Standardized Methodologies to Utilize Exosome Treatment as Potential Nano Substances in Hearing Loss

Abstract

Recently, studies on the mechanism and clinical application of stem cell-derived exosomes have increased. Although the number of patients with hearing loss is increasing, there is no ideal therapy for the recovery of auditory cells of an independent organ in humans. In this review, we proposed the use of stem cell-derived exosomes for treating hearing loss and summarized the exosome research strategy platform for preclinical studies. It is necessary to select a research direction to assess direct or indirect effects on recipients based on the physiological mechanisms of exosomes that deliver useful molecules (called payloads) to recipient cells or tissues. To apply exosomes in the auditory field, researchers should select a model for assessing the toxicity to the auditory cells and analyzing their mechanisms in the recipient tissue. Such in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models have been designed and reported in previous studies. The analytical strategies in various models can evaluate the mechanism of exosomes based on exosome surface markers or the payload, thus helping the researchers in finding evidence regarding the efficacy of exosomes. Here, we propose three strategies for exosome application research in the auditory field.