Extracellular vesicles from human multipotent stromal cells protect against hearing loss after noise trauma in vivo

Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.262 · Published: December 21, 2020

Simple Explanation

Hearing loss is a common neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options. This study explores the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) as a novel therapeutic approach for inner ear diseases. The study demonstrates that MSC-derived EVs exhibit immunomodulatory activity and neuroprotective potential in vitro. They also show promise in protecting auditory hair cells and attenuating hearing loss in a noise trauma mouse model in vivo. These findings suggest that MSC-EVs could be a next-generation biological drug for treating inner ear damage, offering a cell-free therapy with protective therapeutic effects.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

Adult C57Bl/6 mice

Evidence Level

Level 2: Experimental study in animal model and in vitro experiments

Key Findings

1
Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) exerted immunomodulatory activity on T cells and microglial cells.
2
Spiral ganglion neuron survival was significantly improved by MSC-EVs in vitro.
3
Local application of MSC-EVs to the inner ear attenuated hearing loss and protected auditory hair cells from noise-induced trauma in vivo.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effect of extracellular vesicles derived from human stromal cells on the inner ear after noise trauma. The vesicles were characterized and tested in vitro in spiral ganglion neurons and in vivo in a mouse noise trauma model. The findings suggest that MSC-EVs are a potential therapeutic strategy for hearing loss by promoting neuron survival and protecting hair cells after acoustic trauma.

Practical Implications

Novel Therapeutic Approach

MSC-EVs offer a potential cell-free therapy for inner ear diseases, addressing the unmet need for effective treatments.

Clinical Translation Potential

The study provides a foundation for future clinical trials using human stromal cell-derived EVs to protect the inner ear against noise trauma.

Hearing Loss Prevention

MSC-EV treatment could potentially prevent or mitigate hearing loss caused by noise exposure, benefiting individuals at risk.

Study Limitations

1
Impact of the isolation method on EV efficacy
2
Effects observed in vitro and in vivo may be due to the combined effects of EVs and cytokine or miRNA profiles
3
In vivo localization of EVs after administration into the inner ear and their persistence is not assessed

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