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Birru B, Veit JGS, Arrigali EM, Van Tine J, Barrett-Catton E, Tonnerre Z, Diaz P, Serban MA. Hyaluronic acid-ibuprofen conjugation: a novel ototherapeutic approach protecting inner ear cells from inflammation-mediated damage. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1355283. [PMID: 38425644 PMCID: PMC10902153 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1355283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a substantial need of effective drugs for the treatment of hearing loss, which affects nearly 500 million individuals globally. Hearing loss can be the result of intense or prolonged noise exposure, ototoxic drugs, infections, and trauma, which trigger inflammatory signaling cascades that lead to irreversible damage to cochlear structures. To address this, we developed and characterized a series of covalent conjugates of anti-inflammatory drugs to hyaluronic acid (HA), for potential use as topical ototherapeutics. These conjugates were tested in in vitro assays designed to mirror physiological processes typically observed with acoustic trauma. Intense noise exposure leads to macrophage recruitment to the cochlea and subsequent inflammatory damage to sensory cells. We therefore first tested our conjugates' ability to reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. This anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages also translated to increased cochlear cell viability. In our initial screening, one conjugate, ibuprofen-HA, demonstrated significantly higher anti-inflammatory potential than its counterparts. Subsequent cytokine release profiling of ibuprofen-HA further confirmed its ability to reduce a wider range of inflammatory markers, to a greater extent than its equivalent unconjugated drug. The conjugate's potential as a topical therapeutic was then assessed in previously developed tympanic and round window membrane tissue permeation models. As expected, our data indicate that the conjugate has limited tympanic membrane model permeability; however, it readily permeated the round window membrane model and to a greater extent than the unconjugated drug. Interestingly, our data also revealed that ibuprofen-HA was well tolerated in cellular and tissue cytocompatibility assays, whereas the unconjugated drug displayed significant cytotoxicity at equivalent concentrations. Moreover, our data highlighted the importance of chemical conjugation of ibuprofen to HA; the conjugate had improved anti-inflammatory effects, significantly reduced cytotoxicity, and is more suitable for therapeutic formulation. Overall, this work suggests that ibuprofen-HA could be a promising safe and effective topical ototherapeutic for inflammation-mediated cochlear damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Birru
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Joachim G. S. Veit
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Montana Biotechnology Center (BIOTECH), University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Arrigali
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Jack Van Tine
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Emma Barrett-Catton
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Zachary Tonnerre
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Philippe Diaz
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Montana Biotechnology Center (BIOTECH), University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
| | - Monica A. Serban
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
- Montana Biotechnology Center (BIOTECH), University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States
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Pianigiani G, Roccio M. Inner Ear Organoids: Strengths and Limitations. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2024; 25:5-11. [PMID: 38334886 PMCID: PMC10907556 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-024-00929-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Inner ear organoids derived from differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells have recently gained momentum as tools to study inner ear development and developmental defects. An additional exciting aspect about this technology is represented by its translational potential, specifically, the use of organoids to validate therapeutics for hearing and balance restoration on human/patient-specific cells. This latter aspect will be briefly discussed here including opportunities and current limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pianigiani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - I.R.C.C.S. "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Marta Roccio
- Inner Ear Stem Cell Lab, Department Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, USZ Campus WAGI18, Wagistrasse 18, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland.
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Virk SM, Trujillo-Provencio C, Serrano EE. Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes for Differential Expression during Xenopus laevis Inner Ear Development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.29.573599. [PMID: 38260420 PMCID: PMC10802236 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.29.573599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background The genes involved in inner ear development and maintenance of the adult organ have yet to be fully characterized. Previous genetic analysis has emphasized the early development that gives rise to the otic vesicle. This study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap and identify candidate genes that are expressed as the auditory and vestibular sensory organs continue to grow and develop until the systems reach postmetamorphic maturity. Methods Affymetrix microarrays were used to assess inner ear transcriptome profiles from three Xenopus laevis developmental ages where all eight endorgans comprise mechanosensory hair cells: larval stages 50 and 56, and the post-metamorphic juvenile. Pairwise comparisons were made between the three developmental stages and the resulting differentially expressed X. laevis Probe Set IDs (Xl-PSIDs) were assigned to four groups based on differential expression patterns. DAVID analysis was undertaken to impart functional annotation to the differentially regulated Xl-PSIDs. Results Analysis identified 1510 candidate genes for differential gene expression in one or more pairwise comparison. Annotated genes not previously associated with inner ear development emerged from this analysis, as well as annotated genes with established inner ear function, such as oncomodulin, neurod1, and sp7. Notably, 36% of differentially expressed Xl-PSIDs were unannotated. Conclusions Results draw attention to the complex gene regulatory patterns that characterize Xenopus inner ear development, and underscore the need for improved annotation of the X. laevis genome. Outcomes can be utilized to select candidate inner ear genes for functional analysis, and to promote Xenopus as a model organism for biomedical studies of hearing and balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene M Virk
- Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM USA 88003
| | | | - Elba E Serrano
- Biology Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM USA 88003
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Petit C, Bonnet C, Safieddine S. Deafness: from genetic architecture to gene therapy. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:665-686. [PMID: 37173518 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Progress in deciphering the genetic architecture of human sensorineural hearing impairment (SNHI) or loss, and multidisciplinary studies of mouse models, have led to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying auditory system function, primarily in the cochlea, the mammalian hearing organ. These studies have provided unparalleled insights into the pathophysiological processes involved in SNHI, paving the way for the development of inner-ear gene therapy based on gene replacement, gene augmentation or gene editing. The application of these approaches in preclinical studies over the past decade has highlighted key translational opportunities and challenges for achieving effective, safe and sustained inner-ear gene therapy to prevent or cure monogenic forms of SNHI and associated balance disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Petit
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Institut de l'Audition, F-75012, Paris, France.
- Collège de France, F-75005, Paris, France.
| | - Crystel Bonnet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Institut de l'Audition, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Saaïd Safieddine
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Institut de l'Audition, F-75012, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, F-75016, Paris, France
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Barrallo-Gimeno A, Llorens J. Hair cell toxicology: With the help of a little fish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1085225. [PMID: 36582469 PMCID: PMC9793777 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1085225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing or balance loss are disabling conditions that have a serious impact in those suffering them, especially when they appear in children. Their ultimate cause is frequently the loss of function of mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear. Hair cells can be damaged by environmental insults, like noise or chemical agents, known as ototoxins. Two of the most common ototoxins are life-saving medications: cisplatin against solid tumors, and aminoglycoside antibiotics to treat infections. However, due to their localization inside the temporal bone, hair cells are difficult to study in mammals. As an alternative animal model, zebrafish larvae have hair cells similar to those in mammals, some of which are located in a fish specific organ on the surface of the skin, the lateral line. This makes them easy to observe in vivo and readily accessible for ototoxins or otoprotective substances. These features have made possible advances in the study of the mechanisms mediating ototoxicity or identifying new potential ototoxins. Most importantly, the small size of the zebrafish larvae has allowed screening thousands of molecules searching for otoprotective agents in a scale that would be highly impractical in rodent models. The positive hits found can then start the long road to reach clinical settings to prevent hearing or balance loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Barrallo-Gimeno
- Department de Ciències Fisiològiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Institut D'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain,*Correspondence: Alejandro Barrallo-Gimeno,
| | - Jordi Llorens
- Department de Ciències Fisiològiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,Institut D'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, a Stepping Stone to In Vitro Human Models of Hearing Loss. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203331. [PMID: 36291196 PMCID: PMC9600035 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensorineural impairment in humans. Yet despite very active research, no effective therapy other than the cochlear implant has reached the clinic. Main reasons for this failure are the multifactorial nature of the disorder, its heterogeneity, and a late onset that hinders the identification of etiological factors. Another problem is the lack of human samples such that practically all the work has been conducted on animals. Although highly valuable data have been obtained from such models, there is the risk that inter-species differences exist that may compromise the relevance of the gathered data. Human-based models are therefore direly needed. The irruption of human induced pluripotent stem cell technologies in the field of hearing research offers the possibility to generate an array of otic cell models of human origin; these may enable the identification of guiding signalling cues during inner ear development and of the mechanisms that lead from genetic alterations to pathology. These models will also be extremely valuable when conducting ototoxicity analyses and when exploring new avenues towards regeneration in the inner ear. This review summarises some of the work that has already been conducted with these cells and contemplates future possibilities.
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Dietz GP, Bähr M. Editorial: Special issue on inner ear biology. Mol Cell Neurosci 2022; 121:103753. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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