Abstract
Objective: Cell transplantation provides a potential method to replace the irreversible loss of auditory hair cells and neurons. In this study, we will prove the intravenous route of stem cell transplantation to the inner ear and the efficacy of the umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in hearing restoration of deaf animal model.
Method: About 100,000 umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells which were tagged as PKH26 were infused to deaf guinea pigs intravenously. After 1 week and 3 weeks, auditory brainstem response test was checked and we obtained a guinea pig cochlea. A cryosection of each cochlea every 120 μm was obtained and we calculated stem cells for 3 sections of each animal.
Results: No hearing gain was shown after stem cell transplantation, but PKH26 tagging mesenchymal stem cell was found in Modiolus, Rosenthal’s canals and organ of Corti. Cells were not found in scala tympani, scala media, and scala vestibuli. Average number of cells in the inner ear was about 88 cells (59-123 cells/section). Most cells were found in spiral ganglion and migrated into the organ of Corti.
Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells could be delivered into the inner ear with intravenous infusion. Based on these results, intravenous injection of stem cells may be used in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss, regeneration of the auditory hair cells, and neurons.
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