New stem cell research could provide long-term cure for deafness

25 May 2010

Leading charity Deafness Research UK is excited about new research published by Stanford University in the USA that complements stem cell research it funds in the UK.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully created hair-cell like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells that display many of the properties of delicate inner hair cells.

Our inner hair cells play a central role in hearing and balance as thousands of these cells convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses which are decoded by our brains. Ageing, loud noises and toxic drugs can kill these cells resulting in deafness and until now, there was no way of replacing them.

In ground-breaking research, Stefan Heller and his colleagues at Stanford, developed conditions to grow mouse stem cells (blank cells that can turn into other cell types) in a dish and showed using an electron microscope that these hair-like cells even look like they were taken out of the ear. Further tests show that these cells responded to vibrations in a similar way to hair cells in the inner ear. This research offers hope that one day it will be understood how the hair cells form in the ear and lead to the development of drugs that allow the ear to grow more hair cells of its own accord.

Researchers are applying similar techniques to human cells in the hope of being able to transplant these delicate hair cells into ears to restore hearing. Deafness Research UK continues to be at the forefront of hearing research by funding human stem cell research at the University of Sheffield. Dr Marcelo Rivolta is leading a team focussing on turning human stem cells into hair-like cells that may be able to restore lost hearing in the future.

Dr Rivolta comments that the new research from the Stanford group “is an important step forward in the quest for ways of making hair cells in a test tube. By exposing differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells to tissue from chicken ears, the authors have achieved a robust differentiation of the apical hair bundle. These hair cells generated in vitro will be excellent models for molecular studies and will allow us to learn what controls the making of a hair cell. In our lab in Sheffield, one of Deafness Research UK Auditory Centres of Excellence, we are also exploring ways to produce working hair cells but from human cells in order to develop a potential treatment for deafness.”

Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people. The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus. Deafness Research UK’s Information Service provides a wealth of free information and guidance on deafness, tinnitus and related conditions, and can be contacted at

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Deafness Research UK

• Deafness Research UK is the country’s only charity dedicated to finding new cures, treatments and technologies for deaf, hard of hearing and other hearing impaired people.
• The charity supports high quality medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of hearing impairment including tinnitus.
• Deafness Research UK is entirely dependent on voluntary donations, gifts and personal legacies. You can donate online at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk , or call 0207 7833 1733 for further information on how to support the charity.
• The Deafness Research UK Information Service provides free information and advice based on the latest scientific evidence and informed by leading experts. The Information Service can be contacted on Freephone 0808 808 2222.
• For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at
• One in seven people in the UK – almost nine million people - suffer hearing loss.
• Deafness Research UK was founded in 1985 by Lord (Jack) and Lady Ashley of Stoke.
• In January 2008, Action for Tinnitus Research (ATR) was linked with Deafness Research UK under a uniting direction order under section 96(6) of the Charities Act 1993.
  

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Ref: DR-UK0258 – Stem cell research May 2010