Developments in Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials for Therapeutic Delivery to Treat Hearing Loss.

Christopher Rathnam,Yu-Lan Mary Ying,Ki-Bum Lee,Sy-Tsong Dean Chueng,Kelvin Kwan

doi:10.3389/fncel.2019.00493

Christopher Rathnam, Yu-Lan Mary Ying + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00493

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Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide and is a growing concern in the aging population. Treatment using aminoglycoside antibiotics for infection and exposure to loud sounds contribute to the degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Cell loss impacts cochlear function and causes hearing loss in ∼ 15% of adult Americans (∼36 million). The number of individuals with hearing loss will likely grow with increasing lifespans. Current prosthesis such as hearing aids and cochlear implants can ameliorate hearing loss. However, hearing aids are ineffective if hair cells or spiral ganglion neurons are severely damaged, and cochlear implants are ineffective without properly functioning spiral ganglion neurons. As such, strategies that alleviate hearing loss by preventing degeneration or promoting cell replacement are urgently needed. Despite showing great promise from in vitro studies, the complexity and delicate nature of the inner ear poses a huge challenge for delivering therapeutics. To mitigate risks and complications associated with surgery, new technologies and methodologies have emerged for efficient delivery of therapeutics. We will focus on biomaterials that allow controlled and local drug delivery into the inner ear. The rapid development of microsurgical techniques in conjunction with novel bio- and nanomaterials for sustained drug delivery appears bright for hearing loss treatment.

Highlights

Drugs for Treating Inner Ear DiseaseSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), Meniere’s disease (MD), and autoimmune inner ear disease are prevalent inner ear disorders seen in the clinic
Autoimmune ear diseases (AIED) are characterized by the bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss that occurs over the course of weeks to months, with patients responding to the administration of immunosuppressants
While film-forming agents are not the same as hydrogels, they serve a similar purpose in slowing release kinetics of drug-loaded nanoparticles. These results showed that steady drug release can occur up to 30 days, and the particles in the film-forming agent remain localized on the round window for the same amount of time

Summary

Introduction

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), Meniere’s disease (MD), and autoimmune inner ear disease are prevalent inner ear disorders seen in the clinic. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss affects 1–6 people per 5,000 every year (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) and is characterized as an idiopathic hearing loss that occurs suddenly or rapidly over a few days. Meniere’s disease is a disorder of Biomaterials for Cochlear Drug Delivery the inner ear with unknown etiology. The symptoms of MD include episodes of spontaneous, recurrent vertigo accompanied by fluctuating hearing loss, intermittent tinnitus and characterized by endolymphatic hydrops (Havia et al, 2002; Nakashima et al, 2016). Autoimmune ear diseases (AIED) are characterized by the bilateral progressive sensorineural hearing loss that occurs over the course of weeks to months, with patients responding to the administration of immunosuppressants. Autoimmune inner ear diseases include Cogan syndrome, Wegener granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various vasculitis (Ruckenstein, 2004)

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