Transplantation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells into the cochlea

This study examined the potential of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for use as a source of transplants for the restoration of auditory spiral ganglion neurons. We monitored neurite outgrowth from iPS cell-derived neural progenitors toward cochlear hair cells ex vivo, and followed their survival and fates after transplantation into mouse cochleae in vivo. Neurons derived from iPS cells projected neurites toward cochlear hair cells. The settlement of iPS cell-derived neurons was observed 1 week after transplantation into the cochlea. Some transplants expressed vesicular glutamate transporter 1, which is a marker for glutamatergic neurons. These findings indicate that iPS cells can be used as a source of transplants for the regeneration of spiral ganglion neurons.