| Transplantation of Stem Cells to Modulate Spiral Ganglion Neuronal Density |
Min Young Lee1,2,3
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1Beckman Laser Institute Korea, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
2Medical Laser Research Center, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
3Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea |
| 줄기세포 이식을 통한 나선신경절 신경세포 밀도 조절 |
| 이민영1,2,3
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1단국대학교 Beckman Laser Institute Korea
2단국대학교 의과대학 의료레이저연구센터
3단국대학교 의과대학 이비인후과학교실 |
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Received: 13 August 2026; Revised: August 23, 2026 Accepted: 27 August 2026. Published online: 16 October 2026. |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) constitute the principal neural substrate for cochlear implantmediated auditory stimulation, and progressive SGN degeneration may limit the functional benefit of cochlear implantation. Stem-cell transplantation has therefore emerged as a potential strategy to preserve, replace, or increase the neuronal population within the spiral ganglion. Early studies demonstrated the survival and trophic effects of neural stem cells, followed by evidence of migration toward Rosenthal’s canal and modulation of SGN populations. Human mesenchymal stem cells and human embryonic stem-cell-derived otic progenitors subsequently provided the evidence of increased neuronal populations and functional auditory improvement. More recently, it has been shown that human dermal fibroblast-derived induced neural stem cells enhance cochlear neural structures, central auditory connectivity, and electrically evoke auditory responses. Collectively, these studies suggest that stem-cell therapy may improve the neural substrate for cochlear implantation not only through neuronal replacement but also through trophic preservation, targeted migration, and functional neural integration. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2026;69(10):463-71 |
| Keywords:
Auditory neuropathyㆍ Cochlear implantㆍ Neural regenerationㆍ Spiral ganglion neuronㆍ Stem cell transplantation |
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