Hearing loss is a prevalent and often underestimated global health issue affecting people of all ages. According to the World Health Organization’s “World Report on Hearing,” as of 2021, about one-fifth of the global population suffers from hearing impairment, a figure projected to rise to one-quarter by 2050.

Risk factors for hearing loss include ear infections, prolonged exposure to high-frequency noise, and unhealthy lifestyle habits, which can cause irreversible damage. In daily life, sounds enter the cochlea as vibrations, where they are transformed into auditory signals by hair cells and then transmitted by nerves. Damage to these cochlear hair cells and nerves can lead to permanent hearing impairment.

The cochlea contains a structure similar to the blood-brain barrier, known as the blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB), which prevents many large molecular drugs from treating the hair cells and cochlear nerves. However, advancements in nanotechnology within biomedical research have identified a type of nanoparticle—exosomes—that can potentially cross this barrier to treat hair cells and nerves.

The focus of this recent study is on exosomes wrapped with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which are used to aid in the repair of cochlear hair cells and nerves:

Researchers first isolated exosomes and encapsulated them with BDNF (referred to as BDNF-sEV). They then conducted animal experiments where mice were given BDNF-sEV through intravenous injections. The mice were subsequently exposed to a noisy environment to induce hearing loss, followed by another injection of BDNF-sEV.

After 14 days, the condition of the cochlear hair cells and nerves in the mice was assessed. The results showed that the mice’s hair cells and nerves were severely damaged after noise exposure. However, post-treatment with BDNF-sEV, the cochlear hair cells and nerves showed significant repair.

This study demonstrates the potential of exosomes in preventing and repairing hearing damage. Recent research also indicates that exosomes have performed well in nerve repair, suggesting that they could provide new hope for future clinical applications.

Under noise exposure, the condition of exosomes in preventing and repairing damaged hair cells. (Edit by AM Biotech study team)

Under noise exposure, the condition of exosomes in preventing and repairing damage to cochlear nerves. (Edit by AM Biotech study team)

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