A hydrogel coating for cochlear implant arrays with encapsulated adipose-derived stem cells allows brain-derived neurotrophic factor delivery. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schendzielorz, Philipp; Scherzed, Agmal; Rak, Kristen; Völker, Johannes; Hagen, Rudolf; Mlynski, Robert; Frölich, Katrin; Radeloff, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 134:Number 5(2014)
• Page Start: 497
• Page End: 505
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: ASC -- laminin -- neurotrophin -- collagen -- fibrin -- CI; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2013.878809
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Conclusion: Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), encapsulated in a fibrin-collagen hydrogel for the coating of an electrode array, produce sufficient amounts of neurotrophic factors and may be suitable for enhancing the bioelectric interface of cochlear implants (CIs). Objectives: To evaluate different hydrogel compositions loaded with ASCs with regard to delivery of neuroactive substances and mechanical suitability for the coating of a CI electrode array. Methods: ASCs were cultivated in hydrogels consisting of collagen and fibrin in varying fractions (0:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:0). The cell proliferation and viability, as well as the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and laminin were determined. Two hydrogel compositions were used as a coating for CI electrode arrays and tested in a scala tympani model. Results: Cell proliferation was best in collagen/fibrin hydrogel compositions (1:1 and 1:2) and increasing amounts of BDNF (up to 2.59 ng/ml) and laminin (up to 320 ng/ml) were detected. GDNF production was inconsistent and markedly lower. A sufficient coating of a CI electrode carrier in terms of stability and flexibility was achieved only with mixed compositions, although hydrogels formed bulky and uneven layers on the silicone surfaces.