Comparing perilymph proteomes across species

Deciphering platinum dissolution in neural stimulation electrodes: Electrochemistry or biology?

Platinum (Pt) is the metal of choice for electrodes in implantable neural prostheses like the cochlear implants, deep brain stimulating devices, and brain-computer interfacing technologies. However, it is well known since the 1970s that Pt dissolution occurs with electrical stimulation. More recent clinical and in vivo studies have shown signs of corrosion in explanted electrode arrays and the presence of Pt-containing particulates in tissue samples. The process of degradation and release of metallic ions and particles can significantly impact on device performance. Moreover, the effects of Pt dissolution products on tissue health and function are still largely unknown. This is due to the highly complex chemistry underlying the dissolution process and the difficulty in decoupling electrical and chemical effects on biological responses. Understanding the mechanisms and effects of Pt dissolution proves challenging as the dissolution process can be influenced by electrical, chemical, physical, and biological factors, all of them highly variable between experimental settings. By evaluating comprehensive findings on Pt dissolution mechanisms reported in the fuel cell field, this review presents a critical analysis of the possible mechanisms that drive Pt dissolution in neural stimulation in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation parameters, such as aggregate charge, charge density, and electrochemical potential can all impact the levels of dissolved Pt. However, chemical factors such as electrolyte types, dissolved gases, and pH can all influence dissolution, confounding the findings of in vitro studies with multiple variables. Biological factors, such as proteins, have been documented to exhibit a mitigating effect on the dissolution process. Other biological factors like cells and fibro-proliferative responses, such as fibrosis and gliosis, impact on electrode properties and are suspected to impact on Pt dissolution. However, the relationship between electrical properties of stimulating electrodes and Pt dissolution remains contentious. Host responses to Pt degradation products are also controversial due to the unknown chemistry of Pt compounds formed and the lack of understanding of Pt distribution in clinical scenarios. The cytotoxicity of Pt produced via electrical stimulation appears similar to Pt-based compounds, including hexachloroplatinates and chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin. While the levels of Pt produced under clinical and acute stimulation regimes were typically an order of magnitude lower than toxic concentrations observed in vitro, further research is needed to accurately assess the mass balance and type of Pt produced during long-term stimulation and its impact on tissue response. Finally, approaches to mitigating the dissolution process are reviewed. A wide variety of approaches, including stimulation strategies, coating electrode materials, and surface modification techniques to avoid excess charge during stimulation and minimise tissue response, may ultimately support long-term and safe operation of neural stimulating devices.

Developing the supraparticle technology for round window-mediated drug administration into the cochlea

The semi-permeable round window membrane (RWM) is the gateway to the cochlea. Although the RWM is considered a minimally invasive and clinically accepted route for localised drug delivery to the cochlea, overcoming this barrier is challenging, hindering development of effective therapies for hearing loss. Neurotrophin 3 (NT3) is an emerging treatment option for hearing loss, but its therapeutic effect relies on sustained delivery across the RWM into the cochlea. Silica supraparticles (SPs) are drug delivery carriers capable of providing long-term NT3 delivery, when injected directly into the guinea pig cochlea. However, for clinical translation, a RWM delivery approach is desirable. Here, we aimed to test approaches to improve the longevity and biodistribution of NT3 inside the cochlea after RWM implantation of SPs in guinea pigs and cats. Three approaches were tested (i) coating the SPs to slow drug release (ii) improving the retention of SPs on the RWM using a clinically approved gel formulation and (iii) permeabilising the RWM with hyaluronic acid. A radioactive tracer (iodine 125: 125I) tagged to NT3 (125I NT3) was loaded into the SPs to characterise drug pharmacokinetics in vitro and in vivo. The neurotrophin-loaded SPs were coated using a chitosan and alginate layer-by-layer coating strategy, named as '(Chi/Alg)SPs', to promote long term drug release. The guinea pigs were implanted with 5× 125I NT3 loaded (Chi/Alg) SPs on the RWM, while cats were implanted with 30× (Chi/Alg) SPs. A cohort of animals were also implanted with SPs (controls). We found that the NT3 loaded (Chi/Alg)SPs exhibited a more linear release profile compared to NT3 loaded SPs alone. The 125I NT3 loaded (Chi/Alg)SPs in fibrin sealant had efficient drug loading (~5 μg of NT3 loaded per SP that weights ~50 μg) and elution capacities (~49% over one month) in vitro. Compared to the SPs in fibrin sealant, the (Chi/Alg)SPs in fibrin sealant had a significantly slower 125I NT3 drug release profile over the first 7 days in vitro (~12% for (Chi/Alg) SPs in fibrin sealant vs ~43% for SPs in fibrin sealant). One-month post-implantation of (Chi/Alg) SPs, gamma count measurements revealed an average of 0.3 μg NT3 remained in the guinea pig cochlea, while for the cat, 1.3 μg remained. Histological analysis of cochlear tissue revealed presence of a 125I NT3 signal localised in the basilar membrane of the lower basal turn in some cochleae after 4 weeks in guinea pigs and 8 weeks in cats. Comparatively, and in contrast to the in vitro release data, implantation of the SPs presented better NT3 retention and distribution inside the cochlea in both the guinea pigs and cats. No significant difference in drug entry was observed upon acute treatment of the RWM with hyaluronic acid. Collectively, our findings indicate that SPs and (Chi/Alg)SPs can facilitate drug transfer across the RWM, with detectable levels inside the cat cochlea even after 8 weeks with the intracochlear approach. This is the first study to examine neurotrophin pharmacokinetics in the cochlea for such an extended period of times in these two animal species. Whilst promising, we note that outcomes between animals were variable, and opposing results were found between in vitro and in vivo release studies. These findings have important clinical ramifications, emphasising the need to understand the physical properties and mechanics of this complex barrier in parallel with the development of therapies for hearing loss.

Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss In Vivo: Continuous Application of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 and Its Effect on Inner Ear Synapses, Auditory Function and Perilymph Proteins

As noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a leading cause of occupational diseases, there is an urgent need for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. To avoid user-compliance-based problems occurring with conventional protection devices, the pharmacological prevention is currently in the focus of hearing research. Noise exposure leads to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cochlea. This way antioxidant agents are a promising option for pharmacological interventions. Previous animal studies reported preventive as well as therapeutic effects of Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the context of NIHL. Unfortunately, in patients the time point of the noise trauma cannot always be predicted, and additive effects may occur. Therefore, continuous prevention seems to be beneficial. The present study aimed to investigate the preventive potential of continuous administration of low concentrations of IGF-1 to the inner ear in an animal model of NIHL. Guinea pigs were unilaterally implanted with an osmotic minipump. One week after surgery they received noise trauma, inducing a temporary threshold shift. Continuous IGF-1 delivery lasted for seven more days. It did not lead to significantly improved hearing thresholds compared to control animals. Quite the contrary, there is a hint for a higher noise susceptibility. Nevertheless, changes in the perilymph proteome indicate a reduced damage and better repair mechanisms through the IGF-1 treatment. Thus, future studies should investigate delivery methods enabling continuous prevention but reducing the risk of an overdosage.

Isolation of sensory hair cell specific exosomes in human perilymph

Evaluation of hearing loss patients using clinical audiometry has been unable to give a definitive cellular or molecular diagnosis, hampering the development of treatments of sensorineural hearing loss. However, biopsy of inner ear tissue without losing residual hearing function for pathologic diagnosis is extremely challenging. In a clinical setting, perilymph can be accessed, potentially allowing the development of fluid based diagnostic tests. Recent approaches to improving inner ear diagnostics have been focusing on the evaluation of the proteomic or miRNA profiles of perilymph. Inspired by recent characterization and classification of many neurodegenerative diseases using exosomes which not only are produced in locally in diseased tissue but are transported beyond the blood brain barrier, we demonstrate the isolation of human inner ear specific exosomes using a novel ultrasensitive immunomagnetic nano pom-poms capture-release approach. Using perilymph samples harvested from surgical procedures, we were able to isolate exosomes from sensorineural hearing loss patients in only 2-5 μL of perilymph. By isolating sensory hair cell derived exosomes through their expression level of myosin VIIa, we for the first-time sample material from hair cells in the living human inner ear. This work sets up the first demonstration of immunomagnetic capture-release nano pom-pom isolated exosomes for liquid biopsy diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss. With the ability to isolate exosomes derived from different cell types for molecular characterization, this method also can be developed for analyzing exosomal biomarkers from more accessible patient tissue fluids such as plasma.

In-depth proteome of perilymph in guinea pig model

The vast majority of sensorineural hearing loss is caused by impairment of the inner ear cells. Proteomic analysis of perilymph may therefore improve our understanding of inner ear diseases and hearing loss. However, the investigation of the human perilymph proteome was limited due to technical difficulties in perilymph sampling. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is frequently used as an experimental model in preclinical hearing research. In this study, we analyzed samples of perilymph collected from 12 guinea pigs to overcome limited experimental information regarding its proteome. We identified a total of 1413 proteins, establishing a greatly expanded proteome of the previously inferred guinea pig perilymph. This provides a comprehensive proteomic resource for the research community, which will facilitate future molecular-phenotypic studies using the guinea pig as an experimental model of relevance to human inner ear biology.

Novel 3D-printed hollow microneedles facilitate safe, reliable, and informative sampling of perilymph from guinea pigs

BACKGROUND

Inner ear diagnostics is limited by the inability to atraumatically obtain samples of inner ear fluid. The round window membrane (RWM) is an attractive portal for accessing perilymph samples as it has been shown to heal within one week after the introduction of microperforations. A 1 µL volume of perilymph is adequate for proteome analysis, yet the total volume of perilymph within the scala tympani of the guinea pig is limited to less than 5 µL. This study investigates the safety and reliability of a novel hollow microneedle device to aspirate perilymph samples adequate for proteomic analysis.

METHODS

The guinea pig RWM was accessed via a postauricular surgical approach. 3D-printed hollow microneedles with an outer diameter of 100 µm and an inner diameter of 35 µm were used to perforate the RWM and aspirate 1 µL of perilymph. Two perilymph samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics as part of a preliminary study. Hearing was assessed before and after aspiration using compound action potential (CAP) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). RWMs were harvested 72 h after aspiration and evaluated for healing using confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

There was no permanent damage to hearing at 72 h after perforation as assessed by CAP (n = 7) and DPOAE (n = 8), and all perforations healed completely within 72 h (n = 8). In the two samples of perilymph analyzed, 620 proteins were detected, including the inner ear protein cochlin, widely recognized as a perilymph marker.

CONCLUSION

Hollow microneedles can facilitate aspiration of perilymph across the RWM at a quality and volume adequate for proteomic analysis without causing permanent anatomic or physiologic dysfunction. Microneedles can mediate safe and effective intracochlear sampling and show great promise for inner ear diagnostics.

An LCMS-based untargeted metabolomics protocol for cochlear perilymph: highlighting metabolic effects of hydrogen gas on the inner ear of noise exposed Guinea pigs

INTRODUCTION

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an increasing problem in society and accounts for a third of all cases of acquired hearing loss. NIHL is caused by formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cochlea causing oxidative stress. Hydrogen gas (H₂) can alleviate the damage caused by oxidative stress and can be easily administered through inhalation.

OBJECTIVES

To present a protocol for untargeted metabolomics of guinea pig perilymph and investigate the effect of H₂ administration on the perilymph metabolome of noise exposed guinea pigs.

METHODS

The left ear of guinea pigs were exposed to hazardous impulse noise only (Noise, n = 10), noise and H₂ (Noise + H2, n = 10), only H₂ (H2, n = 4), or untreated (Control, n = 2). Scala tympani perilymph was sampled from the cochlea of both ears. The polar component of the perilymph metabolome was analyzed using a HILIC-UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based untargeted metabolomics protocol. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) was performed separately for the exposed- and unexposed ear.

RESULTS

MVDA allowed separation of groups Noise and Noise + H2 in both the exposed and unexposed ear and yielded 15 metabolites with differentiating relative abundances. Seven were found in both exposed and unexposed ear data and included two osmoprotectants. Eight metabolites were unique to the unexposed ear and included a number of short-chain acylcarnitines.

CONCLUSIONS

A HILIC-UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based protocol for untargeted metabolomics of perilymph is presented and shown to be fit-for-purpose. We found a clear difference in the perilymph metabolome of noise exposed guinea pigs with and without H₂ treatment.