Kim Dong-Kee
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
J Audiol Otol. 2025 Jul;29(3):159-165. doi: 10.7874/jao.2025.00311. Epub 2025 Jul 18.
Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is challenging due to the inner ear's complex anatomy and physiological barriers, such as the blood-labyrinth barrier. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising solutions, offering targeted, sustained, and stimuli-responsive therapeutic options. This review discusses recent advancements in nanoparticle functionalization strategies for inner ear drug delivery. Active targeting approaches, such as the use of prestin-specific peptides, enable selective delivery to outer hair cells. Stimuli-responsive systems, including thermosensitive hydrogels and light-activated nanoparticles, facilitate controlled drug release in response to internal or external triggers. Surface modifications with polyethylene glycol, cell-penetrating peptides, and cationic charges enhance permeability across the round window membrane and improve cellular uptake. These functionalized nanoparticles have demonstrated improved cochlear targeting and therapeutic outcomes in preclinical models of SNHL. Continued development of these multifunctional, biocompatible systems holds considerable promise for clinical translation in the treatment of SNHL.
由于内耳复杂的解剖结构和生理屏障（如血迷路屏障），感音神经性听力损失（SNHL）的治疗具有挑战性。基于纳米颗粒的药物递送系统已成为有前景的解决方案，提供了靶向、持续和刺激响应性的治疗选择。本文综述了内耳药物递送纳米颗粒功能化策略的最新进展。主动靶向方法，如使用prestin特异性肽，能够选择性地递送至外毛细胞。刺激响应系统，包括热敏水凝胶和光激活纳米颗粒，可促进药物响应内部或外部触发因素而实现可控释放。用聚乙二醇、细胞穿透肽和阳离子电荷进行表面修饰可增强跨圆窗膜的通透性并改善细胞摄取。这些功能化纳米颗粒在SNHL临床前模型中已显示出改善的耳蜗靶向性和治疗效果。这些多功能、生物相容性系统的持续发展在SNHL治疗的临床转化方面具有巨大潜力。
