Hearing restoration in a deaf animal model with transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from guinea pigs / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Can adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells be used to treat sensorineural deafness caused by hair celldegeneration and loss? OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from guinea pigs transplanted via the scala tympani on the recovery from sensorineural hearing in an animal model. METHODS:Intraperitoneal injection of gentamicin was performed to prepare sensorineural deafness models in guinea pigs. Then, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from guinea pig were transplanted via the scala tympani. After 1 and 3 weeks, auditory brainstem responses were detected to observe the hearing variation after adipose-derived mesenchymal stem celltransplantation. Meanwhile, the migration and distribution of EDU-labeled adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the cochlea were traced. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 1 and 3 weeks of implantation, the results from auditory brainstem response showed that the hearing was gradual y improved. At 1 week of implantation, most of the cells were distributed in the perilymph and some cells migrated to the Corti organ and attached to the basement membrane. At 3 weeks of implantation, cells migrated and attached to the basement membrane of Corti organ, furthermore, some cells migrated to the cochlear nerve. The longer the time of implantation, the less cellsurvived. The results indicate that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from guinea pig that are transplanted via the scala tympani can directly migrate and survive ultimately to improve the hearing.