Induction of peripheral tolerance by oral administration of low-dose beta-tubulin antigen may be an effective, antigen-specific method to suppress experimental autoimmune hearing loss. Five groups of mice were fed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), ovalbumin (OVA), 20, 30 or 200 microg of beta-tubulin, respectively. All mice were then immunized by beta-tubulin. Hearing thresholds were measur...

Hearing and balance functions of the inner ear rely on the homeostasis of the endolymphatic fluid. When disturbed, pathologic endolymphatic hydrops evolves as observed in Menière's disease. The molecular basis of inner ear fluid regulation across the endolymphatic epithelium is largely unknown. In this study we identified the specific expression of the tight junction (TJ) molecules Claudin 3, 4...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for enhancement of inner ear structures of patients with sensorineural hearing loss and documented antibodies to the 68-kd inner ear antigen. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case review with reexamination of MRI scans. SETTING Outpatient office. PATIENTS Thirty-five patients with autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss defined by audio...

CONCLUSION Cell transplantation into the utriculus provides an efficient and non-invasive route to introduce embryonic stem (ES) cells into the vestibular and cochlear portions of the inner ear. OBJECTIVE The transfer of stem cells into the inner ear for therapeutic purposes is an important approach to cure damage to the cochlea and vestibulum. A key issue is to provide an entry point for cel...

From histopathological specimens, endolymphatic hydrops has been demonstrated in association with inner ear disorders. Recent studies have observed findings suggestive of hydrops using MRI in humans. Previous studies suggest that vasopressin may play a critical role in endolymph homeostasis and may be involved in the development of Ménière's disease. In this study we evaluate the effect of vaso...

BACKGROUND Menière's Disease (MD) is an episodic cochleovestibular dysfunction of unknown etiology, still lacking a specific test and therapy. The proposed theories on the pathophysiology include genetic factors and factors relating to inner ear homeostasis. Various aquaporins (AQP), water channels, expressed in the inner ear and the vestibular organ, are involved in homeostasis. Mutations in A...

Immune-mediated pathogenesis has been suggested for idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. Recent studies have investigated the relationship between idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss and autoantibodies against inner ear antigens. We conducted a prospective, observational study in a series of pediatric patients affected by idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. Autoantibodies against inner e...

OBJECTIVE Ménière's Disease (MD) is a chronic, non-life threatening inner ear disease, with attacks of disabling vertigo, progressive hearing loss, and tinnitus as the major symptoms. All three symptoms, separately or in combination, cause great distress and have a considerable impact on the quality of life of the patients. The aims of this study were to develop a disease-specific quality of li...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of the virulence characteristics of specific pneumococcal proteins on the inner ear. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A histologic comparison of inflammatory cell infiltration and pathologic changes in the round window membrane and inner ear. RESULTS Most of the animals inoculated with high-dose pneumolysin or wild-type bacteria showed severe pathologic changes of ...

Patients suffering from Ménière's disease are particularly sensitive to negative pressure in the middle ear. For example, attacks of vertigo can be triggered by a descent in an aircraft when ventilation of the middle ear can become critical. Positive-pressure pulse treatment has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the symptomatology and is now a true alternative in the treatment of Ménièr...