Engraftment of embryonic stem cell-derived neurons into the cochlear modiolus.
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors for use as transplants for the replacement of the auditory primary neurons, spiral ganglion neurons. Mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors were implanted into the base of the cochlear modiolus of normal or deafened guinea pigs, which contains spiral ganglion neurons and cochlear nerve fibers. Histological analysis demonstrated the survival and neural differentiation of transplants in the cochlear modiolus and active neurite outgrowth of transplants toward host peripheral or central auditory systems. Functional assessments indicated the potential of transplanted embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors to elicit the functional recovery of damaged cochleae. These findings support the hypothesis that transplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors can contribute to the functional restoration of spiral ganglion neurons.
Okano
Takayuki
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Shogoin, Kyoto, Japan.
Nakagawa
Takayuki
T
Endo
Tsuyoshi
T
Kim
Tae-Soo
TS
Kita
Tomoko
T
Tamura
Tetsuya
T
Matsumoto
Masahiro
M
Ohno
Tsunehisa
T
Sakamoto
Tatsunori
T
Iguchi
Fukuichiro
F
Ito
Juichi
J
D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013136:Spiral Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous