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World J Otorhinolaryngol. Nov 28, 2013; 3(4): 114-133
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.5319/wjo.v3.i4.114
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.5319/wjo.v3.i4.114
Nanoparticle based inner ear therapy
Ilmari Pyykkö, Jing Zou, Ya Zhang, Weikai Zhang, Hao Feng, Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Research Unit, University Hospital of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Ya Zhang, Department of Otolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Weikai Zhang, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Paavo Kinnunen, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science, Aalto University, 02150 Esbo, Finland
Author contributions: Pyykkö I, Zou J designed the research; Zhang Y, Zhang W, Feng H performed in vitro and in vivo experiments on selected nanoparticles; Kinnunen P designed and produced the lipoplexies; Zou J analyzed data; Pyykkö I wrote the paper.
Supported by EU Nanoear Integrated Project NMP4-CT-2006-026556; and EU NanoCI Collaborative Project FP7 281056
Correspondence to: Ilmari Pyykkö, Professor, Department of otolaryngology, Hearing and Balance Research Unit, University of Tampere, Teiskontie 35, M-building Room 318, 33520 Tampere, Finland. ilmari.pyykko@uta.fi
Telephone: +358-3-31166387 Fax: +358-3-31164366
Received: May 5, 2013
Revised: August 22, 2013
Accepted: October 17, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Revised: August 22, 2013
Accepted: October 17, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Several novel, multifunctional nanoparticles have been developed, which are targetable to selected tissue, biodegradable, traceable in vivo, and equipped with controlled payload release. They can be used to transport therapeutic agents, such as drugs, genes, small interfering RNAs and growth factors into the inner ear. To visualise the targetability and accuracy of the delivery, the nanoparticles can be traced with magnetic resonance imaging. It is hoped that this technology will come to be used as an alternative carrier to viral vectors traditionally used in gene delivery, but without the severe adverse effect.