Transplantation of neural differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells into the cochlea of an auditory-neuropathy guinea pig model

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 492 - 498
• Main Authors: Cho, Yong-Bum, Cho, Hyong-Ho, Jang, Sujeong, Jeong, Han-Seong, Park, Jong-Seong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.04.2011; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Animals; Cardiotonic Agents - toxicity; Cochlea - drug effects; Cochlea - pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Guinea Pigs; Hearing Loss, Central - chemically induced; Hearing Loss, Central - pathology; Hearing Loss, Central - therapy; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Neurogenesis; Original; Ouabain - toxicity; Spiral Ganglion - pathology; Transplantation, Heterologous; 의학일반; Spiral ganglion neuron; Auditory neuropathy; Hearing Loss; Mesenchymal Stem Cells
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.4.492

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of transplanted neural differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in a guinea pig model of auditory neuropathy. In this study, hMSCs were pretreated with a neural-induction protocol and transplanted into the scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea 7 days after ouabain injury. A control model was made by injection of Hanks balanced salt solution alone into the scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea 7 days after ouabain injury. We established the auditory neuropathy guinea pig model using 1 mM ouabain application to the round window niche. After application of ouabain to the round window niche, degeneration of most spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) without the loss of hair cells within the organ of Corti and increasing the auditory brain responses (ABR) threshold were found. After transplantation of neural differentiated hMSCs, the number of SGNs was increased, and some of the SGNs expressed immunoreactivity with human nuclear antibody under confocal laser scanning microscopy. ABR results showed mild hearing recovery after transplantation. Based on an auditory neuropathy animal model, these findings suggest that it may be possible to replace degenerated SGNs by grafting stem cells into the scala tympani.