Stem cells as potential therapeutics for hearing loss

Abstract

Hearing impairment is a global health problem. Stem cell therapy has become a cutting-edge approach to tissue regeneration. In this review, the recent advances in stem cell therapy for hearing loss have been discussed. Nanomaterials can modulate the stem cell microenvironment to augment the therapeutic effects further. The potential of combining nanomaterials with stem cells for repairing and regenerating damaged inner ear hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) has also been discussed. Stem cell-derived exosomes can contribute to the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue, and the research progress on exosome-based hearing loss treatment has been summarized as well. Despite stem cell therapy’s technical and practical limitations, the findings reported so far are promising and warrant further investigation for eventual clinical translation.

Optogenetically modified human embryonic stem cell-derived otic neurons establish functional synaptic connection with cochlear nuclei

“…Fundamentally, stem cell therapy holds promise for treating neurosensory hearing loss. 23 , 44 , 45 It is still a challenge to isolate and derive enough and appropriate primary stem cells from patients for cell therapy, whereas pluripotent stem cells including hESCs and hiPSCs can provide an adequate source of cells. 23 , 42 , 46 hESCs were induced into SGN-like cells using a different technique based on the principles of developmental biology.…”

Potential uses of auditory nerve stimulation to modulate immune responses in the inner ear and auditory brainstem

“…Additionally, better mapping of the anatomical and physiological properties of the type II SGN and the innervating efferent fibers could also guide the application of bioelectronic medicine in auditory neuroscience. Finally, combined techniques involving stem cell regenerative therapies augmented with bioelectronic medicine approaches could potentially restore lost AN function (Tang et al, 2018;Guo et al, 2021;Sekiya and Holley, 2021;Fang et al, 2023). Our vision for the future relies on continuous improvements in both basic understanding of the system and new tools to manipulate the nerve function to produce the desired immunological outcomes in the cochlea and auditory system.…”