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Wang J, Deng G, Wang S, Li S, Song P, Lin K, Xu X, He Z. Enhancing regenerative medicine: the crucial role of stem cell therapy. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1269577. [PMID: 38389789 PMCID: PMC10881826 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1269577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells offer new therapeutic avenues for the repair and replacement of damaged tissues and organs owing to their self-renewal and multipotent differentiation capabilities. In this paper, we conduct a systematic review of the characteristics of various types of stem cells and offer insights into their potential applications in both cellular and cell-free therapies. In addition, we provide a comprehensive summary of the technical routes of stem cell therapy and discuss in detail current challenges, including safety issues and differentiation control. Although some issues remain, stem cell therapy demonstrates excellent potential in the field of regenerative medicine and provides novel tactics and methodologies for managing a wider spectrum of illnesses and traumas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Deng
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Song
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Lin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zuhong He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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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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Chang HT, Heuer RA, Oleksijew AM, Coots KS, Roque CB, Nella KT, McGuire TL, Matsuoka AJ. An engineered three-dimensional stem cell niche in the inner ear by applying a nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel with a sustained-release neurotrophic factor delivery system. Acta Biomater 2020; 108:111-127. [PMID: 32156626 PMCID: PMC7198367 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the application of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in stem cell-replacement therapy remains promising, its potential is hindered by a low cell survival rate in post-transplantation within the inner ear. Here, we aim to enhance the in vitro and in vivo survival rate and neuronal differentiation of otic neuronal progenitors (ONPs) by generating an artificial stem cell niche consisting of three-dimensional (3D) hESC-derived ONP spheroids with a nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel and a sustained-release brain-derivative neurotrophic factor delivery system. Our results demonstrated that the transplanted hESC-derived ONP spheroids survived and neuronally differentiated into otic neuronal lineages in vitro and in vivo and also extended neurites toward the bony wall of the cochlea 90 days after the transplantation without the use of immunosuppressant medication. Our data in vitro and in vivo presented here provide sufficient evidence that we have established a robust, reproducible protocol for in vivo transplantation of hESC-derived ONPs to the inner ear. Using our protocol to create an artificial stem cell niche in the inner ear, it is now possible to work on integrating transplanted hESC-derived ONPs further and also to work toward achieving functional auditory neurons generated from hESCs. Our findings suggest that the provision of an artificial stem cell niche can be a future approach to stem cell-replacement therapy for inner-ear regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Inner ear regeneration utilizing human embryonic stem cell-derived otic neuronal progenitors (hESC-derived ONPs) has remarkable potential for treating sensorineural hearing loss. However, the local environment of the inner ear requires a suitable stem cell niche to allow hESC-derived ONP engraftment as well as neuronal differentiation. To overcome this obstacle, we utilized three-dimensional spheroid formation (direct contact), nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel (extracellular matrix), and a neurotrophic factor delivery system to artificially create a stem cell niche in vitro and in vivo. Our in vitro and in vivo data presented here provide sufficient evidence that we have established a robust, reproducible protocol for in vivo transplantation of hESC-derived ONPs to the inner ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Tsun Chang
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Rachel A Heuer
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew M Oleksijew
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kyle S Coots
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Christian B Roque
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kevin T Nella
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Tammy L McGuire
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611, USA
| | - Akihiro J Matsuoka
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA; Hugh Knowles Center for Hearing Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Carlson
- From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Musazzi UM, Franzé S, Cilurzo F. Innovative pharmaceutical approaches for the management of inner ear disorders. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2018; 8:436-449. [PMID: 28462501 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-017-0384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The sense of hearing is essential for permitting human beings to interact with the environment, and its dysfunctions can strongly impact on the quality of life. In this context, the cochlea plays a fundamental role in the transformation of the airborne sound waves into electrical signals, which can be processed by the brain. However, several diseases and external stimuli (e.g., noise, drugs) can damage the sensorineural structures of cochlea, inducing progressive hearing dysfunctions until deafness. In clinical practice, the current pharmacological approaches to treat cochlear diseases are based on the almost exclusive use of systemic steroids. In the last decades, the efficacy of novel therapeutic molecules has been proven, taking advantage from a better comprehension of the pathological mechanisms underlying many cochlear diseases. In addition, the feasibility of intratympanic administration of drugs also permitted to overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of the systemic drug administration, opening new frontiers in drug delivery to cochlea. Several innovative drug delivery systems, such as in situ gelling systems or nanocarriers, were designed, and their efficacy has been proven in vitro and in vivo in cochlear models. The current review aims to describe the art of state in the cochlear drug delivery, highlighting lights and shadows and discussing the most critical aspects still pending in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto M Musazzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo, 71, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Silvia Franzé
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo, 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Cilurzo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G. Colombo, 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Takeda H, Dondzillo A, Randall JA, Gubbels SP. Challenges in Cell-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Hearing Loss. Trends Neurosci 2018; 41:823-837. [PMID: 30033182 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss in mammals is an irreversible process caused by degeneration of the hair cells of the inner ear. Current therapies for hearing loss include hearing aids and cochlear implants that provide substantial benefits to most patients, but also have several shortcomings. There is great interest in the development of regenerative therapies to treat deafness in the future. Cell-based therapies, based either on adult, multipotent stem, or other types of pluripotent cells, offer promise for generating differentiated cell types to replace lost or damaged hair cells of the inner ear. In this review, we focus on the methods proposed and avenues for research that seem the most promising for stem cell-based auditory sensory cell regeneration, from work collected over the past 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Takeda
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto City, Japan; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Anna Dondzillo
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jessica A Randall
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Samuel P Gubbels
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Abstract
Here I identify two gaps in cochlear implants that have been limiting their performance and acceptance. First, cochlear implant performance has remained largely unchanged, despite the number of publications tripling per decade in the last 30 years. Little has been done so far to address a fundamental limitation in the electrode-to-neuron interface, with the electrode size being a thousand times larger than the neuron diameter while the number of electrodes being a thousand times less. Both the small number and the large size of electrodes produce broad spatial activation and poor frequency resolution that limit current cochlear implant performance. Second, a similarly rapid growth in cochlear implant volume has not produced an expected decrease in unit price in the same period. The high cost contributes to low market penetration rate, which is about 20% in developed countries and less than 1% in developing countries. I will discuss changes needed in both research strategy and business practice to close the gap between prosthetic and normal hearing as well as that between haves and have-nots.
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Warnecke A, Mellott AJ, Römer A, Lenarz T, Staecker H. Advances in translational inner ear stem cell research. Hear Res 2017; 353:76-86. [PMID: 28571616 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell research is expanding our understanding of developmental biology as well as promising the development of new therapies for a range of different diseases. Within hearing research, the use of stem cells has focused mainly on cell replacement. Stem cells however have a broad range of other potential applications that are just beginning to be explored in the ear. Mesenchymal stem cells are an adult derived stem cell population that have been shown to produce growth factors, modulate the immune system and can differentiate into a wide variety of tissue types. Potential advantages of mesenchymal/adult stem cells are that they have no ethical constraints on their use. However, appropriate regulatory oversight seems necessary in order to protect patients from side effects. Disadvantages may be the lack of efficacy in many preclinical studies. But if proven safe and efficacious, they are easily translatable to clinical trials. The current review will focus on the potential application on mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of inner ear disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasia Warnecke
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation, Germany
| | - Adam J Mellott
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ariane Römer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation, Germany
| | - Thomas Lenarz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany; Cluster of Excellence "Hearing4all" of the German Research Foundation, Germany
| | - Hinrich Staecker
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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Mecozzi L, Gennari O, Rega R, Grilli S, Bhowmick S, Gioffrè MA, Coppola G, Ferraro P. Spiral formation at the microscale by μ-pyro-electrospinning. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:5542-5550. [PMID: 27242030 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00156d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Spiral shapes occur frequently in nature as in the case of snail shells or the cochlea - the auditory portion of the inner ear. They also inspire many technological devices that take advantage of this geometry. Here we show that μ-pyro-electrospinning is able to control whipping instabilities in order to form spiralling fibres (down to 300 nm thick) directly on a support with true microscale regularity. The results show that polymer concentration plays a key role in producing reliable and long spirals. We investigate the cell response to these spiral templates that, thanks to their true regularity, would be useful for developing innovative cochlea regeneration scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mecozzi
- Institute of Applied Sciences & Intelligent Systems of the National Council of Research (CNR-ISASI), Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy.
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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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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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Schendzielorz P, Scherzed A, Rak K, Völker J, Hagen R, Mlynski R, Frölich K, Radeloff A. A hydrogel coating for cochlear implant arrays with encapsulated adipose-derived stem cells allows brain-derived neurotrophic factor delivery. Acta Otolaryngol 2014; 134:497-505. [PMID: 24646140 DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2013.878809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONCLUSION Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), encapsulated in a fibrin-collagen hydrogel for the coating of an electrode array, produce sufficient amounts of neurotrophic factors and may be suitable for enhancing the bioelectric interface of cochlear implants (CIs). OBJECTIVES To evaluate different hydrogel compositions loaded with ASCs with regard to delivery of neuroactive substances and mechanical suitability for the coating of a CI electrode array. METHODS ASCs were cultivated in hydrogels consisting of collagen and fibrin in varying fractions (0:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:0). The cell proliferation and viability, as well as the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and laminin were determined. Two hydrogel compositions were used as a coating for CI electrode arrays and tested in a scala tympani model. RESULTS Cell proliferation was best in collagen/fibrin hydrogel compositions (1:1 and 1:2) and increasing amounts of BDNF (up to 2.59 ng/ml) and laminin (up to 320 ng/ml) were detected. GDNF production was inconsistent and markedly lower. A sufficient coating of a CI electrode carrier in terms of stability and flexibility was achieved only with mixed compositions, although hydrogels formed bulky and uneven layers on the silicone surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schendzielorz
- Comprehensive Hearing Center, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wuerzburg , Germany
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Needham K, Minter RL, Shepherd RK, Nayagam BA. Challenges for stem cells to functionally repair the damaged auditory nerve. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:85-101. [PMID: 23094991 PMCID: PMC3543850 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2013.728583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the auditory system, a specialized subset of sensory neurons are responsible for correctly relaying precise pitch and temporal cues to the brain. In individuals with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing impairment these sensory auditory neurons can be directly stimulated by a cochlear implant, which restores sound input to the brainstem after the loss of hair cells. This neural prosthesis therefore depends on a residual population of functional neurons in order to function effectively. AREAS COVERED In severe cases of sensorineural hearing loss where the numbers of auditory neurons are significantly depleted, the benefits derived from a cochlear implant may be minimal. One way in which to restore function to the auditory nerve is to replace these lost neurons using differentiated stem cells, thus re-establishing the neural circuit required for cochlear implant function. Such a therapy relies on producing an appropriate population of electrophysiologically functional neurons from stem cells, and on these cells integrating and reconnecting in an appropriate manner in the deaf cochlea. EXPERT OPINION Here we review progress in the field to date, including some of the key functional features that stem cell-derived neurons would need to possess and how these might be enhanced using electrical stimulation from a cochlear implant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Needham
- University of Melbourne, Department of Otolaryngology, East Melbourne, Australia.
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