Neural stem cells for hearing impairment

Abstract

Over a quarter-billion people worldwide suffer from hearing-loss, a condition that can have enormous personal, social and economic implications. The majority of cases involve the loss of otic sensory hair cells and/or neurons. Although hearing aids and cochlear implants offer a palliative solution in many cases, no curative treatment exists. Stem cells, with their potential to generate different lineages, could offer a solution by replacing the lost cells. Here we show that human embryonic stem cells can be induced to differentiate into otic progenitors, and then into hair cell-like cells and neurons that display expected electrophysiological properties. More importantly, once these otic progenitors are transplanted into animals with induced hearing loss, they differentiate and elicit a significant recovery of auditory function. This is the first time that human stem cells have been shown to restore hearing and they should facilitate the development of a curative strategy for deafness.