Open AccessVestibular regeneration – experimental models and clinical implications
Author(s) -
Albu Silviu,
Muresanu Dafin F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01540.x
Subject(s) - inner ear , transdifferentiation , vestibular system , regeneration (biology) , hair cell , gene delivery , viral vector , genetic enhancement , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , transfection , stem cell , neuroscience , immunology , cell culture , gene , genetics , recombinant dna
Therapies aimed at the protection and/or regeneration of inner ear hair cells are of great interest, given the significant monetary and quality of life impact of balance disorders. Different viral vectors have been shown to transfect various cell types in the inner ear. The past decade has provided tremendous advances in the use of adenoviral vectors to achieve targeted treatment delivery. Several routes of delivery have been identified to introduce vectors into the inner ear while minimizing injury to surrounding structures. Recently, the transcription factor Atoh1 was determined to play a critical role in hair cell differentiation. Adenoviral‐mediated overexpression of Atoh1 in culture and in vivo has demonstrated the ability to regenerate vestibular hair cells by causing transdifferentiation of neighbouring epithelial‐supporting cells. Functional recovery of the vestibular system has also been documented following adenoviral‐induced Atoh1 overexpression. Experiments demonstrating gene transfer in human vestibular epithelial cells reveal that the human inner ear is a suitable target for gene therapy.