Researchers from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Biomedical Sciences have developed a method to turn human embryonic stem cells into ear cells. They then transplanted the ear cells into deaf gerbils, and, about 4 weeks later, obtained a functional recovery of around 46%.

As well as proving that stem cells can be used to repair damaged hearing, it is hoped the breakthrough, published in the journal Nature, will lead to new treatments in the future.

The model of hearing loss successfully treated by the scientists is similar to a human condition known as auditory neuropathy, a form of deafness in which the damage occurs at the level of the cochlear nerve. It is thought to represent up to 15% of the population across the world with profound hearing loss.

Dr Marcelo Rivolta, who led the project, said in the university’s press release, “We developed a method to drive human embryonic stem cells to produce both hair cells and neurons, or nerve cells, but we only transplanted the neurons. We then used a technique called auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR), which measures if the brain can perceive an electrical signal after sound stimulation. The responses of the treated animals were substantially better than those untreated, although the range of improvement was broad. Some subjects did very well, while in others recovery was poor.”

Auditory neuropathy is a type of deafness where the problem lies not primarily with the hair cells, but in the connection of the hair cells with the brain. Patients can be born with it and there are cases due to a genetic defect where a few responsible genes have already been identified. However, there is increasing evidence that environmental factors, such as jaundice at birth and noise exposure later in life, play an important role, at least as risk factors.

Dr Rivolta added, “We believe this is an important step forward. We have now a method to produce human cochlear sensory cells that we could use to develop new drugs and treatments, and to study the function of genes. And more importantly, we have the proof-of-concept that human stem cells could be used to repair the damaged ear.

“More research is needed. For instance, we want to understand the long term implications of this treatment and its safety. Moreover, in auditory neuropathy patients that retain their hair cells, the sole application of stem cells could be beneficial; those with more comprehensive damage may need a cochlear implant to compensate for the hair cell deficit. In these patients it is possible that stem cells should be administered in combination with a cochlear implant. It is therefore important to explore this interaction.”

The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and a UK research charity, Action on Hearing Loss.

SOURCE: The University of Sheffield