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Adhesive and Injectable Hydrogel Microspheres for Inner Ear Treatment.
Kaili Chen1,2, Fei Wang2, Rui Ding1
1Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|February 2, 2022
Summary
New mussel-inspired hydrogel microspheres (GM@PDA) loaded with Ebselen liposomes enhance drug retention in the middle ear, significantly restoring hearing and outer hair cell survival after noise exposure.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Middle ear drug delivery offers a minimally invasive route for inner ear treatments.
- Poor drug retention in the middle ear limits therapeutic efficacy.
- Developing effective drug carriers is crucial for treating hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer adhesive hydrogel microspheres for prolonged middle ear drug retention.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Ebselen liposome-loaded microspheres in treating noise-induced hearing loss.
- To investigate the impact of the novel delivery system on outer hair cell survival.
Main Methods:
- Construction of polydopamine-coated gelatin methacryloyl microspheres (GM@PDA) for enhanced adhesion.
- Loading of Ebselen liposomes into GM@PDA to create GM@PDA@Lipo-Ebselen.
- In vitro assessment of microsphere adhesion to the round window membrane (RWM).
- In vivo studies using animal models to evaluate drug retention and hearing recovery.
Main Results:
- GM@PDA@Lipo-Ebselen demonstrated strong adhesion to the RWM, persisting through mechanical stress.
- In vivo imaging confirmed sustained drug retention in the middle ear for over 7 days.
- Significant hearing recovery was observed in mice treated with GM@PDA@Lipo-Ebselen, reaching baseline levels by day 14.
- Outer hair cell survival rate improved from 48% to 93% at 32 kHz frequency.
Conclusions:
- Adhesive hydrogel microspheres provide a promising strategy for overcoming drug retention challenges in middle ear drug delivery.
- The GM@PDA@Lipo-Ebselen system effectively treats noise-induced hearing loss and protects auditory hair cells.
- This injectable, adhesive delivery system represents a significant advancement in therapeutic approaches for hearing restoration.
