair cell loss should consider the differential effects on the various neural elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk A Vink
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Room G.02.531, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands; UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Huib Versnel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Room G.02.531, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands; UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Steven Kroon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Room G.02.531, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sjaak F L Klis
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Room G.02.531, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands; UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Dyan Ramekers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Room G.02.531, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands; UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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13
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Schulze J, Staecker H, Wedekind D, Lenarz T, Warnecke A. Expression pattern of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its associated receptors: Implications for exogenous neurotrophin application. Hear Res 2020; 413:108098. [PMID: 33143996 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.108098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The application of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a promising pharmacological approach in cochlear implant research. Several in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that treatment with neurotrophins support the spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) survival and the synapses. Of the more than 40 companies that are working in the field of inner ear therapeutics, only one company is currently advancing BDNF towards clinical translation. Thus, there are no approved clinical therapies with neurotrophins, their precursors or neurotrophin-like substances. For a better understanding of the mechanisms of BDNF in the inner ear, we analysed the expression of mature BDNF (mBDNF), its pro-form proBDNF and their respective receptors the low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (NTRK2). In the adult murine inner ear, mBDNF is expressed in the inner and outer hair cells (IHC and OHC) of the organ of Corti and in the spiral ganglion of the Rosenthal's canal, whereas proBDNF is only detected in the supporting cells below the OHC. The corresponding receptors NTRK2 and p75NTR are expressed in the spiral ganglion whereof p75NTR is stronger expressed. For more insights in the effects of mBDNF and proBDNF on inner ear specific cells, we treated primary dissociated SGN with different concentrations of mBDNF and proBDNF alone and in combination. Interestingly, treatment with proBDNF is not toxic for SGN but simultaneously not protective. However, combined treatment of mBDNF and proBDNF maintained and perhaps slightly increased the protective effect of mBDNF. Thus, the mixture of mBDNF and proBDNF could be the new direction for the development of BDNF-based therapeutics in cochlear implantation and could represent more precisely the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schulze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation (EXC 2177/1).
| | - Hinrich Staecker
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Dirk Wedekind
- Department of experimental animal science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation (EXC 2177/1)
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation (EXC 2177/1)
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14
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Farnoosh G, Mahmoudian-Sani MR. Effects of Growth Factors and the MicroRNA-183 Family on Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Towards Auditory Neuron-Like Cells. STEM CELLS AND CLONING-ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 13:79-89. [PMID: 32982315 PMCID: PMC7490102 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s248526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Hearing Loss (HL) is known as the most common sensory processing disorder across the world. An effective treatment which has been currently used for patients suffering from this condition is cochlear implant (CI). The major limitation of this treatment is the need for a healthy auditory neuron (AN). Accordingly, mesenchymal cells (MCs) are regarded as good candidates for cell-based therapeutic approaches. The present study aimed to investigate the potentials of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) for differentiation towards ANs along with using treatments with growth factors and microRNA (miRNA) transfection in vitro. Methods To this end, neurospheres derived from hBM-MSCs were treated via basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as growth factors N2 and B27 supplements, as well as miRNA-96, -182, -183 transfected into hBM-MSCs in order to evaluate the differentiation of such cells into ANs. Results Treatments with growth factors demonstrated a significant increase in neurogenin 1 (Ngn1) and sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) markers; but tubulin, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) markers were not statistically significant. The findings also revealed that miRNA-182 expression in miRNA-183 family could boost the expressions of some AN marker (ie, Ngn1, SOX2, peripherin, and nestin) in vitro. Discussion It can be concluded that miRNA is probably a good substitute for growth factors used in differentiating into ANs. Transdifferentiation of hBM-MSCs into ANs, which does not occur under normal conditions, may be thus facilitated by miRNAs, especially miRNA-182, or via a combination of miRNA and growth factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gholamreza Farnoosh
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Mahmoudian-Sani
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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15
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Consecutive Treatment with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Electrical Stimulation Has a Protective Effect on Primary Auditory Neurons. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10080559. [PMID: 32824176 PMCID: PMC7464901 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of neurons, such as the inner ear spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), may be decelerated or even stopped by neurotrophic factor treatment, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as electrical stimulation (ES). In a clinical setting, drug treatment of the SGN could start directly during implantation of a cochlear implant, whereas electrical stimulation begins days to weeks later. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of consecutive BDNF and ES treatments on SGN density and electrical responsiveness. An electrode drug delivery device was implanted in guinea pigs 3 weeks after deafening and five experimental groups were established: two groups received intracochlear infusion of artificial perilymph (AP) or BDNF; two groups were treated with AP respectively BDNF in addition to ES (AP + ES, BDNF + ES); and one group received BDNF from the day of implantation until day 34 followed by ES (BDNF ⇨ ES). Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses were recorded. After one month of treatment, the tissue was harvested and the SGN density was assessed. The results show that consecutive treatment with BDNF and ES was as successful as the simultaneous combined treatment in terms of enhanced SGN density compared to the untreated contralateral side but not in regard to the numbers of protected cells.
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Schwieger J, Hamm A, Gepp MM, Schulz A, Hoffmann A, Lenarz T, Scheper V. Alginate-encapsulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells are a promising drug delivery system for protection of auditory neurons. J Tissue Eng 2020; 11:2041731420911313. [PMID: 32341778 PMCID: PMC7168777 DOI: 10.1177/2041731420911313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The cochlear implant outcome is possibly improved by brain-derived neurotrophic factor treatment protecting spiral ganglion neurons. Implantation of genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells may enable the required long-term brain-derived neurotrophic factor administration. Encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells in ultra-high viscous alginate may protect the mesenchymal stem cells from the recipient’s immune system and prevent their uncontrolled migration. Alginate stability and survival of mesenchymal stem cells in alginate were evaluated. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor production was measured and its protective effect was analyzed in dissociated rat spiral ganglion neuron co-culture. Since the cochlear implant is an active electrode, alginate–mesenchymal stem cell samples were electrically stimulated and alginate stability and mesenchymal stem cell survival were investigated. Stability of ultra-high viscous-alginate and alginate–mesenchymal stem cells was proven. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor production was detectable and spiral ganglion neuron survival, bipolar morphology, and neurite outgrowth were increased. Moderate electrical stimulation did not affect the mesenchymal stem cell survival and their viability was good within the investigated time frame. Local drug delivery by ultra-high viscous-alginate-encapsulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor–overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells is a promising strategy to improve the cochlear implant outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schwieger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,NIFE-Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anika Hamm
- NIFE-Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael M Gepp
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany.,Fraunhofer Project Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering, Würzburg, Germany
| | - André Schulz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Andrea Hoffmann
- NIFE-Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,NIFE-Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, German Research Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Scheper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,NIFE-Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development, Hannover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, German Research Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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17
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Leake PA, Akil O, Lang H. Neurotrophin gene therapy to promote survival of spiral ganglion neurons after deafness. Hear Res 2020; 394:107955. [PMID: 32331858 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.107955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hearing impairment is a major health and economic concern worldwide. Currently, the cochlear implant (CI) is the standard of care for remediation of severe to profound hearing loss, and in general, contemporary CIs are highly successful. But there is great variability in outcomes among individuals, especially in children, with many CI users deriving much less or even marginal benefit. Much of this variability is related to differences in auditory nerve survival, and there has been substantial interest in recent years in exploring potential therapies to improve survival of the cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) after deafness. Preclinical studies using osmotic pumps and other approaches in deafened animal models to deliver neurotrophic factors (NTs) directly to the cochlea have shown promising results, especially with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). More recent studies have focused on the use of NT gene therapy to force expression of NTs by target cells within the cochlea. This could provide the means for a one-time treatment to promote long-term NT expression and improve neural survival after deafness. This review summarizes the evidence for the efficacy of exogenous NTs in preventing SGN degeneration after hearing loss and reviews the animal research to date suggesting that NT gene therapy can elicit long-term NT expression in the cochlea, resulting in significantly improved SGN and radial nerve fiber survival after deafness. In addition, we discuss NT gene therapy in other non-auditory applications and consider some of the remaining issues with regard to selecting optimal vectors, timing of treatment, and place/method of delivery, etc. that must be resolved prior to considering clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Leake
- S & I Epstein Laboratory, Dept. of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N331, San Francisco, CA, 94115-1330, USA.
| | - Omar Akil
- S & I Epstein Laboratory, Dept. of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 2340 Sutter Street, Room N331, San Francisco, CA, 94115-1330, USA
| | - Hainan Lang
- Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 165 Ashley Avenue, Room RS613, Charleston, SC, 29414, USA
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18
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Hügl S, Scheper V, Gepp MM, Lenarz T, Rau TS, Schwieger J. Coating stability and insertion forces of an alginate-cell-based drug delivery implant system for the inner ear. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2019; 97:90-98. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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19
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Scheper V, Hoffmann A, Gepp MM, Schulz A, Hamm A, Pannier C, Hubka P, Lenarz T, Schwieger J. Stem Cell Based Drug Delivery for Protection of Auditory Neurons in a Guinea Pig Model of Cochlear Implantation. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:177. [PMID: 31139049 PMCID: PMC6527816 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The success of a cochlear implant (CI), which is the standard therapy for patients suffering from severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, depends on the number and excitability of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a protective effect on SGNs but should be applied chronically to guarantee their lifelong survival. Long-term administration of BDNF could be achieved using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), but these cells should be protected – by ultra-high viscous (UHV-) alginate (‘alginate-MSCs’) – from the recipient immune system and from uncontrolled migration. Methods: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor-producing MSCs were encapsulated in UHV-alginate. Four experimental groups were investigated using guinea pigs as an animal model. Three of them were systemically deafened and (unilaterally) received one of the following: (I) a CI; (II) an alginate-MSC-coated CI; (III) an injection of alginate-embedded MSCs into the scala tympani followed by CI insertion and alginate polymerization. Group IV was normal hearing, with CI insertion in both ears and a unilateral injection of alginate-MSCs. Using acoustically evoked auditory brainstem response measurements, hearing thresholds were determined before implantation and before sacrificing the animals. Electrode impedance was measured weekly. Four weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed and the SGN density and degree of fibrosis were evaluated. Results: The MSCs survived being implanted for 4 weeks in vivo. Neither the alginate-MSC injection nor the coating affected electrode impedance or fibrosis. CI insertion with and without previous alginate injection in normal-hearing animals resulted in increased hearing thresholds within the high-frequency range. Low-frequency hearing loss was additionally observed in the alginate-injected and implanted cochleae, but not in those treated only with a CI. In deafened animals, the alginate-MSC coating of the CI significantly prevented SGN from degeneration, but the injection of alginate-MSCs did not. Conclusion: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor-producing MSCs encapsulated in UHV-alginate prevent SGNs from degeneration in the form of coating on the CI surface, but not in the form of an injection. No increase in fibrosis or impedance was detected. Further research and development aimed at verifying long-term mechanical and biological properties of coated electrodes in vitro and in vivo, in combination with chronic electrical stimulation, is needed before the current concept can be tested in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Scheper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence 'Hearing4all', German Research Foundation, Bonn, Germany.,Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Hoffmann
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Michael M Gepp
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany.,Fraunhofer Project Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering, Würzburg, Germany
| | - André Schulz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Anika Hamm
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christoph Pannier
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Peter Hubka
- Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany.,Department of Experimental Otology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence 'Hearing4all', German Research Foundation, Bonn, Germany.,Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany
| | - Jana Schwieger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany.,Lower Saxony Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Hanover, Germany
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20
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In the field of hearing research a variety of imaging techniques are available to study molecular and cellular structures of the cochlea. Most of them are based on decalcifying, embedding, and cutting of the cochlea. By means of scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT), the complete cochlea can be visualized without cutting. The Cav1.3-/- mice have already been extensively characterized and show structural changes in the inner ear. Therefore, they were used in this study as a model to investigate whether SLOT can detect structural differences in the murine cochlea. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole undissected cochleae from Cav1.3-/- and wild-type mice of various postnatal stages were immunostained and analyzed by SLOT. The results were compared to cochlea preparations that were immunostained and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, cochlea preparations were stained with osmium tetraoxide. RESULTS Visualization by SLOT showed that the staining of nerve fibers at P27 in Cav1.3-/- mice was almost absent compared to wild-type mice and earlier timepoints (P9). The analysis of cochlea preparations confirmed a reduction of the radial nerve fibers. In addition, a significantly reduced number of ribbon synapses per inner hair cell (IHC) at P20 and P27 in the apical part of the cochlea of Cav1.3-/- mice was detected. CONCLUSION The visualization of whole non-dissected cochleae by SLOT is a suitable tool for the analysis of gross phenotypic changes, as demonstrated by means of the Cav1.3-/- mouse model. For the analysis of finer structures of the cochlea, however, further methods must be used.
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21
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Ma Y, Wise AK, Shepherd RK, Richardson RT. New molecular therapies for the treatment of hearing loss. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 200:190-209. [PMID: 31075354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 466 million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by degeneration of key structures of the sensory pathway in the cochlea such as the sensory hair cells, the primary auditory neurons and their synaptic connection to the hair cells - the ribbon synapse. Various strategies to protect or regenerate these sensory cells and structures are the subject of intensive research. Yet despite recent advances in our understandings of the capacity of the cochlea for repair and regeneration there are currently no pharmacological or biological interventions for hearing loss. Current research focusses on localized cochlear drug, gene and cell-based therapies. One of the more promising drug-based therapies is based on neurotrophic factors for the repair of the ribbon synapse after noise exposure, as well as preventing loss of primary auditory neurons and regrowth of the auditory neuron fibers after severe hearing loss. Drug therapy delivery technologies are being employed to address the specific needs of neurotrophin and other therapies for hearing loss that include the need for high doses, long-term delivery, localised or cell-specific targeting and techniques for their safe and efficacious delivery to the cochlea. Novel biomaterials are enabling high payloads of drugs to be administered to the cochlea with subsequent slow-release properties that are proving to be beneficial for treating hearing loss. In parallel, new gene therapy technologies are addressing the need for cell specificity and high efficacy for the treatment of both genetic and acquired hearing loss with promising reports of hearing recovery. Some biomaterials and cell therapies are being used in conjunction with the cochlear implant ensuring therapeutic benefit to the primary neurons during electrical stimulation. This review will introduce the auditory system, hearing loss and the potential for repair and regeneration in the cochlea. Drug delivery to the cochlea will then be reviewed, with a focus on new biomaterials, gene therapy technologies, cell therapy and the use of the cochlear implant as a vehicle for drug delivery. With the current pre-clinical research effort into therapies for hearing loss, including clinical trials for gene therapy, the future for the treatment for hearing loss is looking bright.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Ma
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Chemical Engineering, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew K Wise
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Medical Bionics Department, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert K Shepherd
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Medical Bionics Department, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rachael T Richardson
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Medical Bionics Department, East Melbourne, Australia; University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery - Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Australia.
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22
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[Scanning laser optical tomography in a neuropathic mouse model : Visualization of structural changes. German version]. HNO 2019; 67:590-599. [PMID: 30963223 DOI: 10.1007/s00106-019-0652-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the field of hearing research a variety of imaging techniques are available to study molecular and cellular structures of the cochlea. Most of them are based on decalcifying, embedding, and cutting of the cochlea. By means of scanning laser optical tomography (SLOT), the complete cochlea can be visualized without cutting. The Cav1.3-/- mice have already been extensively characterized and show structural changes in the inner ear. Therefore, they were used in this study as a model to investigate whether SLOT can detect structural differences in the murine cochlea. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole undissected cochleae from Cav1.3-/- and wildtype mice of various postnatal stages were immunostained and analyzed by SLOT. The results were compared to cochlea preparations that were immunostained and analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, cochlea preparations were stained with osmium tetraoxide. RESULTS Visualization by SLOT showed that the staining of nerve fibers at P27 in Cav1.3-/- mice was almost absent compared to wildtype mice and earlier timepoints (P9). The analysis of cochlea preparations confirmed a reduction of the radial nerve fibers. In addition, a significantly reduced number of ribbon synapses per inner hair cell (IHC) at P20 and P27 in the apical part of the cochlea of Cav1.3-/- mice was detected. CONCLUSION The visualization of whole non-dissected cochleae by SLOT is a suitable tool for the analysis of gross phenotypic changes, as demonstrated by means of the Cav1.3-/- mouse model. For the analysis of finer structures of the cochlea, however, further methods must be used.
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23
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Frisina RD, Budzevich M, Zhu X, Martinez GV, Walton JP, Borkholder DA. Animal model studies yield translational solutions for cochlear drug delivery. Hear Res 2018; 368:67-74. [PMID: 29793764 PMCID: PMC6165691 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The field of hearing and deafness research is about to enter an era where new cochlear drug delivery methodologies will become more innovative and plentiful. The present report provides a representative review of previous studies where efficacious results have been obtained with animal models, primarily rodents, for protection against acute hearing loss such as acoustic trauma due to noise overexposure, antibiotic use and cancer chemotherapies. These approaches were initiated using systemic injections or oral administrations of otoprotectants. Now, exciting new options for local drug delivery, which opens up the possibilities for utilization of novel otoprotective drugs or compounds that might not be suitable for systemic use, or might interfere with the efficacious actions of chemotherapeutic agents or antibiotics, are being developed. These include interesting use of nanoparticles (with or without magnetic field supplementation), hydrogels, cochlear micropumps, and new transtympanic injectable compounds, sometimes in combination with cochlear implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Frisina
- Dept. Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Dept. Communication Sciences & Disorders, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Dept. Medical Engineering, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - M Budzevich
- Small Animal Imaging Lab, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - X Zhu
- Dept. Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Dept. Medical Engineering, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - G V Martinez
- Small Animal Imaging Lab, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - J P Walton
- Dept. Communication Sciences & Disorders, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Dept. Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Global Center for Hearing & Speech Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - D A Borkholder
- Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
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Akil O, Blits B, Lustig LR, Leake PA. Virally Mediated Overexpression of Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Elicits Age- and Dose-Dependent Neuronal Toxicity and Hearing Loss. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 30:88-105. [PMID: 30183384 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary cochlear implants (CI) are generally very effective for remediation of severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, but outcomes are still highly variable. Auditory nerve survival is likely one of the major factors underlying this variability. Neurotrophin therapy therefore has been proposed for CI recipients, with the goal of improving outcomes by promoting improved survival of cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) and/or residual hair cells. Previous studies have shown that glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 can rescue SGNs following insult. The current study was designed to determine whether adeno-associated virus vector serotype 5 (AAV-5) encoding either green fluorescent protein or GDNF can transduce cells in the mouse cochlea to express useful levels of neurotrophin and to approximate the optimum therapeutic dose(s) for transducing hair cells and SGN. The findings demonstrate that AAV-5 is a potentially useful gene therapy vector for the cochlea, resulting in extremely high levels of transgene expression in the cochlear inner hair cells and SGN. However, overexpression of human GDNF in newborn mice caused severe neurological symptoms and hearing loss, likely due to Purkinje cell loss and cochlear nucleus pathology. Thus, extremely high levels of transgene protein expression should be avoided, particularly for proteins that have neurological function in neonatal subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Akil
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Bas Blits
- 2 Department of Research and Development, UniQure Biopharma B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lawrence R Lustig
- 3 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Patricia A Leake
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Han Z, Wang C, Gu Y, Cong N, Ma R, Chi F. Mimic Cochlear Implant Surgery-Induced Cochlear Infection Fails to Further Damage Auditory Pathway in Deafened Guinea Pigs. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:5448-5456. [PMID: 30078839 PMCID: PMC6091166 DOI: 10.12659/msm.911392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kanamycin and subsequent furosemide administration was applied to the healthy guinea pigs to induce deafness. Material/Methods Of the deafened guinea pigs, 10 were further infused with anti-infection procedures (Group B) and the other 10 animals did not undergo anti-infection procedures (Group C). In Group B, the deafened animals were able to restore cochlear and middle ear functions following the anti-infection procedure. In Group C, all animals developed cochlear and middle ear infections. Results Compared to the healthy guinea pigs, hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) of deafened animals (in Group B and Group C) were severely damaged. SGN density of deafened animals was significantly lower than that of healthy control animals in all ear turns except the basal turn. There was no significant difference between Group B and Group C in SGN density. The average optical density value of neurofilaments of deafened animals was also significantly decreased after the ototoxic drug administration. Notably, the density of the neurons in the cochlear nucleus region (CNR) of the brainstem were not significantly different between the healthy control guinea pigs and deafened animals. Conclusions Mimic cochlear implant surgery-induced cochlear infection caused no significant damage to the auditory pathway in ototoxic drug-induced deafened guinea pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Han
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Chengjin Wang
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Yuyan Gu
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Ning Cong
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Fanglu Chi
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland).,Shanghai Auditory Medical Center, Shanghai, China (mainland).,NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, China (mainland).,Fudan University, Shanghai, China (mainland)
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Schmidt N, Schulze J, Warwas DP, Ehlert N, Lenarz T, Warnecke A, Behrens P. Long-term delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from nanoporous silica nanoparticles improves the survival of spiral ganglion neurons in vitro. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194778. [PMID: 29584754 PMCID: PMC5870973 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can be overcome by electrical stimulation of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) via a cochlear implant (CI). Restricted CI performance results from the spatial gap between the SGNs and the electrode, but the efficacy of CI is also limited by the degeneration of SGNs as one consequence of SHNL. In the healthy cochlea, the survival of SGNs is assured by endogenous neurotrophic support. Several applications of exogenous neurotrophic supply have been shown to reduce SGN degeneration in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, nanoporous silica nanoparticles (NPSNPs), with an approximate diameter of <100 nm, were loaded with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to test their efficacy as long-term delivery system for neurotrophins. The neurotrophic factor was released constantly from the NPSNPs over a release period of 80 days when the surface of the nanoparticles had been modified with amino groups. Cell culture investigations with NIH3T3 fibroblasts attest a good general cytocompatibility of the NPSNPs. In vitro experiments with SGNs indicate a significantly higher survival rate of SGNs in cell cultures that contained BDNF-loaded nanoparticles compared to the control culture with unloaded NPSNPs (p<0.001). Importantly, also the amounts of BDNF released up to a time period of 39 days increased the survival rate of SGNs. Thus, NPSNPs carrying BDNF are suitable for the treatment of inner ear disease and for the protection and the support of SGNs. Their nanoscale nature and the fact that a direct contact of the nanoparticles and the SGNs is not necessary for neuroprotective effects, should allow for the facile preparation of nanocomposites, e.g., with biocompatible polymers, to install coatings on implants for the realization of implant-based growth factor delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadeschda Schmidt
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schulze
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dawid P. Warwas
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nina Ehlert
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Behrens
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Alemi R, Motassadi Zarandy M, Joghataei MT, Eftekharian A, Zarrindast MR, Vousooghi N. Plasticity after pediatric cochlear implantation: Implication from changes in peripheral plasma level of BDNF and auditory nerve responses. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 105:103-110. [PMID: 29447794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sensory neural hearing loss could lead to some structural and physiological changes in the auditory pathways, such as alteration in the expression of neurotrophins. These factors, especially Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), play an important role in synaptic functions and experience-related plasticity. Restoring cochlear function after hearing loss is possible through cochlear implantation (CI). Evaluation of the blood concentration changes of neurotrophins as prerequisites of plasticity could help scientists to determine the prognosis of CI as in the candidacy procedure or enhancing prosthesis function by adding the exact needed amount of BDNF to the electrode array. METHODS Here we have studied the plasma BDNF concentration before CI surgery and 6 months after using CI device in 15 pediatric CI recipients and compared this level with changes of BDNF concentration in 10 children who were using hearing aid (H.A). In addition, we searched for a possible correlation between post-surgery plasma BDNF concentration and electrical compound action potential (ECAP) and comfort-level (C-level) thresholds. RESULTS Plasma BDNF concentration in children with CI increased significantly after CI surgery, while this difference in H.A group was not significant. Analysis of repeated measures of ECAP and C-level thresholds in CI group showed that there were some kinds of steadiness during follow- up sessions for ECAP thresholds in basal and E16 of middle electrodes, whereas C-level thresholds for all selected electrodes increased significantly up to six months follow-up. Interestingly, we did not find any significant correlation between post-surgery plasma BDNF concentration and ECAP or C-level threshold changes. CONCLUSION It is concluded that changes in C-level threshold and steady state of ECAP thresholds and significant changes in BDNF concentration could be regarded as an indicator of experienced-related plasticity after CI stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Alemi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cochlear Implant Center and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amir Aalam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Motassadi Zarandy
- Cochlear Implant Center and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Amir Aalam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- Division of Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Eftekharian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Loghman Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zarrindast
- Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran; Genomic Center, School of Advanced Sciences, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Genetics Laboratory, Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Therapeutic and protective effects of autologous serum in amikacin-induced ototoxicity. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2017; 132:33-40. [PMID: 29151378 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215117002304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Possible therapeutic and protective benefits of intratympanic autologous serum application in amikacin-induced ototoxicity were investigated. METHODS Twenty-four guinea pigs were separated equally into two groups: therapeutic (group A) and protective (group B). Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were recorded before and after autologous serum application. Apoptotic cells were identified in the organ of Corti, spiral limbus and spiral ganglion by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling ('TUNEL') method. RESULTS Transient evoked otoacoustic emission responses at 1, 1.4 and 2.8 kHz improved without significance after autologous serum application in group A (p > 0.05). A significantly protective effect of autologous serum was determined at 4 kHz in group B (p < 0.05). There were significantly fewer apoptotic cells at the spiral limbus in the therapeutic and protective groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Autologous serum may offer protection against ototoxicity-induced hearing loss, but it cannot restore hearing. Immunohistochemically, autologous serum significantly decreases activation of the intrinsic pathway of pro-apoptotic signalling in mesenchymal cells compared to neurons and neurosensory cells.
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Sale PJP, Uschakov A, Saief T, Rowe DP, Abbott CJ, Luu CD, Hampson AJ, O'Leary SJ, Sly DJ. Cannula-based drug delivery to the guinea pig round window causes a lasting hearing loss that may be temporarily mitigated by BDNF. Hear Res 2017; 356:104-115. [PMID: 29089185 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Sustained local delivery of drugs to the inner ear may be required for future regenerative and protective strategies. The round window is surgically accessible and a promising delivery route. To be viable, a delivery system should not cause hearing loss. This study determined the effect on hearing of placing a drug-delivery microcatheter on to the round window, and delivering either artificial perilymph (AP) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via this catheter with a mini-osmotic pump. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were monitored for 4 months after surgery, while the AP or BDNF was administered for the first month. The presence of the microcatheter - whether dry or when delivering AP or BDNF for 4 weeks - was associated with an increase in ABR thresholds of up to 15 dB, 16 weeks after implantation. This threshold shift was, in part, delayed by the delivery of BDNF. We conclude that the chronic presence of a microcatheter in the round window niche causes hearing loss, and that this is exacerbated by delivery of AP, and ameliorated temporarily by delivery of BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip J P Sale
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
| | - Aaron Uschakov
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
| | - Tasfia Saief
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
| | - David P Rowe
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
| | - Carla J Abbott
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Chi D Luu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Amy J Hampson
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
| | - Stephen J O'Leary
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia.
| | - David J Sly
- Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne 3002, Australia; Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn 3122, Australia
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Developing integrated PBPK/PD coupled mechanistic pathway model (miRNA-BDNF): An approach towards system toxicology. Toxicol Lett 2017; 280:79-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Schendzielorz P, Vollmer M, Rak K, Wiegner A, Nada N, Radeloff K, Hagen R, Radeloff A. Adipose-derived stromal cells enhance auditory neuron survival in an animal model of sensory hearing loss. Cytotherapy 2017; 19:1197-1207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Wise AK, Pujol R, Landry TG, Fallon JB, Shepherd RK. Structural and Ultrastructural Changes to Type I Spiral Ganglion Neurons and Schwann Cells in the Deafened Guinea Pig Cochlea. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2017; 18:751-769. [PMID: 28717876 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-017-0631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly caused by damage to cochlear sensory hair cells. Coinciding with hair cell degeneration, the peripheral fibres of type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) that normally form synaptic connections with the inner hair cell gradually degenerate. We examined the time course of these degenerative changes in type I SGNs and their satellite Schwann cells at the ultrastructural level in guinea pigs at 2, 6, and 12 weeks following aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Degeneration of the peripheral fibres occurred prior to the degeneration of the type I SGN soma and was characterised by shrinkage of the fibre followed by retraction of the axoplasm, often leaving a normal myelin lumen devoid of axoplasmic content. A statistically significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of peripheral fibres was evident as early as 2 weeks following deafening (p < 0.001, ANOVA). This was followed by a decrease in type I SGN density within Rosenthal's canal that was statistically significant 6 weeks following deafening (p < 0.001, ANOVA). At any time point examined, few type I SGN soma were observed undergoing degeneration, implying that once initiated, soma degeneration was rapid. While there was a significant reduction in soma area as well as changes to the morphology of the soma, the ultrastructure of surviving type I SGN soma appeared relatively normal over the 12-week period following deafening. Satellite Schwann cells exhibited greater survival traits than their type I SGN; however, on loss of neural contact, they reverted to a non-myelinating phenotype, exhibiting an astrocyte-like morphology with the formation of processes that appeared to be searching for new neural targets. In 6- and 12-week deafened cochlea, we observed cellular interaction between Schwann cell processes and residual SGNs that distorted the morphology of the SGN soma. Understanding the response of SGNs, Schwann cells, and the complex relationship between them following aminoglycoside deafening is important if we are to develop effective therapeutic techniques designed to rescue SGNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Wise
- The Bionics Institute, 384-388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia.
- Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Remy Pujol
- The Bionics Institute, 384-388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
- INSERM Unit 1051, INM, Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas G Landry
- The Bionics Institute, 384-388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
| | - James B Fallon
- The Bionics Institute, 384-388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
- Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert K Shepherd
- The Bionics Institute, 384-388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002, Australia
- Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Schulze J, Kaiser O, Paasche G, Lamm H, Pich A, Hoffmann A, Lenarz T, Warnecke A. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on BDNF-release and neuroprotection: Investigations with human mesenchymal stem cells and genetically modified NIH3T3 fibroblasts as putative cell therapeutics. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178182. [PMID: 28542481 PMCID: PMC5441643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a noninvasive widely applied treatment that increases the oxygen pressure in tissues. In cochlear implant (CI) research, intracochlear application of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) is able to improve survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) after deafness. Cell-based delivery of NTFs such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be realized by cell-coating of the surface of the CI electrode. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secrete a variety of different neurotrophic factors and may be used for the development of a biohybrid electrode in order to release endogenously-derived neuroprotective factors for the protection of residual SGN and for a guided outgrowth of dendrites in the direction of the CI electrode. HBOT could be used to influence cell behaviour after transplantation to the inner ear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HBOT on the proliferation, BDNF-release and secretion of neuroprotective factors. Thus, model cells (an immortalized fibroblast cell line (NIH3T3)–native and genetically modified) and MSCs were repeatedly (3 x – 10 x) exposed to 100% oxygen at different pressures. The effects of HBO on cell proliferation were investigated in relation to normoxic and normobaric conditions (NOR). Moreover, the neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of HBO-treated cells were analysed by cultivation of SGN in conditioned medium. Both, the genetically modified NIH3T3/BDNF and native NIH3T3 fibroblasts, showed a highly significant increased proliferation after five days of HBOT in comparison to normoxic controls. By contrast, the number of MSCs was decreased in MSCs treated with 2.0 bar of HBO. Treating SGN cultures with supernatants of fibroblasts and MSCs significantly increased the survival rate of SGN. HBO treatment did not influence (increase / reduce) this effect. Secretome analysis showed that HBO treatment altered the protein expression pattern in MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schulze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Odett Kaiser
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gerrit Paasche
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans Lamm
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Pich
- Core Facility Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Hoffmann
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover, Germany
| | - Athanasia Warnecke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all”, Hannover, Germany
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Wise AK, Tan J, Wang Y, Caruso F, Shepherd RK. Improved Auditory Nerve Survival with Nanoengineered Supraparticles for Neurotrophin Delivery into the Deafened Cochlea. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164867. [PMID: 27788219 PMCID: PMC5082918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear implants electrically stimulate spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in order to provide speech cues to severe-profoundly deaf patients. In normal hearing cochleae the SGNs depend on endogenous neurotrophins secreted by sensory cells in the organ of Corti for survival. SGNs gradually degenerate following deafness and consequently there is considerable interest in developing clinically relevant strategies to provide exogenous neurotrophins to preserve SGN survival. The present study investigated the safety and efficacy of a drug delivery system for the cochlea using nanoengineered silica supraparticles. In the present study we delivered Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) over a period of four weeks and evaluated SGN survival as a measure of efficacy. Supraparticles were bilaterally implanted into the basal turn of cochleae in profoundly deafened guinea pigs. One ear received BDNF-loaded supraparticles and the other ear control (unloaded) supraparticles. After one month of treatment the cochleae were examined histologically. There was significantly greater survival of SGNs in cochleae that received BDNF supraparticles compared to the contralateral control cochleae (repeated measures ANOVA, p = 0.009). SGN survival was observed over a wide extent of the cochlea. The supraparticles were well tolerated within the cochlea with a tissue response that was localised to the site of implantation in the cochlear base. Although mild, the tissue response was significantly greater in cochleae treated with BDNF supraparticles compared to the controls (repeated measures ANOVA, p = 0.003). These data support the clinical potential of this technology particularly as the supraparticles can be loaded with a variety of therapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K. Wise
- The Bionics Institute, 384–388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- The Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Justin Tan
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yajun Wang
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Frank Caruso
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robert K. Shepherd
- The Bionics Institute, 384–388 Albert Street, East Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- The Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Lei L, Tang L. Schwann cells genetically modified to express S100A4 increases GAP43 expression in spiral ganglion neurons in vitro. Bioengineered 2016; 8:404-410. [PMID: 27669149 PMCID: PMC5553331 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2016.1238534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs) have been reported as a possible source of neurotrophic support for spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). This study was aimed to investigate whether S100A4 was contributed in the functional effects of SCs on SGNs. SCs were transfected with S100A4 vector or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against S100A4, and the transfection efficiency was verified by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot. The migration of transfected SCs was determined by Transwell assay, and the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor precursor (VEGF) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) were measured by Western blot. Co-culture of either S100A4 overexpressed or suppressed SCs with SGNs, and the growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) expression in SGNs was detected by immunofluorescence (IF), qPCR and Western blot. The migration of SCs was significantly enhanced by S100A4 overexpression (P < 0.001), while was suppressed by S100A4 knockdown (P < 0.01). Further, the expressions of VEGF and MMP-9 were notably up-regulated by S100A4 overexpression, while were down-regulated by S100A4 knockdown. Moreover, co-culture with the S100A4 overexpressed SCs significantly increased the expression of GAP43 in SGNs (P < 0.01). As expected, co-culture with S100A4 knockdown SCs decreased GAP43 level (P < 0.05). S100A4 enhanced the migratory ability of SCs. SCs genetically modified to overexpress the S100A4 could up-regulate the GAP43 expression in SGNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lei
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Li Tang
- b Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Heze Municipal Hospital of Shangdong Province , Heze , Shandong , China
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Firing frequency and entrainment maintained in primary auditory neurons in the presence of combined BDNF and NT3. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28584. [PMID: 27335179 PMCID: PMC4917828 DOI: 10.1038/srep28584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary auditory neurons rely on neurotrophic factors for development and survival. We previously determined that exposure to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT3) alters the activity of hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih) in this neuronal population. Since potassium channels are sensitive to neurotrophins, and changes in Ih are often accompanied by a shift in voltage-gated potassium currents (IK), this study examined IK with exposure to both BDNF and NT3 and the impact on firing entrainment during high frequency pulse trains. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed significant changes in action potential latency and duration, but no change in firing adaptation or total outward IK. Dendrotoxin-I (DTX-I), targeting voltage-gated potassium channel subunits KV1.1 and KV1.2, uncovered an increase in the contribution of DTX-I sensitive currents with exposure to neurotrophins. No difference in Phrixotoxin-1 (PaTX-1) sensitive currents, mediated by KV4.2 and KV4.3 subunits, was observed. Further, no difference was seen in firing entrainment. These results show that combined BDNF and NT3 exposure influences the contribution of KV1.1 and KV1.2 to the low voltage-activated potassium current (IKL). Whilst this is accompanied by a shift in spike latency and duration, both firing frequency and entrainment to high frequency pulse trains are preserved.
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Magnetic Beads Enhance Adhesion of NIH 3T3 Fibroblasts: A Proof-of-Principle In Vitro Study for Implant-Mediated Long-Term Drug Delivery to the Inner Ear. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150057. [PMID: 26918945 PMCID: PMC4769079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Long-term drug delivery to the inner ear may be achieved by functionalizing cochlear implant (CI) electrodes with cells providing neuroprotective factors. However, effective strategies in order to coat implant surfaces with cells need to be developed. Our vision is to make benefit of electromagnetic field attracting forces generated by CI electrodes to bind BDNF-secreting cells that are labelled with magnetic beads (MB) onto the electrode surfaces. Thus, the effect of MB-labelling on cell viability and BDNF production were investigated. Materials and Methods Murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts—genetically modified to produce BDNF—were labelled with MB. Results Atomic force and bright field microscopy illustrated the internalization of MB by fibroblasts after 24 h of cultivation. Labelling cells with MB did not expose cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts and allowed adhesion on magnetic surfaces with sufficient BDNF release. Discussion Our data demonstrate a novel approach for mediating enhanced long-term adhesion of BDNF-secreting fibroblasts on model electrode surfaces for cell-based drug delivery applications in vitro and in vivo. This therapeutic strategy, once transferred to cells suitable for clinical application, may allow the biological modifications of CI surfaces with cells releasing neurotrophic or other factors of interest.
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Temporary Neurotrophin Treatment Prevents Deafness-Induced Auditory Nerve Degeneration and Preserves Function. J Neurosci 2015; 35:12331-45. [PMID: 26354903 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0096-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
After substantial loss of cochlear hair cells, exogenous neurotrophins prevent degeneration of the auditory nerve. Because cochlear implantation, the current therapy for profound sensorineural hearing loss, depends on a functional nerve, application of neurotrophins is being investigated. We addressed two questions important for fundamental insight into the effects of exogenous neurotrophins on a degenerating neural system, and for translation to the clinic. First, does temporary treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) prevent nerve degeneration on the long term? Second, how does a BDNF-treated nerve respond to electrical stimulation? Deafened guinea pigs received a cochlear implant, and their cochleas were infused with BDNF for 4 weeks. Up to 8 weeks after treatment, their cochleas were analyzed histologically. Electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) were recorded using stimulation paradigms that are informative of neural survival. Spiral ganglion cell (SGC) degeneration was prevented during BDNF treatment, resulting in 1.9 times more SGCs than in deafened untreated cochleas. Importantly, SGC survival was almost complete 8 weeks after treatment cessation, when 2.6 times more SGCs were observed. In four eCAP characteristics (three involving alteration of the interphase gap of the biphasic current pulse and one involving pulse trains), we found large and statistically significant differences between normal-hearing and deaf controls. Importantly, for BDNF-treated animals, these eCAP characteristics were near normal, suggesting healthy responsiveness of BDNF-treated SGCs. In conclusion, clinically practicable short-term neurotrophin treatment is sufficient for long-term survival of SGCs, and it can restore or preserve SGC function well beyond the treatment period. Significance statement: Successful restoration of hearing in deaf subjects by means of a cochlear implant requires a healthy spiral ganglion cell population. Deafness-induced degeneration of these cells can be averted with neurotrophic factors. In the present study in deafened guinea pigs, we investigated the long-term effects of temporary (i.e., clinically practicable) treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We show that, after treatment cessation, the neuroprotective effect remains for at least 8 weeks. Moreover, for the first time, it is shown that the electrical responsiveness of BDNF-treated spiral ganglion cells is preserved during this period as well. These findings demonstrate that treatment of the auditory nerve with neurotrophic factors may be relevant for cochlear implant users.
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Bako P, Bassiouni M, Eckhard A, Gerlinger I, Frick C, Löwenheim H, Müller M. Methyl methacrylate embedding to study the morphology and immunohistochemistry of adult guinea pig and mouse cochleae. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 254:86-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Gillespie LN, Richardson RT, Nayagam BA, Wise AK. Treating hearing disorders with cell and gene therapy. J Neural Eng 2015; 11:065001. [PMID: 25420002 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/11/6/065001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss is an increasing problem for a substantial number of people and, with an aging population, the incidence and severity of hearing loss will become more significant over time. There are very few therapies currently available to treat hearing loss, and so the development of new therapeutic strategies for hearing impaired individuals is of paramount importance to address this unmet clinical need. Most forms of hearing loss are progressive in nature and therefore an opportunity exists to develop novel therapeutic approaches to slow or halt hearing loss progression, or even repair or replace lost hearing function. Numerous emerging technologies have potential as therapeutic options. This paper details the potential of cell- and gene-based therapies to provide therapeutic agents to protect sensory and neural cells from various insults known to cause hearing loss; explores the potential of replacing lost sensory and nerve cells using gene and stem cell therapy; and describes the considerations for clinical translation and the challenges that need to be overcome.
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Sameer Mallick A, Qureishi A, Pearson R, O'Donoghue G. Neurotrophins and cochlear implants: a solution to sensorineural deafness? Cochlear Implants Int 2015; 14:158-64. [PMID: 22889496 DOI: 10.1179/1754762812y.0000000013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To review current trends for treating sensorineural deafness by enhancing spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) survival using neurotrophins combined with cochlear implants and identify areas for future research and development. METHODS A literature search was undertaken on PubMed and Google scholar using terms: neurotrophins, cochlear implants (CIs), and sensorineural to identify the most recent and significant publications. The abstracts were read to identify relevant papers; these were accessed in full and analysed for this review. RESULTS Neurotrophins have a known role in cochlear development and the maintenance of SGNs. So far experiments using osmotic pumps to deliver neurotrophins have been successful for short-term enhanced survival of SGN's following aminoglycoside ototoxicity in animal models. They have demonstrated the re-sprouting of radial nerve fibres from SGN's towards the source of delivery. In addition electrical stimulation, gene and cell-based therapy have increased SGN survival to varying degrees. DISCUSSION Osmotic pumps carry a high risk of infection therefore CIs coated in a drug containing polymer or hydrogel are a realistic alternative for sustained delivery of neurotrophins. Increased SGN survival combined with neuronal re-growth raises the possibility for CIs to stimulate discrete SGN populations. Unfortunately, the duration of treatment needed for long-term survival still remains unclear and further work is needed. Nevertheless the combination of regenerative medicine to CI technology presents a novel approach to developing CI technology.
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Xie B, Dai C, Li H. Attenuated infrared neuron stimulation response in cochlea of deaf animals may associate with the degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 6:1990-2005. [PMID: 26114024 PMCID: PMC4473739 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.001990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that degenerated spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in guinea pigs reduces auditory brainstem responses evoked by pulsed infrared stimulation. BACKGROUND Pulsed infrared laser excitation can directly evoke physiological responses in neuronal and other excitable cells in vivo and in vitro. Laser pulses could benefit patients with cochlear implants to stimulate the auditory system. METHODS Pulsed infrared lasers were used to study evoked optical auditory brainstem responses (oABRs) in normal hearing and deafened animals. Aslo, the morphology and anatomy of SGNs in normal hearing and deafened guinea pigs were compared. RESULTS By recording oABRs evoked by varying infrared laser pulse durations, it is suggested that degeneration of SGNs in deafened guinea pigs was associated with an elevated oABR threshold and with lower amplitudes. Moreover, oABR threshold decreased while amplitudes increased in both normal hearing and deafened animals as the pulse duration prolonged. Electron microscopy revealed that SGNs in deafened guinea pigs had swollen and vacuolar mitochondria, as well as demyelinated soma and axons. CONCLUSION Infrared laser pulses can stimulate SGNs to evoke oABRs in guinea pigs. Deafened guinea pigs have elevated thresholds and smaller amplitude responses, likely a result of degenerated SGNs. Short pulse durations are more suitable to evoke responses in both normal hearing and deafened animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbin Xie
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Hearing Research Key Lab of Health Ministry of China, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Chunfu Dai
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Hearing Research Key Lab of Health Ministry of China, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China ;
| | - Huawei Li
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Hearing Research Key Lab of Health Ministry of China, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China ;
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Khalin I, Alyautdin R, Kocherga G, Bakar MA. Targeted delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor for the treatment of blindness and deafness. Int J Nanomedicine 2015; 10:3245-67. [PMID: 25995632 PMCID: PMC4425321 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s77480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative causes of blindness and deafness possess a major challenge in their clinical management as proper treatment guidelines have not yet been found. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been established as a promising therapy against neurodegenerative disorders including hearing and visual loss. Unfortunately, the blood–retinal barrier and blood–cochlear barrier, which have a comparable structure to the blood–brain barrier prevent molecules of larger sizes (such as BDNF) from exiting the circulation and reaching the targeted cells. Anatomical features of the eye and ear allow use of local administration, bypassing histo-hematic barriers. This paper focuses on highlighting a variety of strategies proposed for the local administration of the BDNF, like direct delivery, viral gene therapy, and cell-based therapy, which have been shown to successfully improve development, survival, and function of spiral and retinal ganglion cells. The similarities and controversies for BDNF treatment of posterior eye diseases and inner ear diseases have been analyzed and compared. In this review, we also focus on the possibility of translation of this knowledge into clinical practice. And finally, we suggest that using nanoparticulate drug-delivery systems may substantially contribute to the development of clinically viable techniques for BDNF delivery into the cochlea or posterior eye segment, which, ultimately, can lead to a long-term or permanent rescue of auditory and optic neurons from degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Khalin
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Renad Alyautdin
- Scientific Centre for Expertise of Medical Application Products, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ganna Kocherga
- Ophthalmic Microsurgery Department, International Medical Center Oftalmika, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Muhamad Abu Bakar
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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BDNF-TrkB axis regulates migration of the lateral line primordium and modulates the maintenance of mechanoreceptor progenitors. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119711. [PMID: 25751404 PMCID: PMC4353718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BDNF and its specialized receptor TrkB are expressed in the developing lateral line system of zebrafish, but their role in this organ is unknown. To tackle this problem in vivo, we used transgenic animals expressing fluorescent markers in different cell types of the lateral line and combined a BDNF gain-of-function approach by BDNF mRNA overexpression and by soaking embryos in a solution of BDNF, with a loss-of-function approach by injecting the antisence ntrk2b-morpholino and treating embryos with the specific Trk inhibitor K252a. Subsequent analysis demonstrated that the BDNF-TrkB axis regulates migration of the lateral line primordium. In particular, BDNF-TrkB influences the expression level of components of chemokine signaling including Cxcr4b, and the generation of progenitors of mechanoreceptors, at the level of expression of Atoh1a-Atp2b1a.
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Cell-based neurotrophin treatment supports long-term auditory neuron survival in the deaf guinea pig. J Control Release 2015; 198:26-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Electroacoustic stimulation: now and into the future. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:350504. [PMID: 25276779 PMCID: PMC4168031 DOI: 10.1155/2014/350504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cochlear implants have provided hearing to hundreds of thousands of profoundly deaf people around the world. Recently, the eligibility criteria for cochlear implantation have been relaxed to include individuals who have some useful residual hearing. These recipients receive inputs from both electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS). Implant recipients who can combine these hearing modalities demonstrate pronounced benefit in speech perception, listening in background noise, and music appreciation over implant recipients that rely on electrical stimulation alone. The mechanisms bestowing this benefit are unknown, but it is likely that interaction of the electric and acoustic signals in the auditory pathway plays a role. Protection of residual hearing both during and following cochlear implantation is critical for EAS. A number of surgical refinements have been implemented to protect residual hearing, and the development of hearing-protective drug and gene therapies is promising for EAS recipients. This review outlines the current field of EAS, with a focus on interactions that are observed between these modalities in animal models. It also outlines current trends in EAS surgery and gives an overview of the drug and gene therapies that are clinically translatable and may one day provide protection of residual hearing for cochlear implant recipients.
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Zanin MP, Hellström M, Shepherd RK, Harvey AR, Gillespie LN. Development of a cell-based treatment for long-term neurotrophin expression and spiral ganglion neuron survival. Neuroscience 2014; 277:690-9. [PMID: 25088914 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), the target cells of the cochlear implant, undergo gradual degeneration following loss of the sensory epithelium in deafness. The preservation of a viable population of SGNs in deafness can be achieved in animal models with exogenous application of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3. For translation into clinical application, a suitable delivery strategy that provides ongoing neurotrophic support and promotes long-term SGN survival is required. Cell-based neurotrophin treatment has the potential to meet the specific requirements for clinical application, and we have previously reported that Schwann cells genetically modified to express BDNF can support SGN survival in deafness for 4 weeks. This study aimed to investigate various parameters important for the development of a long-term cell-based neurotrophin treatment to support SGN survival. Specifically, we investigated different (i) cell types, (ii) gene transfer methods and (iii) neurotrophins, in order to determine which variables may provide long-term neurotrophin expression and which, therefore, may be the most effective for supporting long-term SGN survival in vivo. We found that fibroblasts that were nucleofected to express BDNF provided the most sustained neurotrophin expression, with ongoing BDNF expression for at least 30 weeks. In addition, the secreted neurotrophin was biologically active and elicited survival effects on SGNs in vitro. Nucleofected fibroblasts may therefore represent a method for safe, long-term delivery of neurotrophins to the deafened cochlea to support SGN survival in deafness.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Zanin
- Bionics Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M Hellström
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - R K Shepherd
- Bionics Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - A R Harvey
- School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - L N Gillespie
- Bionics Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, Australia.
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Agterberg MJ, Versnel H. Behavioral responses of deafened guinea pigs to intracochlear electrical stimulation: a new rapid psychophysical procedure. Hear Res 2014; 313:67-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Aregueta-Robles UA, Woolley AJ, Poole-Warren LA, Lovell NH, Green RA. Organic electrode coatings for next-generation neural interfaces. FRONTIERS IN NEUROENGINEERING 2014; 7:15. [PMID: 24904405 PMCID: PMC4034607 DOI: 10.3389/fneng.2014.00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditional neuronal interfaces utilize metallic electrodes which in recent years have reached a plateau in terms of the ability to provide safe stimulation at high resolution or rather with high densities of microelectrodes with improved spatial selectivity. To achieve higher resolution it has become clear that reducing the size of electrodes is required to enable higher electrode counts from the implant device. The limitations of interfacing electrodes including low charge injection limits, mechanical mismatch and foreign body response can be addressed through the use of organic electrode coatings which typically provide a softer, more roughened surface to enable both improved charge transfer and lower mechanical mismatch with neural tissue. Coating electrodes with conductive polymers or carbon nanotubes offers a substantial increase in charge transfer area compared to conventional platinum electrodes. These organic conductors provide safe electrical stimulation of tissue while avoiding undesirable chemical reactions and cell damage. However, the mechanical properties of conductive polymers are not ideal, as they are quite brittle. Hydrogel polymers present a versatile coating option for electrodes as they can be chemically modified to provide a soft and conductive scaffold. However, the in vivo chronic inflammatory response of these conductive hydrogels remains unknown. A more recent approach proposes tissue engineering the electrode interface through the use of encapsulated neurons within hydrogel coatings. This approach may provide a method for activating tissue at the cellular scale, however, several technological challenges must be addressed to demonstrate feasibility of this innovative idea. The review focuses on the various organic coatings which have been investigated to improve neural interface electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew J. Woolley
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western SydneySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura A. Poole-Warren
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nigel H. Lovell
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rylie A. Green
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South WalesSydney, NSW, Australia
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Atkinson PJ, Wise AK, Flynn BO, Nayagam BA, Richardson RT. Viability of long-term gene therapy in the cochlea. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4733. [PMID: 24751795 PMCID: PMC3994438 DOI: 10.1038/srep04733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy has been investigated as a way to introduce a variety of genes to treat neurological disorders. An important clinical consideration is its long-term effectiveness. This research aims to study the long-term expression and effectiveness of gene therapy in promoting spiral ganglion neuron survival after deafness. Adenoviral vectors modified to express brain derived neurotrophic factor or neurotrophin-3 were unilaterally injected into the guinea pig cochlea one week post ototoxic deafening. After six months, persistence of gene expression and significantly greater neuronal survival in neurotrophin-treated cochleae compared to the contralateral cochleae were observed. The long-term gene expression observed indicates that gene therapy is potentially viable; however the degeneration of the transduced cells as a result of the original ototoxic insult may limit clinical effectiveness. With further research aimed at transducing stable cochlear cells, gene therapy may be an efficacious way to introduce neurotrophins to promote neuronal survival after hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Atkinson
- 1] Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew K Wise
- 1] Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [3] Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Bryony A Nayagam
- 1] Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachael T Richardson
- 1] Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [2] Department of Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia [3] Department of Medical Bionics, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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