Stem Cells for the Replacement of Auditory Neurons

Abstract

For inner ear neural replacement, stem cell therapy ultimately requires the meaningful reconnection of stem cell-derived auditory neurons to their peripheral and central targets, in order to faithfully reproduce a functional, tonotopic circuit. Learning how a stem cell is programmed for neural differentiation, how a neuron sends out a process to find a target, how it comes to recognize the appropriate site for synaptogenesis on a target cell, and how to express the molecular machinery needed for conducting an action potential and integrating with the functional circuit are all needed for rebuilding a damaged circuit. In instances where the peripheral targets (the sensory hair cells) have und..