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DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1640345
DNA-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticles coated on a cochlear implant electrode
Introduction:
So far, studies on a nanoparticle-mediated genetically active coating of a cochlear implant electrode are not existent. Such a coating of the electrode, which could be provided with a neurotrophin-encoding DNA, would provide a stable and controlled release over time of growth-promoting factors for the spiral ganglion cells. Because calcium phosphate nanoparticles constitute a DNA carrier system and also form a non-viral transfection system of surfaces, they can potentially be used as a biologically active coating of a cochlear implant electrode.
Methods:
The physical, chemical and biological properties such as transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of the calcium phosphate nanoparticles were investigated. The aim was to evaluate the functionalized nanoparticles in a spiral ganglion cell culture. These were freshly taken from neonatal rat cochlea and prepared for a dissociated cell culture and an organotypic explant culture and then cocultivated with differently functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticles.
Results:
The nanoparticles were mainly uptaken in the non-neuronal cells and less in the spiral ganglion cells themselves. Cytotoxic effects by the nanoparticles could not be observed for a culture period of up to one week.
Conclusion:
Calcium phosphate nanoparticles could be an interesting non-viral vector system for the transfection of genetic material into the inner ear. In particular, the possible coating of a cochlear implant electrode could thereby generate a long-term release of neurotrophic factors in the inner ear.
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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).
Publication History
Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)
© 2018. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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