Article
Biology
Tuo Shi, Marielle O. Beaulieu, Lauren M. Saunders, Peter Fabian, Cole Trapnell, Neil Segil, J. Gage Crump, David W. Raible
Summary: A single-cell RNA sequencing of zebrafish inner ear reveals the diversity of hair cells and non-sensory supporting cells. The study identifies a putative progenitor population for hair cells and supporting cells, as well as distinct hair and supporting cell types in different parts of the inner ear. The similarities between fish and mammals highlight the relevance of zebrafish as a model for studying inner ear-specific hair cell function and regeneration.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jia Luo, XueXin Lin, LiLing Li, JingQian Tan, Peng Li
Summary: We developed a novel nanocarrier Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 for improved delivery of dexamethasone to the inner ear. The carrier showed higher cell uptake efficiency and stronger protective effects compared to dexamethasone administration alone. In vivo experiments demonstrated that tympanic injection was the most effective route for drug delivery to the ear. Electrocochleography results indicated that Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8/Dex significantly improved hearing in mice. This study suggests that Au@CD-PAMAM-Arg8 may be a promising drug carrier for inner ear diseases.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qianyu Lin, Qiong Guo, Mingchao Zhu, Juanli Zhang, Bei Chen, Tingting Wu, Wei Jiang, Wenxue Tang
Summary: The treatment of inner ear disorders is a challenging task for researchers, but nanotechnology provides an innovative approach to improve inner ear therapy. This review discusses various nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for treating inner ear diseases and explores the factors influencing the therapeutic efficacy of nanomaterials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Jonathan Kil, E. Emily Harruff, Ryan J. Longenecker
Summary: The global impact of hearing loss and related auditory dysfunction, including tinnitus and hyperacusis, on human health is significant and growing, with research indicating that these conditions involve numerous genetic variations and molecular mechanisms. Investigational new drugs have been tested and repurposed in clinical trials, but there are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics for any auditory related indications.
Article
Cell Biology
Clara Draf, Taylor Wyrick, Eduardo Chavez, Kwang Pak, Arwa Kurabi, Anke Leichtle, Stefan Dazert, Allen F. Ryan
Summary: This study screened compounds targeting different aspects of autophagy for their effects on hair cell loss due to an ototoxic aminoglycoside, gentamicin. While some compounds showed protective effects on hair cells, the results also highlighted the complexity of autophagy events and their impact on hair cell responses.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ricardo Wegmann-Vicuna, Raquel Manrique-Huarte, Diego Calavia-Gil, Eduardo Martin-Sanz, Pedro Marques, Nicolas Perez-Fernandez
Summary: The reduction in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain measured with the video head-impulse test (vHIT) 1 month after the first intratympanic injection can predict the need for additional injections to control vertigo spells in patients with intractable Meniere's disease (MD). Single intratympanic treatment with gentamicin is effective and has limited impact on hearing in MD patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Derek S. Delaney, Lawrence J. Liew, Joey Lye, Marcus D. Atlas, Elaine Y. M. Wong
Summary: Despite progress in the development of therapeutics for hearing loss, drug delivery to the middle and inner ear remains challenging. Localized delivery and controlled release therapeutics are emerging as potential solutions, but invasive procedures limit continuous drug delivery. This review discusses the challenges in drug development for hearing disorders and explores novel drug delivery approaches, including hydrogel and nanotechnology-based therapeutics and device-mediated delivery methods.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
So-Young Jung, Subin Kim, Zion Kang, Soonmin Kwon, Juhye Lee, Joo Won Park, Kab Sig Kim, Dong-Kee Kim
Summary: Dexamethasone nanosuspensions administered via intratympanic injection demonstrated efficient and safe delivery of dexamethasone to the cochlea, with superior hearing-protective effects compared to Dex-SP.
Review
Cell Biology
Mingxuan Wu, Mingyu Xia, Wenyan Li, Huawei Li
Summary: Single-cell sequencing technology has enabled researchers to analyze gene expression variations in different cell types within the inner ear, leading to the discovery of tissue heterogeneity, novel cell subtypes, unique cell markers, and dynamic signaling pathways during development. These advancements offer new possibilities for inner ear research, with the vast potential of the technology yet to be fully explored.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Mark E. Warchol, Angela Schrader, Lavinia Sheets
Summary: The study revealed that macrophages migrate to the injured area of lateral line hair cells in zebrafish shortly after ototoxic injury, actively phagocytosing hair cell debris. However, chemical-genetic ablation of macrophages did not significantly impact hair cell regeneration, indicating that macrophages may not be essential for this process.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thi Phuc Le, Yang Yu, Hyuk Chan Kwon, Sun-Ae Shin, Yong-Ho Park, Kang Moo Huh
Summary: This study introduces a self-degradable prodrug blend thermogel system for the treatment of inner ear diseases. The system exhibits excellent thermogelling and controlled release characteristics, resulting in enhanced drug absorption and prolonged drug concentration in the inner ear. In a guinea pig model, significant hearing recovery was observed within 7 days after noise exposure.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stella Chin-Shaw Tsai, Kuender D. Yang, Kuang-Hsi Chang, Frank Cheau-Feng Lin, Ruey-Hwang Chou, Min-Chih Li, Ching-Chang Cheng, Chien-Yu Kao, Chie-Pein Chen, Hung-Ching Lin, Yi-Chao Hsu
Summary: The study demonstrated that UCMSC exosomes have protective effects in treating ototoxicity-induced hearing loss by promoting tissue remodeling and repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sunho Park, Yeon Ju Kim, Harshita Sharma, Dream Kim, Yonghyun Gwon, Woochan Kim, Sangbae Park, Cheol Woo Ha, Yun-Hoon Choung, Jangho Kim
Summary: In this study, the use of graphene oxide (GO) as a nanomaterial-based approach for enhancing inner ear organoids (IEOs) was proposed. GO was found to promote hair cell formation and show potential applications in drug testing. This nanomaterial-based approach may offer a reliable and effective method for building better IEOs in the future.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dan Cristian Gheorghe, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Alexandra Catalina Birca, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu
Summary: The inner ear is susceptible to infections which if not treated can lead to hearing loss or intracranial infectious complications. Nanoparticles have shown success in delivering medication to targeted cells effectively while reducing systemic side effects. This paper focuses on new nanoparticle-mediated treatments for inner ear infections.
Article
Developmental Biology
Yoshitomo Ueda, Takashi Nakamura, Jing Nie, Alexander J. Solivais, John R. Hoffman, Becca J. Daye, Eri Hashino
Summary: The inner ear sensory epithelia consist of hair cells and supporting cells, which arise from SOX2-expressing prosensory cells. The mechanisms underlying the diversification of these cell lineages remain unclear.