title: Exploiting decellularized cochleae as scaffolds for inner ear tissue engineering.
abstract: Use of decellularized tissues has become popular in tissue engineering applications as the natural extracellular matrix can provide necessary physical cues that help induce the restoration and development of functional tissues. In relation to cochlear tissue engineering, the question of whether decellularized cochlear tissue can act as a scaffold and support the incorporation of exogenous cells has not been addressed. Investigators have explored the composition of the cochlear extracellular matrix and developed multiple strategies for decellularizing a variety of different tissues; however, no one has investigated whether decellularized cochlear tissue can support implantation of exogenous cells.
  
  
  
  As a proof-of-concept study, human Wharton's jelly cells were perfused into decellularized cochleae isolated from C57BL/6 mice to determine if human Wharton's jelly cells could implant into decellularized cochlear tissue. Decellularization was verified through scanning electron microscopy. Cocheae were stained with DAPI and immunostained with Myosin VIIa to identify cells. Perfused cochleae were imaged using confocal microscopy.
  
  
  
  Features of the organ of Corti were clearly identified in the native cochleae when imaged with scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Acellular structures were identified in decellularized cochleae; however, no cellular structures or lipid membranes were present within the decellularized cochleae when imaged via scanning electron microscopy. Confocal microscopy revealed positive identification and adherence of cells in decellularized cochleae after perfusion with human Wharton's jelly cells. Some cells positively expressed Myosin VIIa after perfusion.
  
  
  
  Human Wharton's jelly cells are capable of successfully implanting into decellularized cochlear extracellular matrix. The identification of Myosin VIIa expression in human Wharton's jelly cells after implantation into the decellularized cochlear extracellular matrix suggest that components of the cochlear extracellular matrix may be involved in differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mellott
authors.affiliation: Microscopy and Analytical Imaging Laboratory, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA.
authors.forename: Heather E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Shinogle
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 3010, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Nelson-Brantley
authors.affiliation: Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Detamore
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 3010, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA. hstaecker@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Hinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Staecker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003051:Cochlea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000081412:Myosin VIIa; D009218:Myosins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D000081412:Myosin VIIa; D009218:Myosins; C500943:Atoh1 protein, mouse; C000631455:MYO7A protein, human; C000631456:Myo7a protein, mouse
keywords: Cochlea; Decellularization; Gene delivery; Hair cells; Stem cells; Tissue engineering