Inner ear transplantation of cochlear progenitor cells restores acute sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract

To investigate whether cochlear progenitor cell transplantation into the inner ear can restore kanamycin-induced acute ototoxic sensorineural hearing loss, we established an acute ototoxic injury model via intraperitoneal injection of kanamycin and a diuretic. Cell transplantation was performed on the fifth day after model establishment. Two weeks post-transplantation, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing assessed hearing recovery in mice. Subsequently, immunofluorescence staining of mouse cochleae analyzed the distribution and engraftment of transplanted cochlear stem cells within the inner ear. Results demonstrated that kanamycin caused acute loss of outer hair cells while significantly elevating hearing thresholds. Following cell transplantation, cochlear progenitor cells predominantly distributed in the scala tympani beneath the basilar membrane, with a small number colonizing the scala media. Concurrently, hearing thresholds partially recovered in transplanted mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that transplanted cochlear progenitor cells can survive and colonize within the cochlea, partially restoring hearing in mice with acute ototoxic damage.