Efficient transfer of embryonic stem cells into the cochlea via a non-invasive vestibular route.

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 cell transplants into the inner ear that does not affect its physiologic functions.

Transfer of FGF-2 via HSV-1-based amplicon vectors promotes efficient formation of neurons from embryonic stem cells.

The manipulation of embryonic stem (ES) cells has a great potential to create cell populations useful for tissue replacement and regeneration of organs. The acquirement of specific cell fates and differentiation into specialized cell types may be obtained by the application of specific growth factors. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) has been used for the formation of ES cell-derived CNS stem cells.