Journal article
Effects of localized neurotrophin gene expression on spiral ganglion neuron resprouting in the deafened cochlea
AK Wise, CR Hume, BO Flynn, YS Jeelall, CL Suhr, BE Sgro, SJ O'Leary, RK Shepherd, RT Richardson
Molecular Therapy | CELL PRESS | Published : 2010
DOI: 10.1038/mt.2010.28
Abstract
A cochlear implant may be used to electrically stimulate spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in people with severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, these neurons progressively degenerate after SNHL due to loss of neurotrophins normally supplied by sensory hair cells (HCs). Experimentally, exogenous neurotrophin administration prevents SGN degeneration but can also result in abnormal resprouting of their peripheral fibers. This study aimed to create a target-derived neurotrophin source to increase neuron survival and redirect fiber resprouting following SNHL. Adenoviral (Ad) vectors expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) alone or in combination with brain-derived neurotrophic factor..
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Awarded by National Institutes of Health
Funding Acknowledgements
We are grateful for funding support from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation, NIDCD HHS-N-263-2007-00053-c, NIDCD DC-006437, NIDCD P30 DC-04661, NICHHD P30 HD-02774, and the Hearing Regeneration Initiative and Veterans' Hospital Administration. We appreciate the suggestions of the reviewers that made significant improvements to the manuscript. This work was performed in East Melbourne, Australia. The Bionic Ear Institute acknowledges the support it receives from the Victorian Government through its Operational Infrastructure Support Program.