• Skip to main content

Hearing Loss Treatment Report

www.HearingLossTreatmentReport.com

admin

A Selection Protocol to Identify Therapeutics to Target NLRP3-Associated Sensory Hearing Loss [MCC950]

September 6, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
A Selection Protocol to Identify Therapeutics to Target NLRP3-Associated Sensory Hearing Loss

TITLE:
A Selection Protocol to Identify Therapeutics to Target NLRP3-Associated Sensory Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
Otol Neurotol. 2024 Sep 6. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004321. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We propose a selection process to identify a small molecule inhibitor to treat NLRP3-associated sensory hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: The NLRP3 inflammasome is an innate immune sensor and present in monocytes and macrophages. Once the inflammasome is activated, a cleavage cascade is initiated leading to the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in many causes of hearing loss, including autoimmune disease, tumors, and chronic suppurative otitis media. Although the target has been identified, there is a lack of available therapeutics to treat NLRP3-associated hearing loss.

METHODS: We created a target product profile with specific characteristics that are required for a compound to treat sensory hearing loss. We then looked at available small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors at different stages of development and selected compounds that fit that profile best. Those compounds were then tested for cell toxicity in MTT assays to determine the dosage to be used for efficacy testing. We tested efficacy of a known NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950, in a proof-of-concept screen on reporter monocytes.

RESULTS: Six compounds were selected that fulfilled our selection criteria for further testing. We found the maximum tolerated dose for each of those compounds that will be used for further efficacy testing. The proof-of-concept efficacy screen on reporter monocytes confirmed that those cells can be used for further efficacy testing.

CONCLUSION: Our selection process and preliminary results provide a promising concept to develop small molecule NLRP3 inhibitors to treat sensory hearing loss.

PMID:39284007 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000004321

SOURCE:
Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:39284007

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:39284007

DOI:
10.1097/MAO.0000000000004321

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2024-09-16T20:00:43Z

DATE – ADDED:
09/17/24 10:43AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39284007/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000004321

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/MAO.0000000000004321?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-09-17T14:43:12+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

COMMENT: Why is this September 16, not September 6? All dates point to Sep 16, yet original article shows Sep 6……… comment from Michael Sutton Sep 18 12:48pm, regarding anomaly

Gene Therapy To Restore Hearing: A New Portal

July 2, 2024

https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2024/07/02/gene-therapy-to-restore-hearing-a-new-portal/

Surface electrical stimulation of the auditory cortex preserves efferent medial olivocochlear neurons and reduces cochlear traits of age-related hearing loss

April 12, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Surface electrical stimulation of the auditory cortex preserves efferent medial olivocochlear neurons and reduces cochlear traits of age-related hearing loss

TITLE:
Surface electrical stimulation of the auditory cortex preserves efferent medial olivocochlear neurons and reduces cochlear traits of age-related hearing loss

CONTENT:
Hear Res. 2024 Apr 12;447:109008. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The auditory cortex is the source of descending connections providing contextual feedback for auditory signal processing at almost all levels of the lemniscal auditory pathway. Such feedback is essential for cognitive processing. It is likely that corticofugal pathways are degraded with aging, becoming important players in age-related hearing loss and, by extension, in cognitive decline. We are testing the hypothesis that surface, epidural stimulation of the auditory cortex during aging may regulate the activity of corticofugal pathways, resulting in modulation of central and peripheral traits of auditory aging. Increased auditory thresholds during ongoing age-related hearing loss in the rat are attenuated after two weeks of epidural stimulation with direct current applied to the surface of the auditory cortex for two weeks in alternate days (Fernández del Campo et al., 2024). Here we report that the same cortical electrical stimulation protocol induces structural and cytochemical changes in the aging cochlea and auditory brainstem, which may underlie recovery of age-degraded auditory sensitivity. Specifically, we found that in 18 month-old rats after two weeks of cortical electrical stimulation there is, relative to age-matched non-stimulated rats: a) a larger number of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive neuronal cell body profiles in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body, originating the medial olivocochlear system.; b) a reduction of age-related dystrophic changes in the stria vascularis; c) diminished immunoreactivity for the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament. d) diminished immunoreactivity for Iba1 and changes in the morphology of Iba1 immunoreactive cells in the lateral wall, suggesting reduced activation of macrophage/microglia; d) Increased immunoreactivity levels for calretinin in spiral ganglion neurons, suggesting excitability modulation by corticofugal stimulation. Altogether, these findings support that non-invasive neuromodulation of the auditory cortex during aging preserves the cochlear efferent system and ameliorates cochlear aging traits, including stria vascularis dystrophy, dysregulated inflammation and altered excitability in primary auditory neurons.

PMID:38636186 | DOI:10.1016/j.heares.2024.109008

SOURCE:
Hearing research

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:38636186

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38636186

DOI:
10.1016/j.heares.2024.109008

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2024-04-12T19:54:49Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/19/24 12:40AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38636186/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2024.109008

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595524000613?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-04-19T04:40:15+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Toward Optogenetic Hearing Restoration

April 9, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Toward Optogenetic Hearing Restoration

TITLE:
Toward Optogenetic Hearing Restoration

CONTENT:
Annu Rev Neurosci. 2024 Apr 9. doi: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070623-103247. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The cochlear implant (CI) is considered the most successful neuroprosthesis as it enables speech comprehension in the majority of the million otherwise deaf patients. In hearing by electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve, the broad spread of current from each electrode acts as a bottleneck that limits the transfer of sound frequency information. Hence, there remains a major unmet medical need for improving the quality of hearing with CIs. Recently, optogenetic stimulation of the cochlea has been suggested as an alternative approach for hearing restoration. Cochlear optogenetics promises to transfer more sound frequency information, hence improving hearing, as light can conveniently be confined in space to activate the auditory nerve within smaller tonotopic ranges. In this review, we discuss the latest experimental and technological developments of optogenetic hearing restoration and outline remaining challenges en route to clinical translation.

PMID:38594945 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-neuro-070623-103247

SOURCE:
Annual review of neuroscience

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:38594945

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38594945

DOI:
10.1146/annurev-neuro-070623-103247

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2024-04-10T06:00:43Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/10/24 06:39AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38594945/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-070623-103247

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-neuro-070623-103247?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-04-10T10:39:23+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

A single dose of AC102 restores hearing in a guinea pig model of noise-induced hearing loss to almost prenoise levels

April 1, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
A single dose of AC102 restores hearing in a guinea pig model of noise-induced hearing loss to almost prenoise levels

TITLE:
A single dose of AC102 restores hearing in a guinea pig model of noise-induced hearing loss to almost prenoise levels

CONTENT:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024 Apr 9;121(15):e2314763121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2314763121. Epub 2024 Apr 1.

ABSTRACT

Although sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a serious condition, there are currently no approved drugs for its treatment. Nevertheless, there is a growing understanding that the cochlear pathologies that underlie SSNHL include apoptotic death of sensory outer hair cells (OHCs) as well as loss of ribbon synapses connecting sensory inner hair cells (IHCs) and neurites of the auditory nerve, designated synaptopathy. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common subtype of SSNHL and is widely used to model hearing loss preclinically. Here, we demonstrate that a single interventive application of a small pyridoindole molecule (AC102) into the middle ear restored auditory function almost to prenoise levels in a guinea pig model of NIHL. AC102 prevented noise-triggered loss of OHCs and reduced IHC synaptopathy suggesting a role of AC102 in reconnecting auditory neurons to their sensory target cells. Notably, AC102 exerted its therapeutic properties over a wide frequency range. Such strong improvements in hearing have not previously been demonstrated for other therapeutic agents. In vitro experiments of a neuronal damage model revealed that AC102 protected cells from apoptosis and promoted neurite growth. These effects may be explained by increased production of adenosine triphosphate, indicating improved mitochondrial function, and reduced levels of reactive-oxygen species which prevents the apoptotic processes responsible for OHC death. This action profile of AC102 might be causal for the observed hearing recovery in in vivo models.

PMID:38557194 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2314763121

SOURCE:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:38557194

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38557194

DOI:
10.1073/pnas.2314763121

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 01 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2024-04-01T19:06:53Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/01/24 06:38PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38557194/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2314763121

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2314763121?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-04-01T22:38:34+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Potential role of modulating autophagy levels in sensorineural hearing loss

March 10, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Potential role of modulating autophagy levels in sensorineural hearing loss

TITLE:
Potential role of modulating autophagy levels in sensorineural hearing loss

CONTENT:
Biochem Pharmacol. 2024 Mar 7:116115. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Apoptosis and necrosis have been identified to play important roles in hearing loss, but they cannot account for all hearing loss. Autophagy, a cellular process responsible for cell self-degradation and reutilization, has emerged as a significant factor contributing to hearing loss, particularly in cases of autophagy deficiency. Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining cell health by exerting cytoprotective and metabolically homeostatic effects in organisms. Consequently, modulating autophagy levels can profoundly impact the survival, death, and regeneration of cells in the inner ear, including hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Abnormal mitochondrial autophagy has been demonstrated in animal models of SNHL. These findings indicate the profound significance of comprehending autophagy while suggesting that our perspective on this cellular process holds promise for advancing the treatment of SNHL. Thus, this review aims to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms of SNHL and the role of autophagy in the developmental processes of various cochlear structures, including the greater epithelial ridge (GER), SGNs, and the ribbon synapse. The pathogenic mechanisms of age-related hearing loss (ARHL), also known as presbycusis, and the latest research on autophagy are also discussed. Furthermore, we underscore recent findings on the modulation of autophagy in SNHL induced by ototoxic drugs. Additionally, we suggest further research that might illuminate the complete potential of autophagy in addressing SNHL, ultimately leading to the formulation of pioneering therapeutic strategies and approaches for the treatment of deafness.

PMID:38460910 | DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116115

SOURCE:
Biochemical pharmacology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:38460910

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38460910

DOI:
10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116115

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 09 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2024-03-07T16:18:15Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/10/24 12:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38460910/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116115

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006295224000984?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-03-10T05:38:25+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Lercanidipine’s Antioxidative Effect [Alleviates] Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

March 7, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Lercanidipine's Antioxidative Effect Prevents Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

TITLE:
Lercanidipine’s Antioxidative Effect Prevents Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 Mar 7;13(3):327. doi: 10.3390/antiox13030327.

ABSTRACT

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a prevalent form of adult hearing impairment, characterized by oxidative damage to auditory sensory hair cells. Although certain dihydropyridines, the L-type calcium channel blockers, exhibit protective properties against such damage, the ability of third-generation dihydropryidines like lercanidipine to mitigate NIHL remains unclear.We utilized glucose oxidase (GO)-treated OC1 cell lines and cochlear explants to evaluate the protective influence of lercanidipine on hair cells. To further investigate its effectiveness, we exposed noise-stimulated mice in vivo and analyzed their hearing thresholds. Additionally, we assessed the antioxidative capabilities of lercanidipine by examining oxidation-related enzyme expression and levels of oxidative stress markers, including 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE). Our findings demonstrate that lercanidipine significantly reduces the adverse impacts of GO on both OC-1 cell viability (0.3 to 2.5 µM) and outer hair cell (OHC) survival in basal turn cochlear explants (7 µM). These results are associated with increased mRNA expression of antioxidant enzyme genes (HO-1 , SOD1/2 , and Txnrd1 ), along with decreased expression of oxidase genes (COX-2 , iNOS ). Crucially, lercanidipine administration prior to, and following, noise exposure effectively ameliorates NIHL, as evidenced by lowered hearing thresholds and preserved OHC populations in the basal turn, 14 days post-noise stimulation at 110 dB SPL. Moreover, our observations indicate that lercanidipine’s antioxidative action persists even three days after simultaneous drug and noise treatments, based on 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal immunostaining in the basal turn. Based on these findings, we propose that lercanidipine has the capacity to alleviate NIHL and safeguard OHC survival in the basal turn, potentially via its antioxidative mechanism. These results suggest that lercanidipine holds promise as a clinically viable option for preventing NIHL in affected individuals.

PMID:38539861 | DOI:10.3390/antiox13030327

SOURCE:
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:38539861

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38539861

DOI:
10.3390/antiox13030327

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 28 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2024-03-07T10:47:41Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/28/24 06:42AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38539861/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13030327

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/3/327?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-03-28T10:42:23+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Use of CHEA to protect against age-related hearing loss: A proteomics study

February 25, 2024

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Use of the traditional Chinese medicine

TITLE:
Use of the traditional Chinese medicine “compound healthy ear agent” to protect against age-related hearing loss in mice: A proteomics study

CONTENT:
Heliyon. 2024 Feb 25;10(5):e26914. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26914. eCollection 2024 Mar 15.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) called “compound healthy ear agent” (CHEA) had anti-apoptosis effects in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, and could protect mice hearing against presbycusis or age-related hearing loss (AHL), as well as aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced ototoxicity. Because its mechanisms of action are still unclear, we investigated the mechanism of action of CHEA against AHL in mice using proteomics techniques.

METHODS: Eighteen C57BL/6J mice at 1 month of age were randomly divided into three groups: (A) drinking water until 2 months of age, K2M); (B) drinking water until 7 months of age to induce AHL, K7M; (C) drinking water containing CHEA daily until 7 months of age as treatment group, Z7M. At 2 or 7 months mice were sacrificed and their cochleae were removed for proteomics analysis.

RESULTS: The numbers of proteins with a false discovery rate (FDR) < 1% were respectively 5873 for qualitative and 5492 for quantitative statistics. The numbers of proteins with differential enrichment at least 1.5-fold (p < 0.05) were respectively 351 for K7M vs K2M groups, 52 for Z7M vs K7M groups, 264 for Z7M vs K2M groups. The differentially expressed proteins in the Z7M group were involved in synaptic molecular transmission, energy metabolism, immune response, antioxidant defenses, and anti-apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The TCM CHEA played a protective role against AHL in mice by regulating the expression of specific proteins and genes in cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Besides the pathways expected to be involved (antioxidant and anti-apoptosis), proteins related to immune response is a new finding of the present study. PMID:38434421 | PMC:PMC10907787 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26914 SOURCE: Heliyon PUBLISHER: PMID: pubmed:38434421 ID: 0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:38434421 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26914 DATE - PUBLISHED: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0500 DATE - DOI: 2024-02-25T23:01:30Z DATE - ADDED: 03/04/24 06:48AM LINK - PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38434421/ LINK - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26914 LINK - PUBLISHER: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2405844024029451?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com IMAGE: REFERENCE: Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2024-03-04T11:48:49+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

A Phase 1b/​2a, Study Evaluating the Safety, PK/​PD and Efficacy of NS101 in SSNHL Patients

February 8, 2024

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06249919

A Phase 1b/​2a, Study Evaluating the Safety, PK/​PD and Efficacy of NS101 in Healthy Volunteers and SSNHL Patients

Potential role of Bcl2 in lipid metabolism and synaptic dysfunction of age-related hearing loss

October 7, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Potential role of Bcl2 in lipid metabolism and synaptic dysfunction of age-related hearing loss

TITLE:
Potential role of Bcl2 in lipid metabolism and synaptic dysfunction of age-related hearing loss

CONTENT:
Neurobiol Dis. 2023 Oct 7:106320. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106320. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a prevalent condition affecting millions of individuals globally. This study investigated the role of the cell survival regulator Bcl2 in ARHL through in vitro and in vivo experiments and metabolomics analysis. The results showed that the lack of Bcl2 in the auditory cortex affects lipid metabolism, resulting in reduced synaptic function and neurodegeneration. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated enrichment of Bcl2 in specific areas of the auditory cortex, including the secondary auditory cortex, dorsal and ventral areas, and primary somatosensory cortex. In ARHL rats, a significant decrease in Bcl2 expression was observed in these areas. RNAseq analysis showed that the downregulation of Bcl2 altered lipid metabolism pathways within the auditory pathway, which was further confirmed by metabolomics analysis. These results suggest that Bcl2 plays a crucial role in regulating lipid metabolism, synaptic function, and neurodegeneration in ARHL; thereby, it could be a potential therapeutic target. We also revealed that Bcl2 probably has a close connection with lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production occurring in cochlear hair cells and cortical neurons in ARHL. The study also identified changes in hair cells, spiral ganglion cells, and nerve fiber density as consequences of Bcl2 deficiency, which could potentially contribute to the inner ear nerve blockage and subsequent hearing loss. Therefore, targeting Bcl2 may be a promising potential therapeutic intervention for ARHL. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ARHL and may pave the way for novel treatment approaches for this prevalent age-related disorder.

PMID:37813166 | DOI:10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106320

SOURCE:
Neurobiology of disease

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37813166

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37813166

DOI:
10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106320

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-10-07T15:28:04Z

DATE – ADDED:
10/10/23 12:37AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37813166/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106320

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0969996123003364?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-10-10T04:37:57+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Intranasal delivery of NGF rescues hearing impairment in aged SAMP8 mice

September 13, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Intranasal delivery of NGF rescues hearing impairment in aged SAMP8 mice

TITLE:
Intranasal delivery of NGF rescues hearing impairment in aged SAMP8 mice

CONTENT:
Cell Death Dis. 2023 Sep 13;14(9):605. doi: 10.1038/s41419-023-06100-8.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss impacts the quality of life and affects communication resulting in social isolation and reduced well-being. Despite its impact on society and economy, no therapies for age-related hearing loss are available so far. Loss of mechanosensory hair cells of the cochlea is a common event of hearing loss in humans. Studies performed in birds demonstrating that they can be replaced following the proliferation and transdifferentiation of supporting cells, strongly pointed out on HCs regeneration as the main focus of research aimed at hearing regeneration. Neurotrophins are growth factors involved in neuronal survival, development, differentiation, and plasticity. NGF has been involved in the interplay between auditory receptors and efferent innervation in the cochlea during development. During embryo development, both NGF and its receptors are highly expressed in the inner ears. It has been reported that NGF is implicated in the differentiation of auditory gangliar and hair cells. Thus, it has been proposed that NGF administration can decrease neuronal damage and prevent hearing loss. The main obstacle to the development of hearing impairment therapy is that efficient means of delivery for selected drugs to the cochlea are missing. Herein, in this study NGF was administered by the intranasal route. The first part of the study was focused on a biodistribution study, which showed the effective delivery in the cochlea; while the second part was focused on analyzing the potential therapeutic effect of NGF in senescence-accelerated prone strain 8 mice. Interestingly, intranasal administration of NGF resulted protective in counteracting hearing impairment in SAMP8 mice, ameliorating hearing performances (analyzed by auditory brainstem responses and distortion product otoacoustic emission) and hair cells morphology (analyzed by microscopy analysis). The results obtained were encouraging indicating that the neurotrophin NGF was efficiently delivered to the inner ear and that it was effective in counteracting hearing loss.

PMID:37704645 | DOI:10.1038/s41419-023-06100-8

SOURCE:
Cell death & disease

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37704645

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37704645

DOI:
10.1038/s41419-023-06100-8

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 13 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-09-13T13:02:14Z

DATE – ADDED:
09/14/23 12:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37704645/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-023-06100-8

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-023-06100-8?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-09-14T04:38:29+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Intra-Tympanic Steroid With PRP Combination in Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Tinnitus.

September 6, 2023

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
Intra-Tympanic Steroid With PRP Combination in Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Tinnitus.

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Conditions :   Sensorineural Hearing Loss;   Tinnitus

Intervention :   Drug: Combination Solution

Sponsor :   CMH RWP Combined Military Hospital RWP: Rawalpindi

Not yet recruiting

ID:
NCT06025097

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
09/06/23 08:50AM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
09/06/23 08:50AM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT06025097

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06025097

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

Loss of synaptic ribbons is an early cause in ROS-induced acquired sensorineural hearing loss

September 4, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Loss of synaptic ribbons is an early cause in ROS-induced acquired sensorineural hearing loss

TITLE:
Loss of synaptic ribbons is an early cause in ROS-induced acquired sensorineural hearing loss

CONTENT:
Neurobiol Dis. 2023 Sep 2:106280. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106280. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Considerable evidence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement in cochlear hair cell (HC) loss, leading to acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), were reported. Cochlear synaptopathy between HCs and spiral ganglion neurons has been gathering attention as a cochlear HC loss precursor not detectable by normal auditory evaluation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking ROS with HC loss, as well as the relationship between ROS and cochlear synaptopathy have not been elucidated. Here, we examined these linkages using NOX4-TG mice, which constitutively produce ROS without stimulation. mRNA levels of Piccolo 1, a major component of the synaptic ribbon (a specialized structure surrounded by synaptic vesicles in HCs), were decreased in postnatal day 6 NOX4-TG mice cochleae compared to those in WT mice; they were also decreased by noise exposure in 2-week-old WT cochleae. As noise exposure induces ROS production, this suggests that the synaptic ribbon is a target of ROS. The level of CtBP2, another synaptic ribbon component, was significantly lower in NOX4-TG cochleae of 1-month-old and 4-month-old mice compared to that in WT mice, although no significant differences were noted at 1.5- and 2-months. The decrease in CtBP2 plateaued in 4-month-old NOX4-TG, while it gradually decreased from 1 to 6 months in WT mice. Furthermore, CtBP2 level in 2-month-old NOX4-TG mice decreased significantly after exposure to cisplatin and noise compared to that in WT mice. These findings suggest that ROS lead to developmental delays and early degeneration of synaptic ribbons, which could be potential targets for novel therapeutics for ROS-induced SNHL.

PMID:37666363 | DOI:10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106280

SOURCE:
Neurobiology of disease

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37666363

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37666363

DOI:
10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106280

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 04 Sep 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-09-04T05:00:39Z

DATE – ADDED:
09/05/23 12:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37666363/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106280

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0969996123002954?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-09-05T04:38:17+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Key genes and potential drugs in age-related hearing loss: transcriptome analysis of cochlear hair cells in old mice

August 17, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Key genes and potential drugs in age-related hearing loss: transcriptome analysis of cochlear hair cells in old mice

TITLE:
Key genes and potential drugs in age-related hearing loss: transcriptome analysis of cochlear hair cells in old mice

CONTENT:
Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2023 Jun 30;69(6):67-74. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2023.69.6.11.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to dig new molecular mechanisms and medications for age-related hearing loss (ARHL or presbycusis) by extracting common results of publicly available datasets. Based on five datasets (GSE153882, GSE121856, GSE98070, GSE45026, and GSE98071) in studies of cochlear hair cells, we explored the interrelationships among presbycusis-related genes, including gene interactions, enrichment analysis, miRNA-mRNA matching pairs, and potential new drugs. Together, there were 25 common increased mRNAs. A total of 183 drugs can simultaneously target 11 of these mRNAs. In the interaction network, hub genes included: Cbln1, Prl, Mpp6 and Gh. Meanwhile, there were 74 common decreased mRNAs. The hub genes include Cdkn1a, Egr1, and Ctgf. After de-duplication, the 25 common increased mRNAs had 946 matched miRNAs, with 34 decreased ones; and the 74 decreased mRNAs had 1164 matched miRNAs, with 26 increased ones. Between the inhibitors of increased mRNAs and enhancers of decreased mRNAs, there were 26 common drugs. Besides, we discovered six key genes that may play a crucial role in the onset of presbycusis. In conclusion, by jointly analyzing multiple datasets, we found 25 common increased mRNAs (e.g., Cbln1, Prl, Mpp6 and Gh) and 74 common decreased mRNAs (Cdkn1a, Egr1, and Ctgf), as well as 34 potential therapeutic miRNAs and 26 pathogenic miRNAs, and three candidate drugs (calcitriol, diclofenac, and diethylstilbestrol). They may provide new targets and strategies for mechanistic and therapeutic studies in ARHL.

PMID:37605587 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2023.69.6.11

SOURCE:
Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37605587

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37605587

DOI:
10.14715/cmb/2023.69.6.11

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-08-17T17:40:54Z

DATE – ADDED:
08/22/23 06:39AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37605587/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14715/cmb/2023.69.6.11

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://cellmolbiol.org/index.php/CMB/article/view/4807?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-08-22T10:39:03+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Reversal of an existing hearing loss by gene activation in Spns2 mutant mice

August 8, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Reversal of an existing hearing loss by gene activation in Spns2 mutant mice

TITLE:
Reversal of an existing hearing loss by gene activation in Spns2 mutant mice

CONTENT:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Aug 22;120(34):e2307355120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2307355120. Epub 2023 Aug 8.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss is highly heterogeneous, but one common form involves a failure to maintain the local ionic environment of the sensory hair cells reflected in a reduced endocochlear potential. We used a genetic approach to ask whether this type of pathology can be reversed, using the Spns2tm1a mouse mutant known to show this defect. By activating Spns2 gene transcription at different ages after the onset of hearing loss, we found that an existing auditory impairment can be reversed to give close to normal thresholds for an auditory brainstem response (ABR), at least at low to mid stimulus frequencies. Delaying the activation of Spns2 led to less effective recovery of ABR thresholds, suggesting that there is a critical period for intervention. Early activation of Spns2 not only led to improvement in auditory function but also to protection of sensory hair cells from secondary degeneration. The genetic approach we have used to establish that this type of hearing loss is in principle reversible could be extended to many other diseases using available mouse resources.

PMID:37552762 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2307355120

SOURCE:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37552762

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37552762

DOI:
10.1073/pnas.2307355120

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-08-08T17:47:01Z

DATE – ADDED:
08/08/23 06:37PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37552762/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307355120

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2307355120?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-08-08T22:37:48+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Pharmaceutical characterization of probucol bile acid-lithocholic acid nanoparticles to prevent chronic hearing related and similar cellular oxidative stress pathologies

August 2, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Pharmaceutical characterization of probucol bile acid-lithocholic acid nanoparticles to prevent chronic hearing related and similar cellular oxidative stress pathologies

TITLE:
Pharmaceutical characterization of probucol bile acid-lithocholic acid nanoparticles to prevent chronic hearing related and similar cellular oxidative stress pathologies

CONTENT:
Nanomedicine (Lond). 2023 May;18(12):923-940. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0092. Epub 2023 Aug 2.

ABSTRACT

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss has been associated with oxidative stress. However, an antioxidant that passes effectively through the ear remains elusive. Method: Probucol (PB)-based nanoparticles were formed using a spray-drying encapsulation technique, characterized and tested in vitro . Results: Uniform, spherical nanoparticles were produced. The addition of lithocholic acid to PB formulations did not affect drug content or production yield, but it did modify capsule size, surface tension, electrokinetic stability and drug release. Cell viability, bioenergetics and inflammatory profiles were improved when auditory cells were exposed to PB-based nanoparticles, which showed antioxidant properties (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PB-based nanoparticles can potentially protect the auditory cell line from oxidative stress and could be used in future in vivo studies as a potential new therapeutic agent for sensorineural hearing loss. PMID:37529927 | DOI:10.2217/nnm-2023-0092 SOURCE: Nanomedicine (London, England) PUBLISHER: PMID: pubmed:37529927 ID: 0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37529927 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0092 DATE - PUBLISHED: Wed, 02 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400 DATE - DOI: 2023-08-02T09:25:45Z DATE - ADDED: 08/09/23 06:40AM LINK - PUBMED: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37529927/ LINK - DOI: https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2023-0092 LINK - PUBLISHER: https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/nnm-2023-0092?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com IMAGE: REFERENCE: Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-08-09T10:40:46+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Space Station-like Composite Nanoparticles for Co-Delivery of Multiple Natural Compounds from Chinese Medicine and Hydrogen in Combating Sensorineural Hearing Loss

July 28, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Space Station-like Composite Nanoparticles for Co-Delivery of Multiple Natural Compounds from Chinese Medicine and Hydrogen in Combating Sensorineural Hearing Loss

TITLE:
Space Station-like Composite Nanoparticles for Co-Delivery of Multiple Natural Compounds from Chinese Medicine and Hydrogen in Combating Sensorineural Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
Mol Pharm. 2023 Jul 28. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00177. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics and cisplatin (CDDP) can cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is closely related to oxidative stress and the acidification of the inner ear microenvironment. Effective treatment of SNHL often requires multifaceted approach due to the complex pathology, and drug combination therapy is expected to be at the forefront of modern hearing loss treatment. Here, space-station-like composite nanoparticles (CCC@mPP NPs) with pH/oxidation dual responsiveness and multidrug simultaneous delivery capability were constructed and then loaded with various drugs including panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), tanshinone IIA (TSIIA), and ammonia borane (AB) to provide robust protection against SNHL. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that carboxymethyl chitosan/calcium carbonate-chitosan (CCC) NPs and monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-PLGA (mPP) NPs can rendezvous and dock primarily by hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic forces may be involved. Moreover, CCC@mPP NPs crossed the round window membrane (RWM) and entered the inner ear through endocytosis and paracellular pathway. The docking state was basically maintained during this process, which created favorable conditions for multidrug delivery. This nanosystem was highly sensitive to pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) changes, as evidenced by the restricted release of payload at alkaline condition (pH 7.4) without ROS, while significantly promoting the release in acidic condition (pH 5.0 and 6.0) with ROS. TSIIA/PNS/AB-loaded CCC@mPP NPs almost completely preserved the hair cells and remained the hearing threshold shift within normal limits in aminoglycoside- or CDDP-treated guinea pigs. Further experiments demonstrated that the protective mechanisms of TSIIA/PNS/AB-loaded CCC@mPP NPs involved direct and indirect scavenging of excessive ROS, and reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed the high biocompatibility of the composite NPs, even after long-term administration. Collectively, this work suggests that composite NPs is an ideal multi-drug-delivery vehicle and open new avenues for inner ear disease therapies.

PMID:37503854 | DOI:10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00177

SOURCE:
Molecular pharmaceutics

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37503854

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37503854

DOI:
10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00177

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-07-28T11:09:19Z

DATE – ADDED:
07/28/23 01:07PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37503854/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00177

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00177?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-07-28T17:07:27+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Altered Fhod3 Expression Involved in Progressive High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Dysregulation of Actin Polymerization Stoichiometry in The Cuticular Plate

July 25, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Altered Fhod3 Expression Involved in Progressive High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Dysregulation of Actin Polymerization Stoichiometry in The Cuticular Plate

TITLE:
Altered Fhod3 Expression Involved in Progressive High-Frequency Hearing Loss via Dysregulation of Actin Polymerization Stoichiometry in The Cuticular Plate

CONTENT:
bioRxiv. 2023 Jul 25:2023.07.20.549974. doi: 10.1101/2023.07.20.549974. Preprint.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a common sensory impairment with comlex underlying mechanisms. In our previous study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in mice and identified a novel locus on chromosome 18 associated with ARHL specifically linked to a 32 kHz tone burst stimulus. Consequently, we investigated the role of Formin Homology 2 Domain Containing 3 (Fhod3), a newly discovered candidate gene for ARHL based on the GWAS results. We observed Fhod3 expression in auditory hair cells (HCs) and primarily localized at the cuticular plate (CP). To understand the functional implications of Fhod3 in the cochlea, we generated Fhod3 overexpression mice ( Pax2-Cre +/- ; Fhod3 Tg/+ ) (TG) and HC-specific conditional knockout mice ( Atoh1-Cre +/- ; Fhod3 fl/fl ) (KO). Audiological assessments in TG mice demonstrated progressive high-frequency hearing loss, characterized by predominant loss of outer HCs and decrease phalloidin intensities of CP. Ultrastructural analysis revealed shortened stereocilia in the basal turn cochlea. Importantly, the hearing and HC phenotype in TG mice were replicated in KO mice. These findings indicate that Fhod3 plays a critical role in regulating actin dynamics in CP and stereocilia. Further investigation of Fhod3-related hearing impairment mechanisms may facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for ARHL in humans.

PMID:37546952 | PMC:PMC10401921 | DOI:10.1101/2023.07.20.549974

SOURCE:
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37546952

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37546952

DOI:
10.1101/2023.07.20.549974

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 07 Aug 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-07-25T13:10:17Z

DATE – ADDED:
08/07/23 06:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37546952/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.07.20.549974

LINK – PUBLISHER:
http://biorxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.1101/2023.07.20.549974?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-08-07T10:38:17+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Long-term NAD+ supplementation prevents the progression of age-related hearing loss in mice

July 3, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Long-term NAD+ supplementation prevents the progression of age-related hearing loss in mice

TITLE:
Long-term NAD+ supplementation prevents the progression of age-related hearing loss in mice

CONTENT:
Aging Cell. 2023 Jul 3. doi: 10.1111/acel.13909. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common sensory disability associated with human aging. Yet, there are no approved measures for preventing or treating this debilitating condition. With its slow progression, continuous and safe approaches are critical for ARHL treatment. Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), a NAD+ precursor, is well tolerated even for long-term use and is already shown effective in various disease models including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It has also been beneficial against noise-induced hearing loss and in hearing loss associated with premature aging. However, its beneficial impact on ARHL is not known. Using two different wild-type mouse strains, we show that long-term NR administration prevents the progression of ARHL. Through transcriptomic and biochemical analysis, we find that NR administration restores age-associated reduction in cochlear NAD+ levels, upregulates biological pathways associated with synaptic transmission and PPAR signaling, and reduces the number of orphan ribbon synapses between afferent auditory neurons and inner hair cells. We also find that NR targets a novel pathway of lipid droplets in the cochlea by inducing the expression of CIDEC and PLIN1 proteins that are downstream of PPAR signaling and are key for lipid droplet growth. Taken together, our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of NR treatment for ARHL and provide novel insights into its mechanism of action.

PMID:37395319 | DOI:10.1111/acel.13909

SOURCE:
Aging cell

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37395319

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37395319

DOI:
10.1111/acel.13909

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-07-03T10:36:58Z

DATE – ADDED:
07/03/23 01:02PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37395319/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.13909

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acel.13909?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-07-03T17:02:15+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

In Silico Transcriptome-based Screens Identify Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors as Therapeutics for Noise-induced Hearing Loss [Preprint]

June 9, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
In Silico Transcriptome-based Screens Identify Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors as Therapeutics for Noise-induced Hearing Loss

TITLE:
In Silico Transcriptome-based Screens Identify Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors as Therapeutics for Noise-induced Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
bioRxiv. 2023 Jun 9:2023.06.07.544128. doi: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544128. Preprint.

ABSTRACT

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) represents a widespread disease for which no therapeutics have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Addressing the conspicuous void of efficacious in vitro or animal models for high throughput pharmacological screening, we utilized an in silico transcriptome-oriented drug screening strategy, unveiling 22 biological pathways and 64 promising small molecule candidates for NIHL protection. Afatinib and zorifertinib, both inhibitors of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), were validated for their protective efficacy against NIHL in experimental zebrafish and murine models. This protective effect was further confirmed with EGFR conditional knockout mice and EGF knockdown zebrafish, both demonstrating protection against NIHL. Molecular analysis using Western blot and kinome signaling arrays on adult mouse cochlear lysates unveiled the intricate involvement of several signaling pathways, with particular emphasis on EGFR and its downstream pathways being modulated by noise exposure and Zorifertinib treatment. Administered orally, Zorifertinib was successfully detected in the perilymph fluid of the inner ear in mice with favorable pharmacokinetic attributes. Zorifertinib, in conjunction with AZD5438 – a potent inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinase 2 – produced synergistic protection against NIHL in the zebrafish model. Collectively, our findings underscore the potential application of in silico transcriptome-based drug screening for diseases bereft of efficient screening models and posit EGFR inhibitors as promising therapeutic agents warranting clinical exploration for combatting NIHL.

HIGHLIGHTS: In silico transcriptome-based drug screens identify pathways and drugs against NIHL.EGFR signaling is activated by noise but reduced by zorifertinib in mouse cochleae.Afatinib, zorifertinib and EGFR knockout protect against NIHL in mice and zebrafish.Orally delivered zorifertinib has inner ear PK and synergizes with a CDK2 inhibitor.

PMID:37333346 | PMC:PMC10274759 | DOI:10.1101/2023.06.07.544128

SOURCE:
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37333346

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37333346

DOI:
10.1101/2023.06.07.544128

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 19 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-06-10T02:15:13Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/19/23 06:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37333346/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.06.07.544128

LINK – PUBLISHER:
http://biorxiv.org/lookup/doi/10.1101/2023.06.07.544128?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-06-19T10:38:27+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

A prestin-targeting peptide-guided drug delivery system rearranging concentration gradient in the inner ear: an improved strategy against hearing loss

June 7, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
A prestin-targeting peptide-guided drug delivery system rearranging concentration gradient in the inner ear: an improved strategy against hearing loss

TITLE:
A prestin-targeting peptide-guided drug delivery system rearranging concentration gradient in the inner ear: an improved strategy against hearing loss

CONTENT:
Eur J Pharm Sci. 2023 Jun 7:106490. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106490. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss is mainly due to outer hair cell (OHC) damage in three cochlear turns. Local administration via the round window membrane (RWM) has considerable otological clinical potential in bypassing the blood-labyrinth barrier. However, insufficient drug distribution in the apical and middle cochlear turns results in unsatisfactory efficacy. We functionalized poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) with targeting peptide A665, which specifically bound to prestin, a protein uniquely expressed in OHCs. The modification facilitated the cellular uptake and RWM permeability of NPs. Notably, the guide of A665 towards OHCs enabled more NPs perfusion in the apical and middle cochlear turns without decreasing accumulation in the basal cochlear turn. Subsequently, curcumin (CUR), an appealing anti-ototoxic drug, was encapsulated in NPs. In aminoglycoside-treated guinea pigs with the worst hearing level, CUR/A665-PLGA NPs, with superior performance to CUR/PLGA NPs, almost completely preserved the OHCs in three cochlear turns. The lack of increased low-frequencies hearing thresholds further confirmed that the delivery system with prestin affinity mediated cochlear distribution rearrangement. Good inner ear biocompatibility and little or no embryonic zebrafish toxicity were observed throughout the treatment. Overall, A665-PLGA NPs act as desirable tools with sufficient inner ear delivery for improved efficacy against severe hearing loss.

PMID:37295658 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106490

SOURCE:
European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37295658

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37295658

DOI:
10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106490

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 09 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-06-07T19:39:18Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/10/23 03:11PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37295658/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106490

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0928098723001203?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-06-10T19:11:26+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with age-related hearing loss

May 31, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with age-related hearing loss

TITLE:
Mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with age-related hearing loss

CONTENT:
FEBS Open Bio. 2023 May 31. doi: 10.1002/2211-5463.13655. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have revealed that age-related hearing loss (AHL) in Cdk5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1 (Cdk5rap1)-knockout mice is associated with pathology in the cochlea. Here, we aimed to identify mitochondrial alterations in the cochlea of Cdk5rap1-knockout mice with AHL. Mitochondria in the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and hair cells (HCs) were normal despite senescence; however, the mitochondria of types I, II, and IV spiral ligament fibrocytes were ballooned, damaged, and ballooned, respectively, in the stria vascularis. Our results suggest that the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in the lateral wall, rather than the loss of HCs and SGNs, leads to the onset of AHL. Our results provide valuable information regarding the underlying mechanisms of AHL and the relationship between aberrant transfer RNA modification-induced hearing loss and mitochondrial dysfunction.

PMID:37258461 | DOI:10.1002/2211-5463.13655

SOURCE:
FEBS open bio

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37258461

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37258461

DOI:
10.1002/2211-5463.13655

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 31 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-06-01T02:25:44Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/01/23 01:04AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37258461/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13655

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2211-5463.13655?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-06-01T05:04:23+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 in cell fate decisions

May 31, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 in cell fate decisions

TITLE:
Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 in cell fate decisions

CONTENT:
Hear Res. 2023 Sep 1;436:108813. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108813. Epub 2023 May 30.

ABSTRACT

Loss of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the cochlea causes hearing loss. Understanding the mechanisms of cell fate transition accelerates efforts that employ directed differentiation and lineage conversion to repopulate lost SGNs. Proposed strategies to regenerate SGNs rely on altering cell fate by activating transcriptional regulatory networks, but repressing networks for alternative cell lineages is also essential. Epigenomic changes during cell fate transitions suggest that CHD4 represses gene expression by altering the chromatin status. Despite limited direct investigations, human genetic studies implicate CHD4 function in the inner ear. The possibility of CHD4 in suppressing alternative cell fates to promote inner ear regeneration is discussed.

PMID:37329862 | DOI:10.1016/j.heares.2023.108813

SOURCE:
Hearing research

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37329862

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37329862

DOI:
10.1016/j.heares.2023.108813

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 17 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-05-31T04:34:19Z

DATE – ADDED:
07/12/23 06:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37329862/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2023.108813

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595523001259?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-07-12T10:38:27+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Development and evaluation of helper dependent adenoviral vectors for inner ear gene delivery

May 26, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Development and evaluation of helper dependent adenoviral vectors for inner ear gene delivery

TITLE:
Development and evaluation of helper dependent adenoviral vectors for inner ear gene delivery

CONTENT:
Hear Res. 2023 Aug;435:108819. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108819. Epub 2023 May 26.

ABSTRACT

Viral vector gene therapy is an attractive strategy to treat hearing loss. Since hearing loss is due to a variety of pathogenic signaling cascades in distinct cells, viral vectors that can express large or multiple genes in a cell-type specific manner are needed. Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HdAd) are safe viral vectors with a large packaging capacity (-36 kb). Despite the potential of HdAd, its use in the inner ear is largely unexplored. Therefore, to evaluate the utility of HdAd for inner ear gene therapy, we created two HdAd vectors that use distinct cellular receptors for transduction: HdAd Serotype Type 5 (HdAd5), the Coxsackie-Adenovirus Receptor (CAR) and a chimeric HdAd 5/35, the human CD46+ receptor (hCD46). We delivered these vectors through the round window (RW) or scala media in CBA/J, C57Bl6/J and hCD46 transgenic mice. Immunostaining in conjunction with confocal microscopy of cochlear sections revealed that multiple cell types were transduced using HdAd5 and HdAd 5/35 in all mouse models. Delivery of HdAd5 via RW in the C57Bl/6 J or CBA/J cochlea resulted in transduced mesenchymal cells of the peri‑lymphatic lining and modiolar region while scala media delivery resulted in transduction of supporting cells and inner hair cells. Hd5/35 transduction was CD46 dependent and RW delivery of HdAd5/35 in the hCD46 mouse model resulted in a similar transduction pattern as HdAd5 in the peri‑lymphatic lining and modiolar region in the cochlea. Our data indicate that HdAd vectors are promising vectors for use in inner ear gene therapy to treat some causes of hearing loss.

PMID:37276687 | DOI:10.1016/j.heares.2023.108819

SOURCE:
Hearing research

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37276687

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37276687

DOI:
10.1016/j.heares.2023.108819

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-05-26T06:25:37Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/19/23 01:05PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37276687/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2023.108819

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595523001314?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-06-19T17:05:20+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

The applications of Targeted Delivery for Gene Therapies in Hearing Loss

May 22, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
The applications of Targeted Delivery for Gene Therapies in Hearing Loss

TITLE:
The applications of Targeted Delivery for Gene Therapies in Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
J Drug Target. 2023 May 21:1-22. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2023.2216900. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Gene therapies are becoming more abundantly researched for use in a multitude of potential treatments, including for hearing loss. Hearing loss is a condition which impacts an increasing number of the population each year, with significant burdens associated. As such, this review will present the concept that delivering a gene effectively to the inner ear may assist in expanding novel treatment options and improving patient outcomes. Historically, several drawbacks have been associated with the use of gene therapies, some of which may be overcome via targeted delivery. Targeted delivery has the potential to alleviate off-target effects and permit a safer delivery profile. Viral vectors have often been described as a delivery method, however, there is an emerging depiction of the potential for nanotechnology to be used. Resulting nanoparticles may also be tuned to allow for targeted delivery. Therefore, this review will focus on hearing loss, gene delivery techniques and inner ear targets, including highlighting promising research. Targeted delivery is a key concept to permitting gene delivery in a safe effective manner, however, further research is required, both in the determination of genes to use in functional hearing recovery and formulating nanoparticles for targeted delivery.

PMID:37211674 | DOI:10.1080/1061186X.2023.2216900

SOURCE:
Journal of drug targeting

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37211674

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37211674

DOI:
10.1080/1061186X.2023.2216900

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 22 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-05-22T04:39:23Z

DATE – ADDED:
05/22/23 06:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37211674/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/1061186X.2023.2216900

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1061186X.2023.2216900?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-05-22T10:38:48+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

The applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in genetic hearing loss

May 20, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
The applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in genetic hearing loss

TITLE:
The applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in genetic hearing loss

CONTENT:
Cell Biosci. 2023 May 20;13(1):93. doi: 10.1186/s13578-023-01021-7.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss (HL) can be caused by a number of different genetic factors. Non-syndromic HL refers that HL occurs as an isolated symptom in an individual, whereas syndromic HL refers that HL is associated with other symptoms or abnormalities. To date, more than 140 genes have been identified as being associated with non-syndromic HL, and approximately 400 genetic syndromes can include HL as one of the clinical symptoms. However, no gene therapeutic approaches are currently available to restore or improve hearing. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity to elucidate the possible pathogenesis of specific mutations in HL-associated genes and to investigate the promising therapeutic strategies for genetic HL. The development of the CRISPR/Cas system has revolutionized the field of genome engineering, which has become an efficacious and cost-effective tool to foster genetic HL research. Moreover, several in vivo studies have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of the CRISPR/Cas-mediated treatments for specific genetic HL. In this review, we briefly introduce the progress in CRISPR/Cas technique as well as the understanding of genetic HL, and then we detail the recent achievements of CRISPR/Cas technique in disease modeling and therapeutic strategies for genetic HL. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges for the application of CRISPR/Cas technique in future clinical treatments.

PMID:37210555 | DOI:10.1186/s13578-023-01021-7

SOURCE:
Cell & bioscience

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37210555

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37210555

DOI:
10.1186/s13578-023-01021-7

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 20 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-05-20T07:01:33Z

DATE – ADDED:
05/21/23 01:01AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37210555/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13578-023-01021-7

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://cellandbioscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13578-023-01021-7?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-05-21T05:01:16+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Peroxisome Deficiency in Cochlear Hair Cells Causes Hearing Loss by Deregulating BK Channels

May 12, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Peroxisome Deficiency in Cochlear Hair Cells Causes Hearing Loss by Deregulating BK Channels

TITLE:
Peroxisome Deficiency in Cochlear Hair Cells Causes Hearing Loss by Deregulating BK Channels

CONTENT:
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2023 May 12:e2300402. doi: 10.1002/advs.202300402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The peroxisome is a ubiquitous organelle in rodent cells and plays important roles in a variety of cell types and tissues. It is previously indicated that peroxisomes are associated with auditory function, and patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are found to have hearing dysfunction, but the specific role of peroxisomes in hearing remains unclear. In this study, two peroxisome-deficient mouse models (Atoh1-Pex5-/- and Pax2-Pex5-/- ) are established and it is found that peroxisomes mainly function in the hair cells of cochleae. Furthermore, peroxisome deficiency-mediated negative effects on hearing do not involve mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. Although the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is shown to function through peroxisomes, no changes are observed in the mTORC1 signaling in Atoh1-Pex5-/- mice when compared to wild-type (WT) mice. However, the expression of large-conductance, voltage-, and Ca2+ -activated K+ (BK) channels is less in Atoh1-Pex5-/- mice as compared to the WT mice, and the administration of activators of BK channels (NS-1619 and NS-11021) restores the auditory function in knockout mice. These results suggest that peroxisomes play an essential role in cochlear hair cells by regulating BK channels. Hence, BK channels appear as the probable target for treating peroxisome-related hearing diseases such as PBDs.

PMID:37171794 | DOI:10.1002/advs.202300402

SOURCE:
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37171794

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37171794

DOI:
10.1002/advs.202300402

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 12 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-05-12T15:33:07Z

DATE – ADDED:
05/12/23 01:04PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37171794/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202300402

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202300402?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-05-12T17:04:48+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Piceatannol protects against age-related hearing loss by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis and inflammation through regulated Caspase11-GSDMD pathway

April 24, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Piceatannol protects against age-related hearing loss by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis and inflammation through regulated Caspase11-GSDMD pathway

TITLE:
Piceatannol protects against age-related hearing loss by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis and inflammation through regulated Caspase11-GSDMD pathway

CONTENT:
Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Apr 24;163:114704. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114704. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a common issue associated with aging. One of the typical causes of hearing loss is the damage to inner ear hair cells. In addition, oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to ARHL. To avoid excessive inflammatory responses, non-classical scorch death pathway by cell membrane lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates of caspase-11. Piceatannol (PCT) is also known for anti-tumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, the protective effect of piceatannol (PCT) on ARHL is unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying protective effect of PCT on ARHL-induced inner ear hair cell damage. In vivo experiments showed that PCT could protect mice from inflammatory aging-induced hearing loss as well as from inner hair cells (IHC) and spiral ganglion (SG) deficits. In addition, inflammatory vesicle inhibitor BAY11-7082 ameliorated ARHL, inhibited NLRP3 and reduced GSDMD expression. In in vitro experiments we used LPS and D-gal to simulate the aging inflammatory environment. The results showed that intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, expression of Caspase-11, NLRP3, and GSDMD were significantly increased, yet treatment with PCT or BAY11-7082 significantly improved HEI-OC-1 cell injury while reducing inflammation-associated protein expression as well as the occurrence of pyroptosis. In conclusion, these results suggest a protective role for PCT against ARHL, possibly through Caspase-11-GSDMD pathway. Our findings may provide a new target and theoretical basis for hearing loss treatment using PCT.

PMID:37100013 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114704

SOURCE:
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37100013

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37100013

DOI:
10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114704

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 26 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-04-24T09:01:12Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/27/23 12:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37100013/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114704

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0753332223004924?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-04-27T04:38:01+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Antioxidant Therapy as an Effective Strategy against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: From Experimental Models to Clinic

April 18, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Antioxidant Therapy as an Effective Strategy against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: From Experimental Models to Clinic

TITLE:
Antioxidant Therapy as an Effective Strategy against Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: From Experimental Models to Clinic

CONTENT:
Life (Basel). 2023 Apr 17;13(4):1035. doi: 10.3390/life13041035.

ABSTRACT

Cochlear redox unbalance is the main mechanism of damage involved in the pathogenesis of noise-induced-hearing loss. Indeed, the increased free radical production, in conjunction with a reduced efficacy of the endogenous antioxidant system, plays a key role in cochlear damage induced by noise exposure. For this reason, several studies focused on the possibility to use exogenous antioxidant to prevent or attenuate noise-induce injury. Thus, several antioxidant molecules, alone or in combination with other compounds, have been tested in both experimental and clinical settings. In our findings, we tested the protective effects of several antioxidant enzymes, spanning from organic compounds to natural compounds, such as nutraceuticals of polyphenols. In this review, we summarize and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of antioxidant supplementation focusing on polyphenols, Q-Ter, the soluble form of CoQ10, Vitamin E and N-acetil-cysteine, which showed great otoprotective effects in different animal models of noise induced hearing loss and which has been proposed in clinical trials.

PMID:37109564 | DOI:10.3390/life13041035

SOURCE:
Life (Basel, Switzerland)

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37109564

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37109564

DOI:
10.3390/life13041035

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-04-18T06:59:06Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/28/23 06:39AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37109564/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041035

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/4/1035?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-04-28T10:39:16+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Reprogramming by drug-like molecules leads to regeneration of cochlear hair cell-like cells in adult mice

April 17, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Reprogramming by drug-like molecules leads to regeneration of cochlear hair cell-like cells in adult mice

TITLE:
Reprogramming by drug-like molecules leads to regeneration of cochlear hair cell-like cells in adult mice

CONTENT:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Apr 25;120(17):e2215253120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2215253120. Epub 2023 Apr 17.

ABSTRACT

Strategies to overcome irreversible cochlear hair cell (HC) damage and loss in mammals are of vital importance to hearing recovery in patients with permanent hearing loss. In mature mammalian cochlea, co-activation of Myc and Notch1 reprograms supporting cells (SC) and promotes HC regeneration. Understanding of the underlying mechanisms may aid the development of a clinically relevant approach to achieve HC regeneration in the nontransgenic mature cochlea. By single-cell RNAseq, we show that MYC/NICD “rejuvenates” the adult mouse cochlea by activating multiple pathways including Wnt and cyclase activator of cyclic AMP (cAMP), whose blockade suppresses HC-like cell regeneration despite Myc /Notch activation. We screened and identified a combination (the cocktail) of drug-like molecules composing of small molecules and small interfering RNAs to activate the pathways of Myc, Notch1, Wnt and cAMP. We show that the cocktail effectively replaces Myc and Notch1 transgenes and reprograms fully mature wild-type (WT) SCs for HC-like cells regeneration in vitro. Finally, we demonstrate the cocktail is capable of reprogramming adult cochlea for HC-like cells regeneration in WT mice with HC loss in vivo. Our study identifies a strategy by a clinically relevant approach to reprogram mature inner ear for HC-like cells regeneration, laying the foundation for hearing restoration by HC regeneration.

PMID:37068229 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2215253120

SOURCE:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37068229

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37068229

DOI:
10.1073/pnas.2215253120

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-04-17T19:12:29Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/17/23 06:38PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37068229/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215253120

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2215253120?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-04-17T22:38:19+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Enhanced survival of hypoimmunogenic otic progenitors following intracochlear xenotransplantation: repercussions for stem cell therapy in hearing loss models

April 12, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Enhanced survival of hypoimmunogenic otic progenitors following intracochlear xenotransplantation: repercussions for stem cell therapy in hearing loss models

TITLE:
Enhanced survival of hypoimmunogenic otic progenitors following intracochlear xenotransplantation: repercussions for stem cell therapy in hearing loss models

CONTENT:
Stem Cell Res Ther. 2023 Apr 12;14(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s13287-023-03304-9.

ABSTRACT

Stem cell replacement holds the potential for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) treatment. However, its translation into clinical practice requires strategies for improving stem cell survival following intracochlear transplantation. Considering recent findings showing that the inner ear contains a resident population of immune cells, we hypothesized that immune evasion would improve the survival and residence time of transplanted stem cells in the cochlea, potentially leading to better outcomes. To test this, we leveraged genetic engineering techniques to develop hypoimmunogenic human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hi-iPSC), which lack human leukocyte antigen expression. We found that gene editing does not affect the biological properties of hi-iPSCs, including their capacity to differentiate into otic neural progenitors (ONPs). Compared to wild-type ONPs, more hypoimmunogenic ONPs (derived from hi-iPSCs) were found in the inner ear of immunocompetent mice ten days following cochlear xenotransplantation. This approach may open a new avenue for experimental and clinical SNHL treatments.

PMID:37046329 | DOI:10.1186/s13287-023-03304-9

SOURCE:
Stem cell research & therapy

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37046329

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37046329

DOI:
10.1186/s13287-023-03304-9

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-04-12T12:10:57Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/13/23 12:37AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37046329/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03304-9

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-023-03304-9?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-04-13T04:37:46+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Amelioration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss through Regulation of Trpv1, Cacna1h, and Ngf Gene Expression by a Combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata

April 5, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Amelioration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss through Regulation of Trpv1 , Cacna1h , and Ngf Gene Expression by a Combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata

TITLE:
Amelioration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss through Regulation of Trpv1 , Cacna1h , and Ngf Gene Expression by a Combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata

CONTENT:
Nutrients. 2023 Apr 5;15(7):1773. doi: 10.3390/nu15071773.

ABSTRACT

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common condition that results from the loss of function of hair cells, which are responsible for converting sound into electrical signals within the cochlea and auditory nerve. Despite the prevalence of SNHL, a universally effective treatment has yet to be approved. To address this absence, the present study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of TS, a combination of Cuscutae Semen and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata. To this end, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the efficacy of TS with respect to SNHL. The results showed that TS was able to protect against ototoxic neomycin-induced damage in both HEI-OC1 cells and otic hair cells in zebrafish. Furthermore, in images obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an increase in the number of kinocilia, which was prompted by the TS treatment, was observed in the zebrafish larvae. In a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) mouse model, TS improved hearing thresholds as determined by the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Additionally, TS was found to regulate several genes related to hearing loss, including Trpv1 , Cacna1h , and Ngf , as determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that TS holds promise as a potential treatment for sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and evaluate the safety and efficacy of TS in a clinical setting.

PMID:37049613 | DOI:10.3390/nu15071773

SOURCE:
Nutrients

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:37049613

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:37049613

DOI:
10.3390/nu15071773

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 13 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-04-05T07:13:56Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/13/23 06:39AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37049613/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071773

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/7/1773?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-04-13T10:39:57+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Assessment of The Efficacy of Intratympanic Platelet Rich Plasma for Treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

March 27, 2023

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
Assessment of The Efficacy of Intratympanic Platelet Rich Plasma for Treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Conditions :   Hearing Loss, Sudden;   Hearing Loss, Sensorineural;   Hearing Loss

Interventions :   Biological: Platelet Rich Plasma;   Drug: local anesthesia in external auditory canal;   Procedure: Intratympanic Injection

Sponsor :   Assiut University

Not yet recruiting

ID:
NCT05786378

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
03/27/23 02:34PM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
03/27/23 02:34PM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT05786378

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05786378

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

Crossmodal plasticity in hearing loss

March 27, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Crossmodal plasticity in hearing loss

TITLE:
Crossmodal plasticity in hearing loss

CONTENT:
Trends Neurosci. 2023 Mar 27:S0166-2236(23)00045-0. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Crossmodal plasticity is a textbook example of the ability of the brain to reorganize based on use. We review evidence from the auditory system showing that such reorganization has significant limits, is dependent on pre-existing circuitry and top-down interactions, and that extensive reorganization is often absent. We argue that the evidence does not support the hypothesis that crossmodal reorganization is responsible for closing critical periods in deafness, and crossmodal plasticity instead represents a neuronal process that is dynamically adaptable. We evaluate the evidence for crossmodal changes in both developmental and adult-onset deafness, which start as early as mild-moderate hearing loss and show reversibility when hearing is restored. Finally, crossmodal plasticity does not appear to affect the neuronal preconditions for successful hearing restoration. Given its dynamic and versatile nature, we describe how this plasticity can be exploited for improving clinical outcomes after neurosensory restoration.

PMID:36990952 | DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.004

SOURCE:
Trends in neurosciences

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36990952

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36990952

DOI:
10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.004

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 29 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-03-27T12:08:12Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/30/23 01:00AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36990952/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2023.02.004

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0166223623000450?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-30T05:00:45+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Valproic Acid Inhibits Progressive Hereditary Hearing Loss in a KCNQ4 Variant Model through HDAC1 Suppression

March 17, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Valproic Acid Inhibits Progressive Hereditary Hearing Loss in a KCNQ4 Variant Model through HDAC1 Suppression

TITLE:
Valproic Acid Inhibits Progressive Hereditary Hearing Loss in a KCNQ4 Variant Model through HDAC1 Suppression

CONTENT:
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 16;24(6):5695. doi: 10.3390/ijms24065695.

ABSTRACT

Genetic or congenital hearing loss still has no definitive cure. Among genes related to genetic hearing loss, the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 4 (KCNQ4) is known to play an essential role in maintaining ion homeostasis and regulating hair cell membrane potential. Variants of the KCNQ4 show reductions in the potassium channel activity and were responsible for non-syndromic progressive hearing loss. KCNQ4 has been known to possess a diverse variant. Among those variants, the KCNQ4 p.W276S variant produced greater hair cell loss related to an absence of potassium recycling. Valproic acid (VPA) is an important and commonly used histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor for class I (HDAC1, 2, 3, and 8) and class IIa (HDAC4, 5, 7, and 9). In the current study, systemic injections of VPA attenuated hearing loss and protected the cochlear hair cells from cell death in the KCNQ4 p.W276S mouse model. VPA activated its known downstream target, the survival motor neuron gene, and increased acetylation of histone H4 in the cochlea, demonstrating that VPA treatment directly affects the cochlea. In addition, treatment with VPA increased the KCNQ4 binding with HSP90β by inhibiting HDAC1 activation in HEI-OC1 in an in vitro study. VPA is a candidate drug for inhibiting late-onset progressive hereditary hearing loss from the KCNQ4 p.W276S variant.

PMID:36982769 | DOI:10.3390/ijms24065695

SOURCE:
International journal of molecular sciences

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36982769

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36982769

DOI:
10.3390/ijms24065695

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 29 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-03-17T07:51:46Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/29/23 07:02AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982769/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065695

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/6/5695?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-29T11:02:49+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

AAV-Net1 facilitates the trans-differentiation of supporting cells into hair cells in the murine cochlea

March 14, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
AAV-Net1 facilitates the trans-differentiation of supporting cells into hair cells in the murine cochlea

TITLE:
AAV-Net1 facilitates the trans-differentiation of supporting cells into hair cells in the murine cochlea

CONTENT:
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2023 Mar 14;80(4):86. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-04743-6.

ABSTRACT

Mechanosensitive hair cells (HCs) in the cochlear sensory epithelium are critical for sound detection and transduction. Mammalian HCs in the cochlea undergo cytogenesis during embryonic development, and irreversible damage to hair cells postnatally is a major cause of deafness. During the development of the organ of Corti, HCs and supporting cells (SCs) originate from the same precursors. In the neonatal cochlea, damage to HCs activates adjacent SCs to act as HC precursors and to differentiate into new HCs. However, the plasticity of SCs to produce new HCs is gradually lost with cochlear development. Here, we delineate an essential role for the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Net1 in SC trans-differentiation into HCs. Net1 overexpression mediated by AAV-ie in SCs promoted cochlear organoid formation and HC differentiation under two and three-dimensional culture conditions. Also, AAV-Net1 enhanced SC proliferation in Lgr5-EGFPCreERT2 mice and HC generation as indicated by lineage tracing of HCs in the cochleae of Lgr5-EGFPCreERT2 /Rosa26-tdTomatoloxp/loxp mice. We further found that the up-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling in AAV-Net1-transduced cochleae might be responsible for the SC proliferation and HC differentiation. Also, Net1 overexpression in SCs enhanced SC proliferation and HC regeneration and survival after HC damage by neomycin. Taken together, our study suggests that Net1 might serve as a potential target for HC regeneration and that AAV-mediated gene regulation may be a promising approach in stem cell-based therapy in hearing restoration.

PMID:36917323 | DOI:10.1007/s00018-023-04743-6

SOURCE:
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36917323

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36917323

DOI:
10.1007/s00018-023-04743-6

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 14 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-03-14T07:10:47Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/14/23 06:57PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36917323/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-023-04743-6

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00018-023-04743-6?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-14T22:57:54+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

The NLRP3 inflammasome as a target for sensorineural hearing loss

March 11, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
The NLRP3 inflammasome as a target for sensorineural hearing loss

TITLE:
The NLRP3 inflammasome as a target for sensorineural hearing loss

CONTENT:
Clin Immunol. 2023 Mar 10:109287. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109287. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in adults and occurs due to damage of the inner ear caused by a range of factors including ageing, excessive noise, toxins, and cancer. Auto-inflammatory disease is also a cause of hearing loss and there is evidence that inflammation could contribute to hearing loss in other conditions. Within the inner ear there are resident macrophage cells that respond to insults and whose activation correlates with damage. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multi-molecular pro-inflammatory protein complex that forms in activated macrophages and may contribute to hearing loss. The aim of this article is to discuss the evidence for the NLRP3 inflammasome and associated cytokines as potential therapeutic targets for sensorineural hearing loss in conditions ranging from auto-inflammatory disease to tumour-induced hearing loss in vestibular schwannoma.

PMID:36907540 | DOI:10.1016/j.clim.2023.109287

SOURCE:
Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.)

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36907540

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36907540

DOI:
10.1016/j.clim.2023.109287

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sun, 12 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-03-11T15:57:27Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/13/23 12:38AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36907540/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2023.109287

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1521661623000669?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-13T04:38:08+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Generation of p27icreER transgenic mice: A tool for inducible gene expression in supporting cells in the cochlea

March 3, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Generation of p27icreER transgenic mice: A tool for inducible gene expression in supporting cells in the cochlea

TITLE:
Generation of p27icreER transgenic mice: A tool for inducible gene expression in supporting cells in the cochlea

CONTENT:
Hear Res. 2023 Mar 4;431:108727. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108727. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The loss of cochlear hair cells (HCs) is an important cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and finding ways to regenerate HCs would be the ideal way forward for restoring hearing. In this research field, tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase (iCreER) transgenic mice and the Cre-loxp system are widely used to manipulate gene expression in supporting cells (SCs), which lie beneath the sensory HCs and are a natural source for HC regeneration. However, many iCreER transgenic lines are of limited utility because they cannot target all subtypes of SCs or they cannot be used in the adult stage. In this study, a new line of iCreER transgenic mice, the p27-P2A-iCreERT2 knock-in mouse strain, was generated by inserting the P2A-iCreERT2 cassette immediately in front of the stop codon of p27, which kept the endogenous expression and function of p27 intact. Using a reporter mouse line with tdTomato fluorescence, we showed that the p27iCreER transgenic line can target all subtypes of cochlear SCs, including Claudius cells. p27-CreER activity in SCs was observed in both the postnatal and the adult stage, suggesting that this mouse strain can be useful for research work in adult cochlear HC regeneration. We then overexpressed Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Atoh1 in p27+ SCs of P6/7 mice using this strain and successfully induced many new Myo7a/tdTomato double-positive cells, further confirming that the p27-P2A-iCreERT2 mouse strain is a new and reliable tool for cochlear HC regeneration and hearing restoration.

PMID:36905855 | DOI:10.1016/j.heares.2023.108727

SOURCE:
Hearing research

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36905855

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36905855

DOI:
10.1016/j.heares.2023.108727

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 11 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-03-04T01:28:37Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/12/23 12:59AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36905855/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2023.108727

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595523000394?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-12T05:59:54+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

The Dual Roles of Triiodothyronine in Regulating the Morphology of Hair Cells and Supporting Cells during Critical Periods of Mouse Cochlear Development

February 27, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
The Dual Roles of Triiodothyronine in Regulating the Morphology of Hair Cells and Supporting Cells during Critical Periods of Mouse Cochlear Development

TITLE:
The Dual Roles of Triiodothyronine in Regulating the Morphology of Hair Cells and Supporting Cells during Critical Periods of Mouse Cochlear Development

CONTENT:
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 25;24(5):4559. doi: 10.3390/ijms24054559.

ABSTRACT

Clinically, thyroid-related diseases such as endemic iodine deficiency and congenital hypothyroidism are associated with hearing loss, suggesting that thyroid hormones are essential for the development of normal hearing. Triiodothyronine (T3) is the main active form of thyroid hormone and its effect on the remodeling of the organ of Corti remain unclear. This study aims to explore the effect and mechanism of T3 on the remodeling of the organ of Corti and supporting cells development during early development. In this study, mice treated with T3 at postnatal (P) day 0 or P1 showed severe hearing loss with disordered stereocilia of the outer hair cells (OHCs) and impaired function of mechanoelectrical transduction of OHCs. In addition, we found that treatment with T3 at P0 or P1 resulted in the overproduction of Deiter-like cells. Compared with the control group, the transcription levels of Sox2 and notch pathway-related genes in the cochlea of the T3 group were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, Sox2-haploinsufficient mice treated with T3 not only showed excess numbers of Deiter-like cells but also a large number of ectopic outer pillar cells (OPCs). Our study provides new evidence for the dual roles of T3 in regulating both hair cells and supporting cell development, suggesting that it is possible to increase the reserve of supporting cells.

PMID:36901990 | PMC:PMC10003541 | DOI:10.3390/ijms24054559

SOURCE:
International journal of molecular sciences

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36901990

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36901990

DOI:
10.3390/ijms24054559

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 11 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-27T08:36:41Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/14/23 07:00AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36901990/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24054559

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/5/4559?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-14T11:00:52+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

CRISPR-mediated RNA base editing: a promising strategy to rescue deafness

February 27, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
CRISPR-mediated RNA base editing: a promising strategy to rescue deafness

TITLE:
CRISPR-mediated RNA base editing: a promising strategy to rescue deafness

CONTENT:
Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2023 Feb 27;8(1):83. doi: 10.1038/s41392-023-01349-z.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36849547 | PMC:PMC9969033 | DOI:10.1038/s41392-023-01349-z

SOURCE:
Signal transduction and targeted therapy

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36849547

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36849547

DOI:
10.1038/s41392-023-01349-z

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Mon, 27 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-27T05:02:40Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/01/23 07:02AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36849547/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01349-z

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-023-01349-z?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-01T12:02:19+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Potentials and limitations of pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications of bile acids in hearing loss treatment

February 21, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Potentials and limitations of pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications of bile acids in hearing loss treatment

TITLE:
Potentials and limitations of pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications of bile acids in hearing loss treatment

CONTENT:
Ther Deliv. 2023 Feb 21. doi: 10.4155/tde-2022-0033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss is a worldwide epidemic, with approximately 1.5 billion people currently struggling with hearing-related conditions. Currently, the most wildly used and effective treatments for hearing loss are primarily focus on the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, these have many limitations, highlighting the importance of developing a pharmacological solution that may be used to overcome barriers associated with such devices. Due to the challenges of delivering therapeutic agents to the inner ear, bile acids are being explored as potential drug excipients and permeation enhancers. This review, therefore, aims to explore the pathophysiology of hearing loss, the challenges in treatment and the manners in which bile acids could potentially aid in overcoming these challenges.

PMID:36803017 | DOI:10.4155/tde-2022-0033

SOURCE:
Therapeutic delivery

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36803017

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36803017

DOI:
10.4155/tde-2022-0033

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 21 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-21T09:13:15Z

DATE – ADDED:
02/21/23 07:10PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36803017/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4155/tde-2022-0033

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.future-science.com/doi/10.4155/tde-2022-0033?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-02-22T00:10:22+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Oridonin employs interleukin 1 receptor type 2 to treat noise-induced hearing loss by blocking inner ear inflammation

February 16, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Oridonin employs interleukin 1 receptor type 2 to treat noise-induced hearing loss by blocking inner ear inflammation

TITLE:
Oridonin employs interleukin 1 receptor type 2 to treat noise-induced hearing loss by blocking inner ear inflammation

CONTENT:
Biochem Pharmacol. 2023 Feb 16:115457. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115457. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes trigger the inflammatory cascades and participate in various inflammatory diseases, including noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) caused by oxidative stress. Recently, the anti-inflammatory traditional medicine oridonin (Ori) has been reported to provide hearing protection in mice after noise exposure by blocking the NLRP3-never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 7 (NEK7)-inflammasome complex assembly. Using RNA sequencing analysis, we further elucidated that interleukin 1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2) may be another crucial factor regulated by Ori to protect NIHL. We observed that IL1R2 expression was localized in spiral ganglion neurons, inner and outer hair cells, in Ori-treated mouse cochleae. Additionally, we confirmed that ectopic overexpression of IL1R2 in the inner ears of healthy mice using an adeno-associated virus delivery system significantly reduced noise-induced ribbon synapse lesions and hearing loss by blocking the “cytokine storm” in the inner ear. This study provides a novel theoretical foundation for guiding the clinical treatment of NIHL.

PMID:36806583 | DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115457

SOURCE:
Biochemical pharmacology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36806583

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36806583

DOI:
10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115457

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 22 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-16T16:47:39Z

DATE – ADDED:
02/22/23 01:02PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36806583/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115457

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006295223000485?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-02-22T18:02:56+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Promoting TFEB nuclear localization with curcumin analog C1 attenuates sensory hair cell injury and delays age-related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice

February 13, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Promoting TFEB nuclear localization with curcumin analog C1 attenuates sensory hair cell injury and delays age-related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice

TITLE:
Promoting TFEB nuclear localization with curcumin analog C1 attenuates sensory hair cell injury and delays age-related hearing loss in C57BL/6 mice

CONTENT:
Neurotoxicology. 2023 Feb 13:S0161-813X(23)00024-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.02.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sensory hair cell (HC) injuries, especially outer hair cell (OHC) loss, are well-documented to be the primary pathology of age-related hearing loss (AHL). Recent studies have demonstrated that autophagy plays an important role in HC injury in the inner ear. In our previous works, a decline in autophagy levels and HC loss were found to occur simultaneously in the inner ears of aged C57BL/6 mice, and the administration of rapamycin promoted autophagy levels, which reduced OHC loss and delayed AHL, but the underlying mechanism of autophagy in AHL has not been well elucidated. Transcription factor EB (TFEB), an autophagy regulator and the downstream target of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is involved in the pathological development of neurodegenerative disease. This study would address the link between autophagy and TFEB in aged C57BL/6 mouse cochleae and clarify the effect of the TFEB activator curcumin analog C1 (C1) in aged cochleae. Decreased TFEB nuclear localization (p = 0.0371) and autophagy dysfunction (p = 0.0273) were observed in the cochleae of aged C57BL/6 mice that exhibited AHL, HCs loss and HCs senescence. Treatment with C1 promoted TFEB nuclear localization and restored autophagy, subsequently alleviating HC injury and delaying AHL. The protective effect of C1 on HEI-OC1 cells against autophagy disorder and aging induced by D-galactose was abolished by chloroquine, which is one of the commonly used autophagy inhibitors. Overall, our results demonstrated that the capacity to perform autophagy is mediated by the nuclear localization of TFEB in aged C57BL/6 mouse cochleae. C1 promotes the nuclear localization of TFEB, subsequently alleviating HC injury and delaying AHL by restoring the impaired autophagy function. TFEB may serve as a new therapeutic target for AHL treatment.

PMID:36792013 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuro.2023.02.004

SOURCE:
Neurotoxicology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36792013

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36792013

DOI:
10.1016/j.neuro.2023.02.004

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-14T02:03:43Z

DATE – ADDED:
02/16/23 01:02AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36792013/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2023.02.004

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0161813X23000244?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-02-16T06:02:18+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Novel WFS1 mutations in patients with low-to-middle frequency hearing loss

February 9, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Novel WFS1 mutations in patients with low-to-middle frequency hearing loss

TITLE:
Novel WFS1 mutations in patients with low-to-middle frequency hearing loss

CONTENT:
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Feb 9;167:111484. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111484. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensorineural disorder in human. It is estimated that genetic factors contribute to over 50% of prelingual hearing loss. Most of dominant HHL patients manifest postlingual progressive hearing loss that mainly affect high frequencies. However, mutations in a few dominant HL genes, such as WFS1, TECTA and DIAPH1, cause distinct audiogram that primarily affects the low and middle frequencies.

METHODS: We recruited twelve independent HL families with worse low or middle frequency audiograms. Each proband of these families was excluded for pathogenic mutations in GJB2, SLC26A4, and MT-RNR1 genes. Mutation screening was performed by whole exome sequencing. Next, candidate variants were validated in each family by sanger sequencing.

RESULTS: Six heterozygous WFS1 variants were identified in six families, including three novel mutations (c.2519T > G, p.F840C; c.2048T > G, p.M683R and c.2419A > C, p.S807R) and three previously reported variants (c.2005T > C, p.Y669H; c.2590G > A, p.E864K and c.G2389A, p.D797 N). All the novel mutations were absent in 100 ethnically matched controls and were predicted to be deleterious by multiple algorithms.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified three novel and three previously reported WFS1 mutations in six unrelated Chinese families. Our findings enriched the genotype-phenotype spectrum of WFS1 related NSHL. Additional genotype-phenotype correlation study will clarify the detailed phenotypic range caused by WFS1 mutations.

PMID:36958120 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111484

SOURCE:
International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36958120

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36958120

DOI:
10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111484

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-09T07:56:04Z

DATE – ADDED:
03/24/23 01:00AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36958120/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111484

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0165587623000502?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-03-24T05:00:48+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Advances in gene therapy hold promise for treating hereditary hearing loss

February 8, 2023

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Advances in gene therapy hold promise for treating hereditary hearing loss

TITLE:
Advances in gene therapy hold promise for treating hereditary hearing loss

CONTENT:
Mol Ther. 2023 Feb 7:S1525-0016(23)00064-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Gene therapy focuses on genetic modification to produce therapeutic effects or treat diseases by repairing or reconstructing genetic material, thus being expected to be the most promising therapeutic strategy for genetic disorders. Due to the growing attention to hearing impairment, an increasing amount of research is attempting to utilize gene therapy for hereditary hearing loss (HHL)-an important monogenic disease and the most common type of congenital deafness. Several gene therapy clinical trials for HHL have recently been approved, and additionally, CRISPR/Cas tools have been attempted for HHL treatment. Therefore, in order to further advance the development of inner ear gene therapy and promote its broad application in other forms of genetic disease, it is imperative to review the progress of gene therapy for HHL. Herein, we address three main gene therapy strategies-gene replacement, gene suppression, and gene editing, summarizing which strategy is most appropriate for particular monogenic diseases based on different pathogenic mechanisms and then focusing on their successful applications for HHL in preclinical trials. Finally, we elaborate on the challenges and outlooks of gene therapy for HHL.

PMID:36755494 | DOI:10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.001

SOURCE:
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:36755494

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:36755494

DOI:
10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.001

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 09 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0500

DATE – DOI:
2023-02-08T07:21:26Z

DATE – ADDED:
02/09/23 07:00AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36755494/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.02.001

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1525001623000643?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2023-02-09T12:00:34+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Mogrify and Astellas announce collaboration to conduct research on in vivo regenerative medicine approaches to address sensorineural hearing loss

July 5, 2022

https://mogrify.co.uk/mogrify-and-astellas-announce-collaboration-to-conduct-research-on-in-vivo-regenerative-medicine-approaches-to-address-sensorineural-hearing-loss/

Autigen Announces Collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to Discover and Develop Novel Treatments for Hearing Loss

April 13, 2022

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220413005044/en/Autigen-Announces-Collaboration-with-Boehringer-Ingelheim-to-Discover-and-Develop-Novel-Treatments-for-Hearing-Loss

Autigen Announces Collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to Discover and Develop Novel Treatments for Hearing Loss

Phase 1b study of FX-345, new hearing loss drug candidate from Frequency Therapeutics, planned for second half of 2022

January 15, 2022

FX-345 program will “enable the company to clinically evaluate increased cochlear coverage across range of doses in multiple patient populations,” according to a recent presentation uploaded to the Frequency Therapeutics website.

Background:

FX-345 is Frequency Therapeutics’ second clinical program for sensorineural hearing loss, focused on the regrowth of sensory cells. The drug is being developed in addition to FX-322 (important distinction). Based on what we have been told so far, the big idea behind FX-345 — and its potential to restore hearing in SNHL patients — seems to be related to increased cochlear coverage. This particular aspect of the new drug candidate is repeated throughout the three-page FX-345 section of the presentation:

  • “Broad Exposure Through the Cochlea”
  • “Enables coverage of large portion of cochlea”
  • “Through Large Portion of Cochlea”

That’s the idea, anyway. But, as the presentation also points out:

  • “Clinical data will drive commercial positioning”

A good reminder and also a good reason to look forward to the second half of the year, when the phase 1 trial is slated to begin…

Sneak preview of the full presentation (pages 28 to 30):

FX-345 presentation preview

Below is a link to the full “Corporate Presentation – January 22” from Frequency Therapeutics. It is a 57-page PDF document but go to page 28 if you only want to read the FX-345 section (three pages, total):

https://investors.frequencytx.com/static-files/82a80eb8-8cd7-443b-a9c7-7c19d0d1b99d

What happens next?

For updates on the development status of FX-345 — and other promising new treatments currently in development for sensorineural hearing loss — subscribe to the newsletter (email updates). It’s free, your information is kept private and not shared or sold to third parties… no spam or sponsored content… Instead, it’s a way to get “nothing but new treatment updates”, and only when something important happens.

Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss on the Horizon

December 17, 2021

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2022/01000/Gene_Therapy_for_Hearing_Loss_on_the_Horizon.1.aspx

Frequency Therapeutics Highlights Clinical Advancement of FX-322 and Unveils FX-345, a New Potential Restorative Treatment for Hearing Loss

November 9, 2021

Frequency Therapeutics Highlights Clinical Advancement of FX-322 and Unveils FX-345, a New Potential Restorative Treatment for Hearing Loss
November 9, 2021
https://investors.frequencytx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/frequency-therapeutics-holds-virtual-rd-event-highlighting

Comments from the CEO:
“We will also unveil two new research programs that demonstrate the potential of our progenitor cell activation (PCA) approach. First, we will introduce FX-345, a new hearing restoration candidate designed for greater distribution through the cochlea, potentially enabling the treatment of expanded SNHL patient populations.”

Highlights from the press release, copy+pasted:

“FX-345
Introduction of new SNHL investigational therapeutic program, including a more potent GSK3 inhibitor designed to achieve broader exposure of the cochlea.

Frequency Therapeutics Announces First Subject Dosed in FX-322 Phase 2b Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) Study

October 21, 2021

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211021005166/en/Frequency-Therapeutics-Announces-First-Subject-Dosed-in-FX-322-Phase-2b-Acquired-Sensorineural-Hearing-Loss-SNHL-Study-and-FDA-Agreement-on-Speech-Perception-as-Primary-Endpoint

Frequency Therapeutics Announces First Subject Dosed in FX-322 Phase 2b Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) Study and FDA Agreement on Speech Perception as Primary Endpoint

FX-322 in Adults With Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss

October 20, 2021

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
FX-322 in Adults With Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Conditions :   Hearing Loss, Sensorineural;   Noise Induced Hearing Loss;   Sudden Hearing Loss

Interventions :   Drug: FX-322;   Drug: Placebo

Sponsor :   Frequency Therapeutics

Recruiting

ID:
NCT05086276

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Wed, 20 Oct 2021 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
10/20/21 06:28AM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
10/20/21 06:28AM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT05086276

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05086276

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

Eli Lilly-Backed Audion Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AUD1001 (LY3056480) in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

October 1, 2021

The official record for the study, “A Phase 2 Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial inVEstigating the Effect and Safety of Several Dosing Regimens of LY3056480 in Patients With STAble Sensorineural Hearing Loss”, was added to ClinicalTrials.gov on September 30, 2021.

The name of this new study is “VESTA”, the name of the drug is “AUD1001” (also known as “LY3056480”), and it is sometimes referred to as the “REGAIN treatment” for hearing loss.

aud1001 study record phase 2 teaser

Official description from the new study record (9/30/2021):

VESTA is a double blinded, randomized, placebo controlled, multi center efficacy phase 2 study comparing three dosing regimens of 250 µg LY3056480. Adult volunteers with stable mild to moderately-severe SNHL will be recruited through Adult Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Services in the US. Four injections of 250µg LY3056480 or placebo administered trans-tympanically into one ear (worse hearing ear).

Source —link to the study record:

LY3056480 in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss (NCT05061758)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05061758

More background and context — from Audion’s website:

AUD1001 was shown to be safe and well tolerated, and provided early indications of efficacy in speech in noise, a key clinical outcome parameter. Importantly, the efficacy signals persisted a year after the treatment.

[…]

Audion is preparing for initiation of new clinical trials of AUD1001 for sensorineural hearing loss at multiple sites in Europe and in the US in H2 2021. The planned Phase 2b double blind, placebo controlled trials will be conducted in adults with demonstrated loss of clarity, using a standardized local drug delivery.

Source: https://audiontherapeutics.com/development/

More details about the AUD1001 study:

  • phase 2 study will enroll 135 participants
  • recruitment has NOT started yet
  • three recruitment locations listed so far: Illinois, New York, Virginia
  • company website mentions sites in Europe but the study record says participants will be recruited through sites in the US
  • that does not rule out Europe sites (since the study record could be updated when new sites are added in the future)
  • so, right now there is a slightly confusing inconsistency — but nothing is contradictory or set in stone

As for timeline…

  • Start Date: September 2022
  • Primary Completion Date : September 2024
  • Study Completion Date : March 2025

Keep in mind, these are Estimated dates, and subject to change.

The key date here, for most people, is the September 2022 start date.

As for when RECRUITING will begin…

Not sure yet.

But I will send out an email when the status changes from “Not yet recruiting” to “Recruiting” — as soon as I find out. Nothing to report just yet and no estimates or opinions to share.

If you are not subscribed and want AUD1001 updates, I have a strongly-biased (and very good) recommendation: subscribe to the Hearing Loss Treatment Report email newsletter. Email updates for people who want “early access” to hearing loss treatment updates — like this one about AUD1001… in many cases, before the company has had time to issue a press release! (That is what happened here.) Expect between 1-3 emails per week, on average. Sometimes none. Sometimes four. It depends. But the important thing is, issues are only sent when something exciting and new is happening. No recycled stories or press releases. No blogspam. No advertorials or sneakiness. No spam, no nonsense. Unsubscribe instantly with one click.

More AUD1001 updates to follow… including an update whenever the trial opens its doors and begins recruiting. Which, hypothetically, could be any day now.

The Expression and HC Regeneration Roles of the Super Elongation Complex in Mouse Cochlear Lgr5+ Progenitor Cells

October 1, 2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.735723/full

The Expression and Roles of the Super Elongation Complex in Mouse Cochlear Lgr5+ Progenitor Cells

Super Elongation Complex might play important roles in regulating inner ear progenitors and regulating hair cell regeneration.

A Trial of LY3056480 in Patients With SNLH

September 30, 2021

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
A Trial of LY3056480 in Patients With SNLH

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Condition :   Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Intervention :   Drug: LY3056480

Sponsor :   Audion Therapeutics BV

Not yet recruiting

ID:
NCT05061758

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
09/30/21 05:28PM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
09/30/21 05:28PM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT05061758

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05061758

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

VEGFR-MEK-TGFB1 signaling crosstalk as a potential target for hair cell regeneration and hearing restoration

September 14, 2021

https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(21)00428-8

High-throughput screening on cochlear organoids identifies VEGFR-MEK-TGFB1 signaling promoting hair cell reprogramming

VEGFR-MEK-TGFB1 signaling crosstalk as a potential target for hair cell regeneration and hearing restoration.

The Hunt for Drugs That Promote Ear Hair Cell Regeneration: Nanjing University researchers use cochlear organoids to identify drugs that can promote the regeneration of hair cells

September 14, 2021

https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/treating-hearing-loss-the-hunt-for-drugs-that-promote-hair-cell-regeneration-353641

The Hunt for Drugs That Promote Ear Hair Cell Regeneration

“Nanjing University researchers use cochlear organoids to identify drugs that can promote the regeneration of hair cells”

miR-153 inhibition significantly restores KNCQ4 in cochlea after noise exposure, which attenuates sensorineural hearing loss

September 3, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
miR-153/KCNQ4 axis contributes to noise-induced hearing loss in a mouse model

TITLE:
miR-153/KCNQ4 axis contributes to noise-induced hearing loss in a mouse model

CONTENT:
J Physiol Sci. 2021 Sep 3;71(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s12576-021-00814-0.

ABSTRACT

Damage to the cochlear sensory epithelium is a key contributor to noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). KCNQ4 plays an important role in the cochlear potassium circulation and outer hair cells survival. As miR-153 can target and regulate KCNQ4, we sought to study the role of miR-153 in SNHL. 12-week-old male CBA/J mice were exposed to 2-20 kHz broadband noise at 96 dB SPL to induce temporary threshold shifts and 101 dB SPL to induce permanent threshold shifts. Hearing loss was determined by auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Relative expression of miR-153 and KCNQ4 in mice cochlea were determined by Real-Time quantitative PCR. miR-153 mimics were co-transfected with wild type or mutated KCNQ4 into HEK293 cells. Luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the binding between miR-153 and KCNQ4. AAV-sp-153 was constructed and administrated intra-peritoneally 24- and 2-h prior and immediately after noise exposure to knockdown miR-153. The KCNQ4 is mainly expressed in outer hair cells (OHCs). We showed that the expression of KCNQ4 in mice cochlea was reduced and miR-153 expression was significantly increased after noise exposure compared to control. miR-153 bound to 3’UTR of KNCQ4, and the knockdown of miR-153 with the AAV-sp-153 administration restored KCNQ4 mRNA and protein expression. In addition, the knockdown of miR-153 reduced ABR threshold shifts at 8, 16, and 32 kHz after permanent threshold shifts (PTS) noise exposure. Correspondingly, OHC losses were attenuated with inhibition of miR-153. This study demonstrates that miR-153 inhibition significantly restores KNCQ4 in cochlea after noise exposure, which attenuates SNHL. Our study provides a new potential therapeutic target in the prevention and treatment of SNHL.

PMID:34479475 | DOI:10.1186/s12576-021-00814-0

SOURCE:
The journal of physiological sciences : JPS

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34479475

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34479475

DOI:
10.1186/s12576-021-00814-0

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Sat, 04 Sep 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-09-03T15:08:12Z

DATE – ADDED:
09/04/21 09:14AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34479475/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12576-021-00814-0

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://jps.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12576-021-00814-0?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-09-04T13:14:45+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

The expression of PHB2 in the cochlea: a new target for age-related hearing loss

August 26, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
The expression of PHB2 in the cochlea: possible relation to age-related hearing loss

TITLE:
The expression of PHB2 in the cochlea: possible relation to age-related hearing loss

CONTENT:
Cell Biol Int. 2021 Aug 26. doi: 10.1002/cbin.11693. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most prevalent sensory deficit in the elderly, but its mechanism remains unclear. Scaffold protein Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) has been widely involved in aging and neurodegeneration. However, the role of PHB2 in ARHL is undeciphered to date. To investigate the expression pattern and the role of PHB2 in ARHL, we used C57BL/6 mice and HEI-OC1 cell line as models. In our study, we have found PHB2 exists in the cochlea and is expressed in hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons and HEI-OC1 cells. In mice with ARHL, mitophagy is reduced and correspondingly the expression level of PHB2 is decreased. Moreover, after H2 O2 treatment the mitophagy is activated and the PHB2 expression is increased. These findings indicate that PHB2 may exert an important role in ARHL through mitophagy. Findings from this work will be helpful for elucidating the mechanism underlying the ARHL and for providing a new target for ARHL treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34435719 | DOI:10.1002/cbin.11693

SOURCE:
Cell biology international

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34435719

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34435719

DOI:
10.1002/cbin.11693

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Thu, 26 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-08-26T11:36:01Z

DATE – ADDED:
08/26/21 02:11PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34435719/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbin.11693

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbin.11693?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-08-26T18:11:08+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Research Progress on the Mechanism of Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration

August 20, 2021

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8417573/

Research Progress on the Mechanism of Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration

Downregulation of Cav3.1 T-type Calcium Channel Expression in Age-related Hearing Loss Model

August 17, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Downregulation of Cav3.1 T-type Calcium Channel Expression in Age-related Hearing Loss Model

TITLE:
Downregulation of Cav3.1 T-type Calcium Channel Expression in Age-related Hearing Loss Model

CONTENT:
Curr Med Sci. 2021 Aug;41(4):680-686. doi: 10.1007/s11596-021-2416-0. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Age-related hearing loss (AHL), characterized by degeneration of cochlea structures, is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly worldwide. The calcium channel is considered to contribute to normal hearing. However, the role of the T-type voltage-activated calcium channel, Cav3.1, remains unclear in AHL. Here, we investigate the age-related change of Cav3.1 expression in the cochlea and D-gal-induced senescent HEI-OC1 cells.

METHODS: Cochleae from C57BL/6 mice at 2 months and 12 months of age were assessed. Senescence in House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells was induced by D-gal treatment. The immunofluorescence technique was employed to investigate the distribution of Cav3.1 in vivo and in vitro. Quantitative assessment was achieved by Western blotting and real-time PCR.

RESULTS: In comparison with 2-month-old animals, 12-month old C57BL/6 mice exhibited great loss of hair cells and elevated auditory brainstem threshold. The Cav3.1 was located in hair cells, spiral ganglion cells, lateral walls, and the expression of Cav3.1 protein and mRNA decreased in the aged cochleae. D-gal-induced senescence assay confirmed the down-regulation of Cav3.1 expression in senescent HEI-OC1 cells.

CONCLUSION: Our results show that age-related down-regulated expression of Cav3.1 in the cochleae is associated with AHL and may contribute to the pathogenesis of AHL.

PMID:34403092 | DOI:10.1007/s11596-021-2416-0

SOURCE:
Current medical science

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34403092

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34403092

DOI:
10.1007/s11596-021-2416-0

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 17 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-08-17T10:36:41Z

DATE – ADDED:
08/17/21 07:00PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34403092/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-021-2416-0

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11596-021-2416-0?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-08-17T23:00:52+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

USC Stem Cell scientists explore the latent regenerative potential of the inner ear

July 30, 2021

https://keck.usc.edu/usc-stem-cell-scientists-explore-the-latent-regenerative-potential-of-the-inner-ear/

USC Stem Cell scientists explore the latent regenerative potential of the inner ear

Enhancer decommissioning imposes an epigenetic barrier to sensory hair cell regeneration

July 30, 2021

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1534580721005591?via%3Dihub

Enhancer decommissioning imposes an epigenetic barrier to sensory hair cell regeneration

Sneak preview of AP-001, a novel therapeutic for hearing loss from Anida Pharma

July 25, 2021

Some early details on AP-001 (also known as neuroprotectin D1 or NPD1), a novel therapeutic currently being studied by Anida Pharma to treat noise-related and age-related hearing loss.

AP-001 anida pharma pipeline hearing loss july 2021 annotated

Background:

Anida Pharma is a private biotech company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing new drugs “to prevent and restore sensory organ dysfunction.”

The company’s lead drug candidate is a compound called “AP-001” and… what makes AP-001 special is that it works on multiple pathways all at once: e.g., “inflammation, cell death and tissue repair, both epithelial and nerve regrowth” — all of which are known to be associated with hearing impairment, to different degrees, in varying contexts.

AP-001 (also known as neuroprotectin D1 or NPD1), it seems, has the potential to treat hearing loss — including noise-related, drug-related, and/or age-related causes.

Rough draft copy of explanation [work-in-progress]:

Worth mentioning: AP-001 is endogenous. In other words, the body makes it naturally. And, even more interesting, is the role it plays…

Basically, AP-001’s normal job is to clean up any messes caused by the body’s immune system. So the body’s immune system recognizes a threat. Attacks said threat. And sometimes there is a mess. Collateral damage. Well, when that happens, the body releases AP-001… which is deployed to fix, repair, restore any destruction caused during the immune response and battle.

You can think of AP-001 as the body’s own cleanup crew… and a function within the body that has evolved as a tool to repair the chaos and damage following a immune attack damage. It is referred to as a “counter-mechanism” in the science section of the Anida Pharma website. I like that.

Anyway, the main reason this counter-mechanism exists is… because the body wants to make sure important functions (such as sight or hearing) are not permanently lost after getting caught up in the crossfire of an immune system battle.

And so, a special mechanism evolved to handle that “messy” repair and cleanup job. Before the damaged system collapsed to a point of no return.

Now, here is how this relates to hearing restoration…

Scientists believe they have discovered a way to harness that “counter-mechanism” and its special “rebuilding” toolset… and extend its purpose beyond that of “clean up crew” in wake of a big immune system battle… and instead deploy it in response to any sort of damage, for various purposes.

So, with respect to hearing loss… the “repair job” could be using AP-001 to fix any sort of trauma or loss… not just an immune warzone… e.g. it could be noise trauma, ototoxicity/drug-induced, or even be used to reverse age-related damage and progression.

The idea here is, this natural “counter-mechanism” (a.k.a. AP-001) might still be effective beyond its original duty (which was limited to immune attack rebuilding)… and applicable to situations where it might not have been released naturally, in great enough volume.

[DRAFT]

Some hearing loss-related tidbits from the official Anida Pharma company website:

“Anida is also working at identifying treatments to restore the hearing in individuals suffering age- and noise-related hearing loss.”

“Anida is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging the knowledge around the body’s own homeostatic and protective mechanisms to develop targeted therapeutics in the fields of vision and hearing.”

“AP-001, is an endogenous lipid-derived agonistic small molecule from the DHA metabolome.”

Le “annotated Anida Pharma pipeline” snapshot:

AP-001 anida pharma pipeline hearing loss july 2021 annotated
Much wow. Such pipeline.

(Image credit and source of original image: https://www.anidapharma.com/)

This article is a work in progress. [Last updated on 7/25/2021 at 5:09pm EST.] For now, I just wanted to share news of “AP-001” ASAP and add it to the hearing loss treatment radar. (So more people know that it exists.) Also…

Remember to subscribe if you want early access to updates on stuff like this. See link below. (Email subscribers receive links to articles like this one several days before the article is added to the front page of this website.)

AP-001 updates

Sign up for the Hearing Loss Treatment Report email newsletter to get updates on promising new hearing loss drugs on the horizon. It’s free, your information is kept private, you will not receive promotional emails, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time with one click. Expect between 1-2 emails per week, but only if something interesting is happening.


References

  • https://www.anidapharma.com/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5500902/
  • More research to follow, with research related to the drug’s mechanism and scientific papers…

Local magnetic delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus AAV2(quad Y-F) mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene therapy restores hearing after noise injury

July 20, 2021

https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-therapy/pdf/S1525-0016(21)00367-1.pdf

Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) launch new online tool to advance medical discoveries to reverse progressive hearing loss

July 19, 2021

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210719/New-online-tool-launched-to-accelerate-discoveries-for-reversing-progressive-hearing-loss.aspx

New online tool launched to accelerate discoveries for reversing progressive hearing loss

Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) launch a new tool to advance medical discoveries to reverse progressive hearing loss.

A Novel Small Molecule Neurotrophin-3 Analogue Promotes Inner Ear Neurite Outgrowth and Synaptogenesis In vitro

July 15, 2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.666706/full

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Updates on Molecular Targets and Potential Interventions

July 7, 2021

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2021/4784385/

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: Updates on Molecular Targets and Potential Interventions

Reestablishing Neural Plasticity in Regenerated Spiral Ganglion Neurons and Sensory Hair Cells for Hearing Loss

FX-322 in Adults With Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss

July 6, 2021

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
FX-322 in Adults With Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Conditions :   Hearing Loss, Sensorineural;   Noise Induced Hearing Loss;   Sudden Hearing Loss

Interventions :   Drug: FX-322;   Other: Placebo

Sponsor :   Frequency Therapeutics

Recruiting

ID:
NCT04629664

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Mon, 16 Nov 2020 12:00:00 EST

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
07/06/21 07:55AM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
07/06/21 07:55AM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT04629664

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04629664

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

Pipeline Therapeutics Completes Phase 2a Study of PIPE-505 for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

June 24, 2021

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04462198

Phase I/IIa Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of an Intratympanic Dose of PIPE-505 in Subjects With Hearing Loss [Completed]

June 24, 2021

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
Phase I/IIa Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of an Intratympanic Dose of PIPE-505 in Subjects With Hearing Loss

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Condition :   Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Interventions :   Drug: PIPE-505;   Drug: Diluent alone

Sponsor :   Pipeline Therapeutics, Inc.

Completed

ID:
NCT04462198

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
06/24/21 11:34AM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
06/24/21 11:34AM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT04462198

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04462198

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research

OTO-413 in Subjects With Speech-in-Noise Hearing Impairment

June 18, 2021

CATEGORY:
Clinical Trials

TITLE:
OTO-413 in Subjects With Speech-in-Noise Hearing Impairment

INTERVENTION/TREATMENT:

PHASE:

DESCRIPTION:
Condition :   Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Interventions :   Drug: OTO-413;   Drug: Placebo

Sponsor :   Otonomy, Inc.

Recruiting

ID:
NCT04129775

STATUS:

DATE – FIRST POSTED:
Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:00:00 EDT

DATE – LAST UPDATE POSTED:
06/18/21 05:20PM

DATE – RETRIEVED:
06/18/21 05:20PM

LINK – STUDY HISTORY:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/history/NCT04129775

LINK – STUDY RECORD:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04129775

mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss

June 14, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss

TITLE:
mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 14;22(12):6368. doi: 10.3390/ijms22126368.

ABSTRACT

Hearing loss affects many people worldwide and occurs often as a result of age, ototoxic drugs and/or excessive noise exposure. With a growing number of elderly people, the number of people suffering from hearing loss will also increase in the future. Despite the high number of affected people, for most patients there is no curative therapy for hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlea implants remain the only option. Important treatment approaches for hearing loss include the development of regenerative therapies or the inhibition of cell death/promotion of cell survival pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a central regulator of cell growth, is involved in cell survival, and has been shown to be implicated in many age-related diseases. In the inner ear, mTOR signaling has also started to gain attention recently. In this review, we will emphasize recent discoveries of mTOR signaling in the inner ear and discuss implications for possible treatments for hearing restoration.

PMID:34198685 | DOI:10.3390/ijms22126368

SOURCE:
International journal of molecular sciences

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34198685

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34198685

DOI:
10.3390/ijms22126368

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 02 Jul 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-06-15T02:31:04Z

DATE – ADDED:
07/02/21 08:07AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34198685/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126368

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/12/6368?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-07-02T12:07:25+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Roles of Key Ion Channels and Transport Proteins in Hearing Loss [Preprint]

June 7, 2021

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/11/6158/htm

Roles of Key Ion Channels and Transport Proteins in Age-Related Hearing Loss

KCNQ4 Activators as a Potential Treatment for Hearing Loss

June 4, 2021

A recently published special issue of International Journal of Molecular Science reviewed a variety of therapeutic interventions currently being studied as novel strategies to restore hearing.

One of these strategies involves the use of “KCNQ4 activators” as a way to keep the inner ear functioning properly. And according to the paper, existing drugs (or combinations thereof) that are already approved could potentially be repurposed as therapies for sensorineural hearing loss.

From the May 26, 2021 paper titled, “Molecular Mechanisms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Development of Inner Ear Therapeutics”:

The voltage-gated potassium channel KCNQ4 has an essential role in regulating auditory function in the inner ear, by contributing to potassium recycling and maintenance of cochlear homeostasis. Reduced activity of the KCNQ4 channel has been associated with a genetic form of hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, and age-related hearing loss. Rim and colleagues presented a comprehensive review of 90 publications looking at the KCNQ4 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hearing loss. In this review, the authors updated the current concepts of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of KCNQ4 in the inner ear and focused on the role of KCNQ4 activators in therapeutic management of different forms of hearing loss. They propose that the simultaneous application of two activators with distinct modes of action may result in synergistic effects and reduced off-target effects. It was also suggested that drug repurposing may be an attractive option for clinical development of KCNQ4 activators as therapies for hearing loss.

Another recent paper, from three months ago (published March 2, 2021) titled, “Activation of KCNQ4 as a Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Hearing Loss”, stated:

Therefore, the discovery of small compounds activating or potentiating KCNQ4 is an important strategy for the curative treatment of hearing loss.

The authors concluded by recommending that “KCNQ4 activators should be validated in clinical trials, as there is no ongoing clinical trial targeting hearing loss by KCNQ4 activators currently.”

But do not let the fact that KCNQ4 activators have not yet entered human clinical trials mislead you. Despite the current lack of trials, that does not automatically mean these drugs are far, far away.

Because, as the authors also pointed out earlier in the same paper: “Drug repurposing and optimization for applicable specific KCNQ4 mutation might also be an option for clinical application of KCNQ4 activators […] with advantages of reducing the cost and shortening the time when compared to de novo drug discovery.”

As far as what to keep an eye out for next, on the topic of KCNQ4, the researchers also tip us off as to which company is working on this mechanism most closely:

Acousia Therapeutics, which is a biotech company aiming for the development of small-molecule drugs for sensory neuronal hearing loss, has eight compounds targeting KCNQ4 in its pipeline.

Company website here (comment: Acousia seems to keep a low profile, so for now don’t expect to find any additional details about these eight compounds): http://www.acousia.com/

Last but not least, a fun fact.

Aside from the repurposed drugs that might hold hearing restoration potential, there is another compound related to KCNQ4 mentioned in the paper. An exotic one, as described in one of the cited papers: Subtype-Selective Activation of Kv7 Channels by AaTXKβ(2–64), a Novel Toxin Variant from the Androctonus australis Scorpion Venom.

Scorpion venom. Hmmm…

AUTHOR’S NOTE: There is something oddly reassuring about the thought of researchers from around the world leaving no stone unturned (and no tiny venomous creature unexamined) in search of a potential hearing loss cure.

A good reminder that we never know where (or from what) the next big discovery will arise. Nature is full of secrets and science is constantly uncovering these surprises…

KCNQ4 activators meme hearing loss scorpion

More updates to follow…

How to get KCNQ4 activator updates

  • Join the free email newsletter to get updates related to repurposed drugs targeting KCNQ4 (plus, news about other promising treatments in development for hearing restoration). Expect between 1 and 3 emails per week. But only when something interesting appears on the radar. No spam, no promotional emails, no third parties, and one-click unsubscribe. Privacy respected.

References

  • Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5647; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115647
  • Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052510
  • Molecular Pharmacology November 2013, 84 (5) 763-773; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.113.088971

Inhalation of Molecular Hydrogen, a Rescue Treatment for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

June 1, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Inhalation of Molecular Hydrogen, a Rescue Treatment for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

TITLE:
Inhalation of Molecular Hydrogen, a Rescue Treatment for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
Front Cell Neurosci. 2021 Jun 1;15:658662. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2021.658662. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Noise exposure is the most important external factor causing acquired hearing loss in humans, and it is strongly associated with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cochlea. Several studies reported that the administration of various compounds with antioxidant effects can treat oxidative stress-induced hearing loss. However, traditional systemic drug administration to the human inner ear is problematic and has not been successful in a clinical setting. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop rescue treatment for patients with acute acoustic injuries. Hydrogen gas has antioxidant effects, rapid distribution, and distributes systemically after inhalation.The purpose of this study was to determine the protective efficacy of a single dose of molecular hydrogen (H2 ) on cochlear structures. Guinea pigs were divided into six groups and sacrificed immediately after or at 1 or 2 weeks. The animals were exposed to broadband noise for 2 h directly followed by 1-h inhalation of 2% H2 or room air. Electrophysiological hearing thresholds using frequency-specific auditory brainstem response (ABR) were measured prior to noise exposure and before sacrifice. ABR thresholds were significantly lower in H2 -treated animals at 2 weeks after exposure, with significant preservation of outer hair cells in the entire cochlea. Quantification of synaptophysin immunoreactivity revealed that H2 inhalation protected the cochlear inner hair cell synaptic structures containing synaptophysin. The inflammatory response was greater in the stria vascularis, showing increased Iba1 due to H2 inhalation.Repeated administration of H2 inhalation may further improve the therapeutic effect. This animal model does not reproduce conditions in humans, highlighting the need for additional real-life studies in humans.

PMID:34140880 | PMC:PMC8205059 | DOI:10.3389/fncel.2021.658662

SOURCE:
Frontiers in cellular neuroscience

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34140880

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34140880

DOI:
10.3389/fncel.2021.658662

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 18 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-06-01T05:34:01Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/18/21 01:25PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34140880/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2021.658662

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.658662/full?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-06-18T17:25:36+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

May 31, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

TITLE:
Effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss

CONTENT:
J Int Adv Otol. 2021 May;17(3):207-214. doi: 10.5152/iao.2021.8549.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: (1) To test the effect of local administration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). (2) To test the effect of local administration of IGF-1 in patients with ototoxicity.

METHODS: Forty patients with SNHL were included in the study. Their hearing thresholds at different frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) along with the average hearing threshold were noted. The patients were then randomly allocated to 2 groups and were treated with IGF-1 via one of the following routes: (1) intratympanic injection and (2) Gelfoam. Patients were followed-up at weekly intervals for 6 weeks but follow-up PTA was done at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months only.

RESULTS: Forty patients (25 male, 15 female) participated in the study. Their age ranged from 13 to 63 years, with a mean of 31.3 years. Nineteen (47.5%) patients exhibited some degree of recovery after 6 months of follow-up, while 21 (52.5%) did not exhibit any recovery. Fourteen (35%) patients showed slight recovery (SR), 1 (4%) patient showed marked recovery, and complete recovery was observed in 4 (10%) patients. Twelve of the 20 patients who underwent treatment using Gelfoam showed improvement in hearing (measured as a reduction in hearing threshold), while only 7 of the 20 patients who underwent intratympanic injection showed such improvement. Among adverse reactions, the most common was pain (88%) which typically did not last beyond 3 days. Other adverse reactions observed were dizziness (24%) and headache (20%). One patient suffered from acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM) and had a perforation in the tympanic membrane. However, this was treated successfully with medications.

CONCLUSION: Intratympanic IGF-1 is a novel drug that has shown early promise in controlling and reversing SNHL.

PMID:34100744 | DOI:10.5152/iao.2021.8549

SOURCE:
The journal of international advanced otology

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34100744

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34100744

DOI:
10.5152/iao.2021.8549

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-06-04T13:09:30Z

DATE – ADDED:
06/08/21 02:54PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34100744/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5152/iao.2021.8549

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.advancedotology.org/en/effects-of-insulin-like-growth-factor-igf-1-in-patients-with-sensorineural-hearing-loss-131632?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-06-08T18:54:02+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

CMS121, a fatty acid synthase inhibitor, reduced hearing loss and increased preservation of ribbon synapses in the mid-range frequencies

May 31, 2021

A noteworthy abstract from The Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) 44th Annual MWM held a few months ago:

Attenuation of Age-Related Hearing Loss in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Prone 8 (SAMP8) Mice Treated With Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitor CMS121

Background

The senescence-accelerated prone strain 8 (SAMP8) mouse model provides opportunities to investigate potential therapies for age-related hearing loss (ARHL), the most common sensory disorder in older humans. In SAMP8 mice, oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation, apoptosis, and premature senescence. CMS121 is a fatty acid synthase inhibitor previously shown to improve cognitive function in SAMP8 mice through anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in the hippocampus. Given the common cellular pathways leading to age-related dysfunction inthe hippocampus and cochlea, the aim of our study is to determine whether CMS121 is protective against ARHL in SAMP8 mice.

Methods

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) across six frequencies (4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 32 kHz) were used to assess baseline hearing in sixteen 4-week-old SAMP8 mice, which were then split into age-matched groups with similar average hearing thresholds. The control group was then fed a vehicle diet, while the experimental group was fed a diet with CMS121. ABR measurements were repeated at seven, ten, and thirteen weeks of age. Cochlear immunohistochemistry was then performed using Ctbp2, GluR2, and Myo7a to analyze the number of paired ribbon-receptor synapses per inner hair cell (IHC). Descriptive statistics are provided with mean ±SEM (Standard Error of the Mean). Two-sample t-tests were performed to compare hearing thresholds and paired synapse count across the two groups, with alpha = 0.05.

Results

Baseline hearing thresholds across the six frequencies in the control group (77.5± 5.9, 59.0 ± 9.5, 44.2 ± 6.1, 47.5 ± 7.8, 36.8 ± 6.0, and 35.0 ± 7.2) were statistically similar to those of the CMS121 group (74.9 ± 2.3, 51.4 ± 3.7, 42.3 ± 3.3, 45.8 ± 5.0, 37.8 ± 4.6, and 33.3 ± 4.7.) While the control group showed progressive ARHL (hearing thresholds at 13 weeks were 84.0 ± 6.4, 63.8 ± 10.0, 56.5 ± 6.1, 64.8 ± 7.4, 37.0 ± 6.4, and 38.3 ± 6.1), the CMS121 group maintained stable hearing thresholds at 13 weeks (73.1 ± 4.0, 50.0 ± 4.5, 39.8 ± 3.8, 43.8 ± 4.4, 31.6 ± 4.3, and 35.8 ± 7.1). At that time, the control group had significantly worse hearing thresholds at 12 kHz (56.5 vs. 39.8, p = 0.044) and 16 kHz (64.8 vs. 43.8, p = 0.040) compared to the CMS121 group. Immunohistochemistry showed a significantly lower synapse count per IHC in the control group (15.7) compared to the CMS121 group (18.4), p = 0.014.

Conclusions

Our study shows a significant reduction in hearing loss and increased preservation of ribbon synapses in the mid-range frequencies among mice treated with CMS121 compared to untreated mice. These findings support expanding the scope of current research on CMS121 to further investigate the promising role of this compound as a protective agent against ARHL.

Further study will be needed to explore whether CMS121 can reverse any pre-existing hearing loss. But considering how nearly all forms of hearing loss are progressive (albeit some are slower than others), a decibel saved is a decibel earned gained.

As far as mechanism is concerned, it seems to show potential in combating the damaging effects of noise-induced lipid peroxidation. But there’s likely a few things going on.

“But human trials must be years away.”

Fortunately this drug candidate has a bit of a head start, as it is being studied in Alzheimer’s disease:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213231720308533

That’s all for now. More information to follow.

These unfinished notes on CMS121 are for email subscribers. Sign up here.

Advancements in Stem Cell Technology and Organoids for the Restoration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

May 25, 2021

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34034344/

https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1728677

Advancements in Stem Cell Technology and Organoids for the Restoration of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

FOXG1 promotes aging inner ear hair cell survival through activation of the autophagy pathway

May 19, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
FOXG1 promotes aging inner ear hair cell survival through activation of the autophagy pathway

TITLE:
FOXG1 promotes aging inner ear hair cell survival through activation of the autophagy pathway

CONTENT:
Autophagy. 2021 May 19:1-22. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1916194. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Presbycusis is the cumulative effect of aging on hearing. Recent studies have shown that common mitochondrial gene deletions are closely related to deafness caused by degenerative changes in the auditory system, and some of these nuclear factors are proposed to participate in the regulation of mitochondrial function. However, the detailed mechanisms involved in age-related degeneration of the auditory systems have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that FOXG1 plays an important role in the auditory degeneration process through regulation of macroautophagy/autophagy. Inhibition of FOXG1 decreased the autophagy activity and led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent apoptosis of cochlear hair cells. Recent clinical studies have found that aspirin plays important roles in the prevention and treatment of various diseases by regulating autophagy and mitochondria function. In this study, we found that aspirin increased the expression of FOXG1, which further activated autophagy and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species and inhibited apoptosis, and thus promoted the survival of mimetic aging HCs and HC-like OC-1 cells. This study demonstrates the regulatory function of the FOXG1 transcription factor through the autophagy pathway during hair cell degeneration in presbycusis, and it provides a new molecular approach for the treatment of age-related hearing loss.Abbreviations : AHL: age-related hearing loss; baf: bafilomycin A1; CD: common deletion; D-gal: D-galactose; GO: glucose oxidase; HC: hair cells; mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; RAP: rapamycin; ROS: reactive oxygen species; TMRE: tetramethylrhodamine, ethyl ester.

PMID:34006186 | DOI:10.1080/15548627.2021.1916194

SOURCE:
Autophagy

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:34006186

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:34006186

DOI:
10.1080/15548627.2021.1916194

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 19 May 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-05-19T07:55:51Z

DATE – ADDED:
05/19/21 12:19PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34006186/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2021.1916194

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15548627.2021.1916194?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-05-19T16:19:43+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Vinpocetine Improves Hearing in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results from a Phase 2 Study

May 16, 2021

New findings published in the Journal of Pharmacological Sciences outline the effectiveness of vinpocetine, a sodium channel blocker, as a treatment for sensorineural hearing loss.

“…with the use of vinpocetine, the hearing capacity improved. It is concluded that vinpocetine helps to stop hearing impairment and even improve hearing.”

Source: J Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Apr;145(4):313-318. doi: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.01.010. PMID: 33712282.

Researchers conducted a phase 2 trial to determine if treatment with 30mg/day of vinpocetine could stop or reverse hearing deterioration in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.

Quick background from Wikipedia:

“Vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate) is a synthetic derivative of the vinca alkaloid vincamine. Vincamine is extracted from either the seeds of Voacanga africana or the leaves of Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle).”

Obligatory photo of the flowering plant:

periwinkle photo
“Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor)” (Photo credit: Ryan Kaldari)

More information:

The results, which were recently printed in the April issue of JPS, in a paper titled, “Evaluation of vinpocetine as a therapy in patients with sensorineural hearing loss: A phase II, open-label, single-center study”, appear promising.

Here is the abstract (emphasis ours):

Abstract
The progressive degeneration of the excitable cells of the ear depends on the sustained excitation of the voltage-sensitive sodium channels, so the negative pharmacological modulation could be a rational therapeutic strategy against the damage of these cells. The objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of Vinpocetine (VPC), a potent sodium channel blocker, as a treatment for acquired sensorineural hearing loss. A phase II, longitudinal and prospective open clinical study, was conducted over a period of 12 months with patients older than 18 years, to demonstrate the effectiveness of Vinpocetine (VPC) as a treatment for acquired sensorineural hearing loss, using evoked potentials, otoacoustic emissions, audiometry and logoaudiometry, analyzing the results at 6 and 12 months of treatment with Vinpocetine (30 mg/day in 3 doses). It was observed that from 0 to 6 months there was hearing impairment (which was already expected due to the age of the patients). From 6 to 12 months and from 0 to 12 months there were significant differences with a tendency towards improvement, indicating that the aforementioned deterioration not only stopped, but that with the use of vinpocetine, the hearing capacity improved. It is concluded that Vinpocetine helps to stop hearing impairment and even improve hearing.

Link to the full-text version of the paper plus a backup link to the entry on PubMed:

  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1347861321000116
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33712282/
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences front cover
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (JPS) is an international open access journal that publishes research on “novel and exciting pharmacological findings.” (Source: ScienceDirect)

More information on vinpocetine will follow.

For now, here are some quick notes followed by links to further reading:

  • semisynthetic natural product
  • derived from the periwinkle plant
  • has anti-inflammatory properties
  • has the ability to modulate sodium and channel channels
  • is used as a vasodilator for cerebrovascular and age-related memory disorders
  • regulates levels of toll-like receptors
  • subject of debate, controversy, and FDA activity/memos [comment: to anyone reading this, be very careful of vinpocetine for sale on the internet. This article is not meant to suggest any treatment and especially not a do-it-yourself vinpocetine regimen. Furthermore, one of the studies I read tested supplement products that listed  vinpocetine as an ingredient… and found that many of these products actually contained no vinpocetine (and/or worse, “replacement” ingredients that were not listed on the bottle).]
  • a search for vinpocetine on PubMed shows a lot of results, quite recent too… hmmm…

Some interesting articles on vinpocetine [author’s note: this “drug” keeps getting more interesting the more I read about it…]:

  • Vinpocetine: drug or dietary supplement?
    FDA signals intent to regulate semisynthetic dietary ingredient as a drug
    https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i43/Vinpocetine-drug-dietary-supplement.html
  • Vinpocetine: An Unapproved Drug Sold as a Dietary Supplement
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.008
  • Vinpocetine – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinpocetine

Two more scientific papers, related to vinpocetine and the auditory system:

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15546779/
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15279871/

That’s all for now.

Michael Sutton

P.S. This article is a DRAFT COPY (work in progress). An early access link is provided to HearingLossTreatmentReport.com email subscribers. Not signed up? It’s free. Subscribe to the newsletter here »

P.P.S. You can email me at michael@urgentresearch.com if you have feedback/comments or just want to say hello.

Frequency Therapeutics Expects to Initiate a New FX-322 Phase 2 Study Before End of 2021

May 13, 2021

https://investors.frequencytx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/frequency-therapeutics-provides-business-updates-and-reports-5

Frequency Therapeutics Plans to Initiate New FX-322 Phase 2 Study in Second Half of 2021

Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1 are essential for spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cell development

May 11, 2021

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8170689/

Neurog1, Neurod1, and Atoh1 are essential for spiral ganglia, cochlear nuclei, and cochlear hair cell development

Start of ACOU085 (Acousia Therapeutics) phase 1 study in patients with hearing loss is planned for the second half of 2021

May 10, 2021

https://www.b3cnewswire.com/202105102218/hearing-loss-company-acousia-therapeutics-presenting-at-upcoming-drug-development-and-b2b-conferences.html

Start of ACOU085 (Acousia Therapeutics) phase 1 study in patients with hearing loss is planned for the second half of 2021

Discovery of new hearing loss gene in humans [GAS2]

May 7, 2021

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-05-discovery-genetic-loss-illuminates-ear.html

Discovery of new hearing loss gene in humans – the first one known to affect the mechanical properties of inner ear support cells

Drug distribution along the cochlea is strongly enhanced by low-frequency round window micro vibrations [Preprint]

May 6, 2021

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.05.442757v1.full

Drug distribution along the cochlea is strongly enhanced by low-frequency round window micro vibrations
Samuel M. Flaherty, View ORCID ProfileIan J. Russell, View ORCID ProfileAndrei N. Lukashkin
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.05.442757

FGF signaling system for hearing restoration

May 4, 2021

Researchers at the University of Utah’s Mansour Lab are studying the Fibroblast Growth Factor signaling pathway with the long-term goal of harnessing developmental signals to drive hearing restoration.

“Our results will contribute new knowledge to the long-term goal of harnessing developmental signals to drive hearing restoration.”

The project has received funding from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and will continue through January 2022.

According to investigators, the results “will facilitate future efforts to manipulate the FGF signaling system for hearing restoration.”

First, they will use mouse models to investigate the role of the Fibroblast Growth Factor signaling pathway and its critical role in the inner ear.

But the findings could uncover key development signals that could potentially be commandeered to restore hearing function.

Dr. Mansour photo
TEAM LEADER a.k.a. Professor Mansour (Photo credit: University of Utah website)

The team is being led by Dr. Suzanne L. Mansour (Molecular Biology Program – FGFs and Inner Ear Development, Mouse models of hearing loss and restoration), who has been studying these FGF signals since the early 2000s.

Here is the full abstract and public health relevance statement:

Regulation of inner ear development by FGF signals and effectors

Mansour, Suzanne L.
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Abstract

Morphogenesis of the inner ear epithelium requires coordinated deployment of several signaling pathways and disruptions cause abnormalities of hearing and/or balance. With the advent of cochlear implantation to treat hearing loss even in cases of inner ear malformation, it is critical to understand exactly how such malformations affect the auditory ganglia and innervation. Also, in light of the intense focus on in vitro generation of inner ear cell types for transplantation and in vivo manipulation of developmental signaling molecules to promote differentiation of various inner ear cells for hearing restoration, elucidating the roles and regulation of such signals and their effectors governing otic differentiation and morphogenesis are necessary to advance treatment. The genes encoding FGF3 and FGF10, ligands that signal through FGFR2b and FGFR1b, are expressed dynamically throughout otic development in both epithelial and ganglion domains. Studies conducted by the Mansour Lab of both conventional Fgf3 and Fgf10 conditional knockout mice and those expressing a doxycycline-inducible ligand trap (dnFGFR2b) that rapidly inhibits signaling through both FGFR1b and FGFR2b, showed that Fgf3 and Fgf10 are not required in the placode lineage for otocyst formation, but are required subsequently for otocyst patterning, neuroblast maintenance, epithelial proliferation and both vestibular and cochlear morphogenesis. Furthermore, the first genome wide analyses of otocyst mRNA revealed FGFR2b/1b signaling targets that define novel candidates for genes involved in otic morphogenesis and function. This proposal has two Aims addressing the hypotheses that 1) FGFR2b/1b signaling is required continuously for both otic neuroblast specification and maintenance, and that at later stages, mesenchymal signaling, as well as that in the epithelial and ganglion domains, is required for cochlear epithelial differentiation and ganglion maintenance and 2) FGFR2b/1b downstream target genes mediate some or all of the effects of FGFR2b/1b signaling on otic morphogenesis and gangliogenesis. To determine the early role of FGFR2b/1b signaling in otic ganglion formation and its later role in epithelial differentiation and ganglion maintenance, DOX-induced ubiquitous and CRE-limited expression of dnFGFR2b will be employed and morphology and molecular markers of otic patterning, proliferation and survival in both tissues will be assessed. To determine the roles of downstream targets of FGFR2b/1b signaling, two genes encoding transcription factors that are activated by FGFR2b/1b signaling and one gene encoding a BMP signaling regulator that is repressed by FGFR2b/1b signaling will be studied. Otic conditional mutants will be generated for each gene, and their morphologic and functional development will be assessed. In addition, the extent to which the BMP regulator contributes to the dnFGFR2b phenotypes and the effects of overexpressing the BMP regulator will be assessed. The results will contribute new knowledge that will facilitate future efforts to manipulate the FGF signaling system for hearing restoration.

Public Health Relevance

Permanent hearing loss caused by malformation of the inner ear or congenital or progressive loss of its sensory or neural cells affects up to one third of individuals by the age of 80 and generates significant social and healthcare costs. In this proposal, we use mouse models to investigate the role of the Fibroblast Growth Factor signaling pathway in forming the inner ear epithelium and neurons. Our results will contribute new knowledge to the long-term goal of harnessing developmental signals to drive hearing restoration.

For updates on Mansour’s FGF signaling system (and other hearing restoration research/treatments) sign up for free email updates (our newsletter) here.


References

Project #: 1R01DC019127-01

UC-Irvine researchers studying nicotine-like drugs to improve hearing and restore auditory function

May 1, 2021

Researchers at University of California-Irvine are testing the effects of nicotine to see if it will reduce or reverse auditory decline.

The research is part of a new project funded by the NIA division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The project was recently awarded $640,473 in grant money for 2021 to determine, in humans and mice, whether nicotine’s effects can restore auditory function.

It began a few months ago and will continue until at least the end of 2021. (If successful, it could continue to receive more funding every year, until the end of 2025.)

Worth pointing out: nicotine, in this context, is NOT related to tobacco, smoking, or vaping. This is some sort of pharmaceutical nicotine, apparently:

“Because nicotine enhances cortical and cognitive function, pharmaceutical companies are developing nicotine-like drugs … These drugs are non-addictive (unlike nicotine in tobacco), yet nicotine also is non-addictive when given topically or orally.”

And, according to the project description, a positive outcome “will facilitate the translation of nicotine-based therapeutic treatments for hearing loss to clinical populations.”

Here is a shortened version of the project Abstract and Public Health Relevance Statement (formatting and emphasis ours):

Ideally, a combination of drug treatment with hearing aids and behavioral training could restore auditory function, but the development of pharmacological treatments requires a better understanding of the mechanisms by which candidate drugs improve hearing.

The goals of this proposal are to develop biomarkers of altered auditory processing in aging mice and humans, and using these biomarkers, to test the hypothesis that nicotine can normalize these age-related central auditory deficits.

Because nicotine enhances cortical and cognitive function, pharmaceutical companies are developing nicotine-like drugs to target cognitive deficits in aging. These drugs are non-addictive (unlike nicotine in tobacco), yet nicotine also is non-addictive when given topically or orally. However, its clinical benefits have not been exploited except as an aid to stop smoking.

We hypothesize that: 1) acute nicotine compensates for the age-related decline in inhibition by exciting the remaining inhibitory neurons; 2) chronic nicotine exposure (CNE) upregulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs); and, as a result, 3) acute nicotine and/or CNE will reduce or reverse the age-related auditory decline.

We will test these hypotheses in both mouse and human at the level of cells (mouse in vitro brain slice), neural systems (mouse in vivo physiology; human brain imaging and EEG) and behavior (human psychoacoustics).

  • Aim 1 will determine in mouse whether age-related decline in auditory spectrotemporal processing is reversed by acute nicotine or CNE, and characterize the associated cellular mechanisms.
  • Aim 2 will identify, in humans, age-related changes in receptive field properties in auditory cortex using novel fMRI techniques and determine if nicotine reverses these changes using psychoacoustics, fMRI and EEG.

This project features a multifaceted, parallel approach in mouse and human. Each Aim will:

  1. examine auditory processing at multiple adult ages;
  2. use similar acoustic stimuli in both species, accounting for species differences in hearing, to target common mechanisms;
  3. test the effects of nicotine.

A successful outcome will promote an integrated understanding across levels, from cellular mechanisms to perception, and facilitate translation of nicotine-based therapeutic treatments to clinical populations.

nicotine for hearing improvement grant screenshot
Image source: HHS Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS), 5/1/2021

Public Health Relevance Statement

Nicotine enhances auditory and cognitive functions because it mimics the brain’s system for “paying attention” to important sounds amid distractions (for example, understanding speech in a noisy environment). In part, nicotine does this by activating inhibitory neurons in the auditory cortex. Since age-related hearing deficits result in part from the loss of inhibitory neurons, this project will determine, in humans and mice, whether nicotine’s effects can compensate for reduced inhibition in aging and thereby restore auditory function.

For some more background on the science and theory behind nicotine and hearing, here is a good paper from last year:

Nicotine Enhances Auditory Processing in Healthy and Normal-Hearing Young Adult Nonsmokers March 2020
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7039769/

Nicotine improves auditory performance in difficult listening situations. The present results support future investigation of nicotine effects in clinical populations with auditory processing deficits or reduced cholinergic activation.

The UC Irvine project described in this post is part of the story. There is also a separate project, also at UC Irvine, titled, “Nicotinic enhancement of auditory-cognitive processing.” (Also awarded a grant worth over $600,000.)

From the project narrative section of the description:

The drug nicotine enhances auditory-cognitive function because it “hijacks” the brain’s endogenous system for directing attention to important sounds (for example, understanding speech in a noisy environment). This project seeks to determine if one kind of nicotine receptor (a2 subtype) and one kind of neuron (VIP) in two key regions of the cerebral cortex (auditory cortex and prefrontal cortex) play essential roles in nicotine’s effects. The long-term goal is to understand brain mechanisms of auditory processing and guide development of novel drug treatments for auditory-cognitive disorders.

We will be following this research and these nicotine/hearing improvement projects and posting updates as important milestones are met.

This article is an unfinished draft and a work in progress. You are accessing it early because this not-yet-public link is sent to email subscribers.

References

Exported on 05/01/2021 from the HHS Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS), http://taggs.hhs.gov, Project Number 1R01AG067073-01A1

DB-301: Update on Decibel Therapeutics’ cochlear hair cell regeneration program for hearing loss

April 28, 2021

An unofficial update on Decibel Therapeutics’ secretive gene therapy program to treat sensorineural hearing loss by regenerating cochlear outer hair cells…

First, the official story, followed by a big “unofficial” update on “DB-301″…

Officially:

Laurence Reid, CEO of Decibel Therapeutics, had this to say during a recent presentation at the 20th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference – from April 15, 2021:

Laurence Reid: We have an earlier stage program with respect to the cochlea. The goal is to drive differentiation of the supporting cell, through an immature hair cell, and then on particularly to either generate the outer hair cell or potentially the inner hair cell – for treating different types of patient populations with different cellular bases for their hearing loss.

Here is a slide from the presentation:

Officially, we also have some background information thanks to a recent Decibel Therapeutics, Inc SEC filing (emphasis ours):

Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration

Age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss affect millions of people in the United States and Europe. Research has shown that the degree of hearing loss in these populations is best predicted by the amount of outer hair cell loss. We believe that restoring outer hair cells could restore hearing in these individuals. In our cochlear hair cell regeneration program, we are designing an AAV-based gene therapy that utilizes cell-selective expression of reprogramming factors to convert supporting cells into outer hair cells. We are currently conducting preclinical in vitro and in vivo rodent studies to evaluate the cell-selectivity of certain proprietary promoters and the ability of certain reprogramming factors that may drive an outer hair cell fate.

In that same filing, we learn that Decibel Therapeutics plans to announce the targets for this cochlear hair cell regeneration program in 2022. Excerpt and pipeline snapshot:

In addition, we are advancing our cochlear hair cell regeneration program to treat acquired hearing loss by regenerating cochlear outer hair cells. We plan to announce the targets for our cochlear hair cell regeneration program in 2022.

Deceibel Therapeutics 2022 cochlear hair cell regeneration program target date

However, we might not need to wait until 2022 for that update, because…

Unofficially:

Our independent research has uncovered what appear to be details related to Decibel’s “Cochlear Hair Cell Regeneration Program” (a.k.a. the gene therapy program which could potentially be given the name “DB-301”)…

“DB-301”?

That’s our unofficial code name, inferred from Decibel’s naming scheme (“AAV.RF301” or “AAV.301” + “DB” = DB-301).

From a Decibel Therapeutics corporate overview presented during Citi’s 15th Annual BioPharma Virtual Conference:

Possibly DB-301 Decibel Therapeutics

As you can see, this slide looks like a perfect match for the cochlear hair cell regeneration program. (Which is why we’re calling this an “early update” on the program.)

Confidential?

The presentation has the word “confidential” written on page 19.

However, the source of this information – a PDF document – is currently available on Decibel’s website. (It is indexed by search engines and accessible to the public. We have archived it digitally as well, for record-keeping purposes.)

But Wait There's More meme
Was the information below included in the presentation on purpose? or accidentally? Hmmm…

Intentional?

Furthermore, within this PDF – on page 19, in very, very, very tiny text – is a list of what appear to be outer hair cell candidate targets (copy+pasted):

Hdac3 Kdm4a Mtpn Htatip2 Dnmt3a Mlxip Foxo3
oxn3 Prnp Sall1 Pknox2 Klf9 Rora Six2 Trps1 Actn4 Mef2a Pdcd11 Nfkb1 Hlcs Zfp410 Banp Zbtb7b Esrra E2f3 Zfp740 Zkscan3 Creb3l1 Ighm Zfp324 Arnt Lig1 Elk3 Zbtb40 Crem Smarca2 Nfatc2 Rest Nfib Zfp608 Nfix Smad7 Mafk Adarb1 Irf6 Nacc2 Rorb Bhlhe40 Ikzf2 Jun Zfp423 Nr3c1 Tppp Cat Zfp637 Zfp777 Kmt2a Nr2f2 Zfp592 Pura Zfp365 Zbtb46 Zfp654 BC005561 Zfp516 Cic Zhx3 Rxra Zfp106 Zfp277 Thra Tmem33 Zc3h7a Srrm3 Pds5a Zbtb4 Ube2k Ctbp2 Id4 Srebf1 Nfat5 Ddit3 Sall3 Mdm2 Srebf2 Gtf2i Prdx5 Smap2 Zbtb7a Zfp618 Gata3 Irf9 Mef2d Taf1 Zfp523 Kdm2a Abcf2 Zfp398 Zfp638 Hmg20a Msi2 Nmral1 Tead1 ead2 H2afy Irx3 Ezh2 Rfxap Sox9 Tgif2 Egr4 Egr3 Npas4 Sox11 Fhl2 Prox1 Sox2 Cers2 Gm10093 Dazap1 Dnajc21 Isl1 Ran Ebf1 Atoh1 Hes6 Rpl35 Rps10 Psma6 Akr1a1 Barhl1 Smarca5 Ruvbl1 U2af1 Gtf2a2 Zfp428 Ssbp3 Zfp326 Nuak1 Pknox1 Cyb5r1 Tceal5 Msra Cers6 Zmat4 Bcl11b Npdc1 Bcl2 Ybx1 Stub1 Zmat2 Zfp667 Yeats4 Tfdp2 Hnrnpa1 Tfdp1 Rbm17 Hmgn3 Lhx3 Cers4 Ugp2 Bax Mrps25 H1fx Nap1l1 Pax2 Traf4 Mcm6 Neurod6 Rab2a Cd59a Ptcd1 Klf7 Las1l Cdk2ap1 Mycl Nono Zfp330 Insm1 Irx2 Id1 Id2 Magoh Nr2f6 Zbtb20 Diablo Gar1 Snrpb2 Rps4x Zmiz1 Hnrnpc Nr2f1 Rbpj Lsm6 Hmgb2 Tbpl1

Is this a short list of targets that Decibel is planning to choose from and announce in 2022?

Time will tell.

But, taken together, all this information leads us to believe that Decibel Therapeutics could have an earlier update for us about all these “unofficial” details (including the name “DB-301”, which is just one possibility).

References

https://wsw.com/webcast/needham107/deci/2205522

http://www.decibeltx.com/wp-content/uploads/ARO-2021_Inner-Ear-Tropism_Poster-1.pdf

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1656536/000156459021016167/0001564590-21-016167.txt

http://www.decibeltx.com/wp-content/uploads/Decibel-Corp-Overview-Q320-CITI-conference.pdf

COMMENT: This article was made available to email subscribers several days early. If you want early access to updates like this one, join the email updates list. It’s free, no spam, and your information is kept private.

AOK-1 for hearing loss: a new regenerative drug from Hough Ear Institute

April 22, 2021

Hough Ear Institute is developing a new drug that uses RNA technology to regenerate inner ear hair cells and restore lost hearing.

AOK-1 siRNA therapeutic from Hough Ear Institute slide
The source of this information is a video recording of a meeting between Hough Hearing Institute CEO Dr. Richard Kopke and members of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America. The recording was uploaded to YouTube and shared with the public on April 15, 2021.

The name of the drug is AOK-1.

Unlike Hough’s first drug, NHPN-1010, AOK-1 is not a pill.

Instead, it is an injection.

And the way it works is equally different.

New: Breakthrough Number Two from Hough Crew

The Hough pill aims to restore hearing by repairing and reestablishing the connections to hair cells. It is designed to rescue or salvage “stranded” sensory cells.

This AOK-1 injection, on the other hand, aims to restore hearing by regenerating, repairing and regrowing the sensory cells themselves. Perhaps even from virtually scratch.

The dream? That AOK-1 could someday give hearing to people affected by even the most severe forms of noise-induced hearing loss.

“…like releasing a ‘parking brake’ on the regenerative process”

Hough Ear Institute CEO Dr. Richard Kopke recently shared the first details on AOK-1, including the big idea behind its mechanism.

From the video (transcribed and lightly edited for clarity and brevity):

The next technology is the one that is injected into the ear and we call it AOK-1. And it’s a regenerative therapeutic. It’s a regenerative drug and it’s an RNA technology. It’s an RNA molecule that eliminates a protein that keeps the hair cells from regenerating in the cochlea. So it’s like a parking brake on the whole regenerative process in the cochlea. When we get rid of that protein, then the hair cells can generate.

In short, AOK-1 is being developed to awaken the human body’s innate ability to repair and regrow its lost or damaged inner ear hair cells. The same way many animals, including birds, frogs, and fish, can naturally regenerate lost sensory cells and hearing. AOK-1, a small interfering RNA achives this by interfering with the protein that is responsible for keeping this regenerative power “asleep” in humans.

A “same-day” hearing restoration procedure?

Dr. Richard Kopke also explained how the drug is being designed as an outpatient “same-day” procedure. It does not require an overnight stay at the hospital. Rather, you get it and go home shortly after. The procedure involves some numbing drops for the ear drum, followed by a minimally invasive injection of thermosensitive hydrogel that contains the active drug.

This delivery method is discussed during the presentation:

AOK-1 injection delivery method photograph

Importantly, the science appears to be getting there. In vivo animal model experiments are showing lots of promise. (The research behind AOK-1, by the way, is supported by a $1.9 million Department of Defense CDMRP grant.)

AOK-1 before and after

And although AOK-1 is still in preclinical development, Dr. Richard Kopke concluded his presentation with a “hint” at the possibility of upcoming human clinical trials…

His exact words:

Currently we’re under talks and negotiations with another pharmaceutical company that would like to take this technology, license it, and bring it to the clinic. It seems to be a robust, reproducible technology that restores hearing.

The full presentation from Dr. Richard Kopke is available on YouTube: March 2021 – Hough Institute Breakthrough – Member Meeting (uploaded on April 15, 2021). The AOK-1 part of the presentation starts at the 33 minutes, 56 seconds (33:56) timestamp.

For updates on the progress of AOK-1 and its progress toward human studies, subscribe to our free email newsletter (updates).


For those of you who are eager to dive deeper into the science behind AOK-1, here are links to the original research papers:

  • https://houghear.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Shibata-Gene-therapy-for-hair-cell-regeneration-Review-and-new-data.pdf [PDF]
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595519304964?via%3Dihub

References:

Source: Hearing Loss Association of America – Oklahoma Central Chapter. (2021, April 15). March 2021 – Hough Institute Breakthrough – Member Meeting [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCed87H92S4

Acknowledgements: Credit belongs to reddit user u/filleorange for finding and sharing the link to this informative video. (When it was first posted to reddit, the video only had a measly 4 views!)


Comments? Questions? Feedback?

Send an email to:

michael@hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

… and say hello!

Primary Neural Degeneration in Noise-Exposed Human Cochleas: Implications for Regenerative Therapeutics

April 21, 2021

https://www.jneurosci.org/content/early/2021/04/19/JNEUROSCI.3238-20.2021

Research Articles, Systems/Circuits
Primary Neural Degeneration in Noise-Exposed Human Cochleas: Correlations with Outer Hair Cell Loss and Word-Discrimination Scores

Journal of Neuroscience 21 April 2021, JN-RM-3238-20; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3238-20.2021

Abstract
Animal studies suggest that cochlear nerve degeneration precedes sensory cell degeneration in both noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and age-related hearing loss (ARHL), producing a hearing impairment that is not reflected in audiometric thresholds. Here, we investigated the histopathology of human ARHL and NIHL by comparing loss of auditory nerve fibers (ANFs), cochlear hair cells and the stria vascularis in a group of 52 cases with noise-exposure history against an age-matched control group. Although strial atrophy increased with age, there was no effect of noise history. Outer hair cell (OHC) loss also increased with age throughout the cochlea but was unaffected by noise history in the low-frequency region (<2 kHz), while greatly exacerbated at high frequencies (≥2 kHz). Inner hair cell (IHC) loss was primarily seen at high frequencies but was unaffected by noise at either low or high frequencies. ANF loss was substantial at all cochlear frequencies and was exacerbated by noise throughout. According to a multivariable regression model, this loss of neural channels contributes to poor word discrimination among those with similar audiometric threshold losses. The histopathological patterns observed also suggest that, whereas the low-frequency OHC loss may be an unavoidable consequence of aging, the high-frequency loss, which produces the classic down-sloping audiogram of ARHL, may be partially because of avoidable ear abuse, even among those without a documented history of acoustic overexposure. Statement of Significance As regenerative therapeutics in sensorineural hearing loss enter clinical trials, it becomes critical to infer which cochlear pathologies are present in addition to hair cell loss. Here, by analyzing human autopsy material, we show that acoustic injury accelerates age-related primary neural degeneration, but not strial degeneration, neither of which can be inferred from audiometric thresholds. It exacerbates outer hair cell (OHC) loss only in the high-frequency half of the cochlea, suggesting that the apical loss is age-related, whereas the basal loss is partially noise induced, and therefore avoidable. Statistical analysis suggests that neural loss helps explain differences in word-recognition ability among individuals with similar audiometric thresholds. The surprising correlation between neural loss and OHC loss in the cochlea’s speech region also implicates neural loss in the well-known decline in word scores as thresholds deteriorate with age. Custom Title Primary Neural Degeneration in Noise-Exposed Human Cochleas: Implications for Regenerative Therapeutics

Rinri Therapeutics Raises £10 million to Advance its Novel Stem Cell Therapy to Reverse Sensorineural Hearing Loss

April 20, 2021

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rinri-therapeutics-raises-10-million-from-existing-investors-and-uk-future-fund-to-advance-its-novel-stem-cell-therapy-to-restore-hearing-loss-301271469.html

Rinri Therapeutics Raises £10 million from Existing Investors and UK Future Fund to Advance its Novel Stem Cell Therapy to Restore Hearing Loss

Rinri Therapeutics Raises £10 million to Advance its Novel Stem Cell Therapy to Reverse Sensorineural Hearing Loss

The proceeds will support the development of the Company’s novel stem cell therapy to reverse sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Department of Defense Hearing Restoration Research Program – Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21)

April 19, 2021

https://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2021/21hrrppreann

2021 Hearing Restoration Research Program
Hearing Restoration
NEWS RELEASE
Released: April 19, 2021
Defense Health Program
Department of Defense Hearing Restoration Research Program
Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21)

Nox3 might serve as a molecular target for the development of therapeutics for sensorineural hearing loss

April 13, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Nox3-derived superoxide in cochleae induces sensorineural hearing loss Mechanisms of Nox3-dependent hearing loss

TITLE:
Nox3-derived superoxide in cochleae induces sensorineural hearing loss Mechanisms of Nox3-dependent hearing loss

CONTENT:
J Neurosci. 2021 Apr 13:JN-RM-2672-20. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2672-20.2021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidases (Nox) contribute to the development of different types of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), a common impairment in humans with no established treatment. Although the essential role of Nox3 in otoconia biosynthesis and its possible involvement in hearing have been reported in rodents, immunohistological methods targeted at detecting Nox3 expression in inner ear cells reveal ambiguous results. Therefore, the mechanism underlying Nox3 -dependent SNHL remains unclear and warrants further investigation. We generated Nox3-Cre knock-in mice, in which Nox3 was replaced with Cre recombinase (Cre ). Using Nox3-Cre;tdTomato mice of either sex, in which tdTomato is expressed under the control of the Nox3 promoter, we determined Nox3-expressing regions and cell types in the inner ear. Nox3 -expressing cells in the cochlea included various types of supporting cells (SC), outer hair cells (OHC), inner hair cells (IHC), and spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). Nox3 expression increased with cisplatin, age, and noise insults. Moreover, increased Nox3 expression in SC and OHC, especially at the basal turn of the cochlea, played essential roles in ROS-related SNHL. The extent of Nox3 involvement in SNHL follows the following order: cisplatin-induced HL (CIHL) > age-related HL (ARHL) > noise-induced HL (NIHL). Here, on the basis of Nox3-Cre;tdTomato , which can be used as a reporter system (Nox3-Cre+/- ;tdTomato+/+ and Nox3-Cre+/+ ;tdTomato+/+ ), and Nox3 -KO (Nox3-Cre+/+ ;tdTomato+/+ ) mice, we demonstrate that Nox3 inhibition in the cochlea is a promising strategy for ROS-related SNHL, such as CIHL, ARHL, and NIHL.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We found Nox3-expressing regions and cell-types in the inner ear, especially in the cochlea, using Nox3-Cre;tdTomato mice, a reporter system generated in this study. Nox3 expression increased with cisplatin, age, and noise insults in specific cell-types in the cochlea and resulted in the loss (apoptosis) of outer hair cells. Thus, Nox3 might serve as a molecular target for the development of therapeutics for sensorineural hearing loss, particularly cisplatin-induced, age-related, and noise-induced hearing loss.

PMID:33849947 | DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2672-20.2021

SOURCE:
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:33849947

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:33849947

DOI:
10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2672-20.2021

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Wed, 14 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-04-13T18:12:49Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/14/21 09:45AM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33849947/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2672-20.2021

LINK – PUBLISHER:
http://www.jneurosci.org/lookup/doi/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2672-20.2021?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-04-14T13:45:44+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Rapamycin Added to Diet in Late Mid-Life Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss in Mice

April 7, 2021

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.658972/full

Rapamycin Added to Diet in Late Mid-Life Delays Age-Related Hearing Loss in UMHET4 Mice

PBM/NAC treatment may reduce hair cell loss associated with noise-induced hearing loss

April 6, 2021

PBM/NAC treatment may prevent hearing dysfunction caused by NIHL

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Combination photobiomodulation/N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment appears to mitigate hair cell loss associated with noise-induced hearing loss in rats

TITLE:
Combination photobiomodulation/N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment appears to mitigate hair cell loss associated with noise-induced hearing loss in rats

CONTENT:
Lasers Med Sci. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s10103-021-03304-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sensorineural hearing loss is an intractable disease. Acoustic overstimulation creates hearing loss; many patients exhibit social and emotional dysfunctions. In a model of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), low-level laser photobiomodulation (PBM) at a near-infrared wavelength significantly improved auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds. In addition, both N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) attenuated NIHL, reducing the effects of noise trauma in the cochlea and the central auditory system. Here, we combined PBM with antioxidants to explore hearing threshold recovery and morphological hair cell changes after rats were exposed to noise. The average auditory brainstem response thresholds after PBM/NAC combination treatment were reduced from the apex to the basal turn at all of 8, 16, and 32 kHz compared to the noise-only group. The PBM/NAC combination treated group exhibited intact outer hair cells in all turns, and significantly greater hair cell numbers in the middle and basal cochlear turns, than did controls. Thus, PBM/NAC treatment may prevent hearing dysfunction caused by NIHL.

PMID:33822307 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-021-03304-2

SOURCE:
Lasers in medical science

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:33822307

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:33822307

DOI:
10.1007/s10103-021-03304-2

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-04-06T07:04:00Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/06/21 07:30PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33822307/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-021-03304-2

LINK – PUBLISHER:
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10103-021-03304-2?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-04-06T23:30:28+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

Protective Effects of N(1)-Methylnicotinamide (MNAM) Against Hearing Loss via Moderate Overexpression of Sirtuin 1 Protein

April 6, 2021

CATEGORY:
Research

SCREENSHOT:
Protective Effects of N(1)-Methylnicotinamide Against High-Fat Diet- and Age-Induced Hearing Loss via Moderate Overexpression of Sirtuin 1 Protein

TITLE:
Protective Effects of N(1)-Methylnicotinamide Against High-Fat Diet- and Age-Induced Hearing Loss via Moderate Overexpression of Sirtuin 1 Protein

CONTENT:
Front Cell Neurosci. 2021 Apr 6;15:634868. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2021.634868. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common form of hearing loss and the predominant neurodegenerative disease associated with aging. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is associated with the most complex physiological processes, including metabolism, cancer onset, and aging. SIRT1 protein levels are enhanced by the conversion of nicotinamide to N1 -methylnicotinamide (MNAM), independent of its mRNA levels. Moreover, MNAM has implications in increased longevity achieved through its mitohormetic effects. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (Nnmt) is an enzyme involved in MNAM metabolism, and its level increases under caloric restriction (CR) conditions. The CR condition has implications in delaying ARHL onset. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between diet, hearing function, SIRT1 and SIRT3 expression levels in the inner ear, and cochlear morphology. Mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 1% MNAM, and low-fat diet (LFD) were monitored for age-related auditory-evoked brainstem responses, and changes in cochlear histology, metabolism, and protein and mRNA expressions were analyzed. Our results revealed that the HFD- and aging-mediated downregulated expression of SIRT1 and SIRT3 promoted hearing loss that was obfuscated by MNAM supplementation-induced upregulated expression of cochlear SIRT1 and SIRT3. Thus, our results suggest that MNAM can be used as a therapeutic agent for preventing ARHL.

PMID:33889076 | PMC:PMC8055820 | DOI:10.3389/fncel.2021.634868

SOURCE:
Frontiers in cellular neuroscience

PUBLISHER:

PMID:
pubmed:33889076

ID:
0b58ea4968e09ff10f4e1238c494f316pubmed:33889076

DOI:
10.3389/fncel.2021.634868

DATE – PUBLISHED:
Fri, 23 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400

DATE – DOI:
2021-04-06T04:35:29Z

DATE – ADDED:
04/23/21 01:45PM

LINK – PUBMED:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33889076/

LINK – DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2021.634868

LINK – PUBLISHER:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.634868/full?utm_source=hearinglosstreatmentreport.com

IMAGE:

REFERENCE:
Hearing Loss Treatment Report, Urgent Research, 2021-04-23T17:45:47+00:00, https://www.hearinglosstreatmentreport.com.

NLRP3 inhibitors such as Oridonin may provide new treatment strategy for noise-induced hearing loss

April 5, 2021

Some research that appeared on our radar recently: “Oridonin ameliorates noise-induced hearing loss by blocking NLRP3 – NEK7 mediated inflammasome activation” (March 23, 2021).

Link to the paper:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576921002125

Excerpt:

Here, we further determined that treatment with oridonin could indeed interrupt the interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7 as well as inhibit the downstream inflammasome activation in mouse cochleae after noise exposure. Furthermore, we tested anakinra, another inflammatory inhibitor, and it was shown to partially alleviate the degree of hearing impairment in some frequencies in an NIHL mouse model. These discoveries suggest that inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes and the downstream signaling pathway may provide a new strategy for the clinical treatment of NIHL.

see it's simple toy story meme hearing loss oridoninWhat does that mean?

Here is an extremely loose – but simple – explanation of what this means:

  • inflammation is involved in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
  • we aren’t sure how, exactly
  • but it seems that… sometimes… inflammation can go way too far
  • which might actually make things worse, or interfere with healing
  • this could be what happens in the ear after acoustic trauma
  • we aren’t sure about that either
  • but according to this theory…
  • maybe a drug that keeps the inflammation process from going way too far…
  • … might also help with the healing process and prevent further damage
  • (by making sure inflammation does not get carried away)
  • this might apply in the context of noise-induced hearing loss
  • Oridonin, anakinra are two drugs worth studying for this
  • but we aren’t sure… yet

Now, for those of you who prefer the nitty gritty details… diving deep into the science… and the technical side of things…

Here is some further reading about Oridonin – “a covalent NLRP3 inhibitor with strong anti-inflammasome activity” – from Nature:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04947-6

From that paper:

Oridonin (Ori) is the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Rabdosia rubescens and has anti-inflammatory activity, but the target of Ori remains unknown. NLRP3 is a central component of NLRP3 inflammasome and has been involved in a wide variety of chronic inflammation-driven human diseases.

Hmmm…

(I wonder if it has anything to do with osteoclasts…)

That’s all for now.

Estimated PIPE-505 Phase 2a Study Completion Date: June 12, 2021

April 2, 2021

Short but sweet update:

We now have an estimated completion date for the PIPE-505 phase 2a clinical trial: June 12, 2021.

Details below:

  • The PIPE-505 study record was updated on March 29, 2021.
  • The study completion date was changed from March 2021 [Anticipated] to June 2021 [Anticipated].
  • The June 12, 2021 date [Estimated] was calculated using information found within the study record and its history of changes, including: a) the submission date on which the Study Status was changed from “Recruiting” to “Active, not recruiting” and, b) the maximum follow-up Time Frame (“3 months after drug administration”) as detailed in the Outcome Measures section.
  • For a more conservative completion date, replace the last submitted update to Study Status date with the more recent last submitted update date of March 26, 2021. This gives us June 24, 2021.
  • Taken together, we are looking at a range of June 12 – June 24, with June 12th as the one to mark on your calendar.

PIPE-505 phase 2 completion date

Source: History of Changes for Study: NCT04462198 (Phase I/IIa Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of an Intratympanic Dose of PIPE-505 in Subjects With Hearing Loss)

That’s all for now.

We will probably have the next PIPE-505 update for you before June 15th (and/or whenever Pipeline Therapeutics makes an announcement).

For ongoing PIPE-505 updates and news of other upcoming hearing loss treatments, sign up for the free email newsletter. No spam, no promotional emails, privacy respected. Between 1-3 emails per week (but only when something interesting is happening).

BREAKING: CGF166 Clinical Trial Results Posted Online…

April 1, 2021

CGF166 update: Results from the phase 1/2 study of the hearing loss drug are now available.

Developing story…

CGF166 has results clinical trial update

Two days ago, on March 30, 2021, the official study record of CGF166 was updated on ClinicalTrials.gov.

This update was not accompanied by a press release from Novartis nor any media coverage.

However, this “surprise” update had two important words: has results.

An unexpected update

These results came out of nowhere…

For anyone learning about CGF166 for the first time, here is some quick background info on the “mysterious” Novartis gene therapy drug candidate for hearing loss:

A Case Study: Using Regenerative Medicine to Treat Hearing Loss

In 1999, scientists singled out a gene called atonal as a “master switch” for turning on the growth of inner ear hair cells, which pick up sound waves and translate them into electrical signals in the brain. Humans are born with hair cells, but the atonal switch flips off at birth. Any subsequent damage to hair cells is permanent.

In collaboration with a biotech company, GenVec Inc, NIBR researchers have developed an experimental gene therapy called CGF166 to restore hearing function by regenerating hair cells. It consists of a viral vector carrying the atonal gene. The vector has been altered with the aim of making it harmless and is injected directly into the inner ear. CGF166 is now being tested in a limited number of patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

SOURCE: an old brochure from the Novartis Institute for Biological Research (NIBR), circa 2016.

Sounds promising, right?

Absolutely.

But that material was written 5 years ago and… since then – aside from the early buzz and media coverage on this holy grail treatment – CGF166 updates have been incredibly rare.

In fact, before today… the last credible update we got on CGF166 was from over a year ago when, on February 21, 2020, BioCentury pointed out that Novartis had “yet to publicly report data from its Phase I/II trial of gene therapy CGF166.”

SOURCE: Regenerative medicine for hearing loss makes quiet progress, BioCentury, https://www.biocentury.com/article/304491, dated February 21, 2020.

Well, now it looks like they (quietly) have.

The results were uploaded to the study record of the phase I/II clinical trial. Here is the official description:

The goal of the study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and the potential ability of CGF166 delivered through IL-infusion to improve hearing. CGF166 is a recombinant adenovirus 5 (Ad5) vector containing a cDNA encoding the human Atonal transcription factor (Hath1).

This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of CGF166 and the associated delivery procedures in patients with severe-to-profound unilateral or bilateral hearing loss. Eligible patients were required to have documented, non-fluctuating hearing loss.

SOURCE: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02132130, last updated March 30, 2021.

CGF166 study results: Part 1

These results do not show all the data and numbers, but we expect to post a follow-up once we have some experts review them.

Here is the direct link to the study results that were uploaded on March 30, 2021: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02132130 – Study Results

It’s important to keep in mind that these results are NOT the same thing as an announcement or press release from the company. For that reason, there is no accompanying commentary or explanation of what these results mean.

CGF166 results sneak preview confusion emojiThis can be frustrating, but here at Hearing Loss Treatment Report we are currently working on a follow-up post that will provide a clear idea of what these numbers mean for people with hearing loss.

This is a developing story…

I wish we had more for you.

This is all we have, for now.

We will continue to monitor what is happening with CGF166 and post an update as soon as we know more. (The best way to get updates is by subscribing to our email newsletter – which we’ll be sending out very soon!)

cgf166 trial results meme

For now, we decided to share the link to these “raw” results because we believe in sharing early and sharing often. Information ASAP. Before the official press releases, before company Twitter announcements, before the media outlets, before before before.

And so, for that reason, we didn’t want to sit and wait on this long-awaited study result update just so we could organize it into a neatly-wrapped package with in-depth commentary.

That’s not our style.

“First”

The reason we believe in this post-first-question-later approach is because an increasingly large number of patients, organizations, and industry professionals use this site as a shortcut to the very latest hearing loss treatment updates.

Think of this site like a secret source of some of the fastest, earliest updates in the world of hearing loss drug development. And it’s meant to help inform people in situations like this: where this CGF166 phase I/II results story was missed, ignored, or simply too early (and thus unknown) to the mainstream media.

Which is also why you might want to subscribe to our email updates list… so you can get as-fast-as-we-can-find-them updates on experimental hearing restoration drugs and milestones… plus, sneak previews of what potential “cures” are really around the corner in 2021, 2022, and beyond…

But it’s not for everyone.


Questions? Comments? Corrections? Feedback:

Send an email to michael@urgentresearch.com and say hello.

  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 5
  • Go to Next Page »

Powered by Urgent Research

Copyright © 2025 Urgent Research