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Tan F, Li X, Li X, Xu M, Shahzad KA, Hou L. GelMA/PEDOT:PSS Composite Conductive Hydrogel-Based Generation and Protection of Cochlear Hair Cells through Multiple Signaling Pathways. Biomolecules 2024; 14:95. [PMID: 38254695 PMCID: PMC10812993 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010095] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cochlear implantology are exemplified by novel functional strategies such as bimodal electroacoustic stimulation, in which the patient has intact low-frequency hearing and profound high-frequency hearing pre-operatively. Therefore, the synergistic restoration of dysfunctional cochlear hair cells and the protection of hair cells from ototoxic insults have become a persistent target pursued for this hybrid system. In this study, we developed a composite GelMA/PEDOT:PSS conductive hydrogel that is suitable as a coating for the cochlear implant electrode for the potential local delivery of otoregenerative and otoprotective drugs. Various material characterization methods (e.g., 1H NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR, EIS, and SEM), experimental models (e.g., murine cochlear organoid and aminoglycoside-induced ototoxic HEI-OC1 cellular model), and biological analyses (e.g., confocal laser scanning microscopy, real time qPCR, flow cytometry, and bioinformatic sequencing) were used. The results demonstrated decent material properties of the hydrogel, such as mechanical (e.g., high tensile stress and Young's modulus), electrochemical (e.g., low impedance and high conductivity), biocompatibility (e.g., satisfactory cochlear cell interaction and free of systemic toxicity), and biosafety (e.g., minimal hemolysis and cell death) features. In addition, the CDR medicinal cocktail sustainably released by the hydrogel not only promoted the expansion of the cochlear stem cells but also boosted the trans-differentiation from cochlear supporting cells into hair cells. Furthermore, hydrogel-based drug delivery protected the hair cells from oxidative stress and various forms of programmed cell death (e.g., apoptosis and ferroptosis). Finally, using large-scale sequencing, we enriched a complex network of signaling pathways that are potentially downstream to various metabolic processes and abundant metabolites. In conclusion, we present a conductive hydrogel-based local delivery of bifunctional drug cocktails, thereby serving as a potential solution to intracochlear therapy of bimodal auditory rehabilitation and diseases beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tan
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China; (X.L.); (M.X.); (K.A.S.)
- Plasma Medicine and Surgical Implants Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China
- Department of ORL-HNS, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
- Department of ORL-HNS, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London WC2A 3PE, UK
| | - Xuran Li
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China; (X.L.); (M.X.); (K.A.S.)
- Plasma Medicine and Surgical Implants Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China
| | - Xiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology & Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China; (X.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Maoxiang Xu
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China; (X.L.); (M.X.); (K.A.S.)
- Plasma Medicine and Surgical Implants Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China
| | - Khawar Ali Shahzad
- Department of ORL-HNS, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China; (X.L.); (M.X.); (K.A.S.)
- Plasma Medicine and Surgical Implants Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200070, China
| | - Lei Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology & Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China; (X.L.); (L.H.)
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