The current project was funded by the University of Kansas Proof of Concept Fund. We would like to thank the nursing staff at KUMC (Kansas City, KS) for assisting us in obtaining human umbilical cords, and David Jorgensen for assisting with cochleae cultures.

All procedures, including animal euthanasia, were conducted according to the approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol (ACUP #2014-2234) at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).
NOTE: HWJCs were isolated from human umbilical cords that were donated by patients that provided informed consent and specimens were used in accordance with the protocols approved by the University of Kansas Human Subjects Committee (KU-IRB #15402).
1. Tem...

<ol>
	<li>Raphael, Y., Altschuler, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+and+innervation+of+the+cochlea.">Structure and innervation of the cochlea.</a> Brain Res Bull. 60 (5-6), 397-422 (2003).</li><li>LeMasurier, M., Gillespie, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hair-Cell+Mechanotransduction+and+Cochlear+Amplification.">Hair-Cell Mechanotransduction and Cochlear Amplification.</a> Neuron. 48 (3), 403-415 (2005).</li><li>Neal, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hair+cell+counts+in+a+rat+model+of+sound+damage:+Effects+of+tissue+preparation+&amp;+identification+of+regions+of+hair+cell+loss.">Hair cell counts in a rat model of sound damage: Effects of tissue preparation &amp; identification of regions of hair cell loss.</a> Hear Res. 328, 120-132 (2015).</li><li>Ivory, R., Kane, R., Diaz, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Noise-induced+hearing+loss:+a+recreational+noise+perspective.">Noise-induced hearing loss: a recreational noise perspective.</a> Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 22 (5), 394-398 (2014).</li><li>Stucken, E. Z., Hong, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Noise-induced+hearing+loss:+an+occupational+medicine+perspective.">Noise-induced hearing loss: an occupational medicine perspective.</a> Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 22 (5), 388-393 (2014).</li><li>Dille, M. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tinnitus+onset+rates+from+chemotherapeutic+agents+and+ototoxic+antibiotics:+results+of+a+large+prospective+study.">Tinnitus onset rates from chemotherapeutic agents and ototoxic antibiotics: results of a large prospective study.</a> J Am Acad Audiol. 21 (6), 409-417 (2010).</li><li>Sajjadi, H., Paparella, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Meniere's+disease.">Meniere's disease.</a> Lancet. 372 (9636), 406-414 (2008).</li><li>House, J. W., Brackmann, D. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tinnitus:+surgical+treatment.">Tinnitus: surgical treatment.</a> Ciba Found Symp. 85, 204-216 (1981).</li><li>Kujawa, S. G., Liberman, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acceleration+of+age-related+hearing+loss+by+early+noise+exposure:+evidence+of+a+misspent+youth.">Acceleration of age-related hearing loss by early noise exposure: evidence of a misspent youth.</a> J Neurosci. 26 (7), 2115-2123 (2006).</li><li>Ryals, B. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Avian+species+differences+in+susceptibility+to+noise+exposure.">Avian species differences in susceptibility to noise exposure.</a> Hear Res. 131 (1-2), 71-88 (1999).</li><li>Koehler, K. R., Mikosz, A. M., Molosh, A. I., Patel, D., Hashino, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+inner+ear+sensory+epithelia+from+pluripotent+stem+cells+in+3D+culture.">Generation of inner ear sensory epithelia from pluripotent stem cells in 3D culture.</a> Nature. 500 (7461), 217-221 (2013).</li><li>Sekiya, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+transplantation+to+the+auditory+nerve+and+cochlear+duct.">Cell transplantation to the auditory nerve and cochlear duct.</a> Exp Neurol. 198 (1), 12-24 (2006).</li><li>Shi, F., Edge, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prospects+for+replacement+of+auditory+neurons+by+stem+cells.">Prospects for replacement of auditory neurons by stem cells.</a> Hear Res. 297, 106-112 (2013).</li><li>Mellott, A. J., Shinogle, H. E., Nelson-Brantley, J. G., Detamore, M. S., Staecker, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exploiting+decellularized+cochleae+as+scaffolds+for+inner+ear+tissue+engineering.">Exploiting decellularized cochleae as scaffolds for inner ear tissue engineering.</a> Stem Cell Res Ther. 8, (2017).</li><li>Santi, P. A., Johnson, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decellularized+ear+tissues+as+scaffolds+for+stem+cell+differentiation.">Decellularized ear tissues as scaffolds for stem cell differentiation.</a> J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 14 (1), 3-15 (2013).</li><li>Davies, D., Holley, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression+of+alpha+3+and+alpha+6+integrins+in+the+developing+mouse+inner+ear.">Differential expression of alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrins in the developing mouse inner ear.</a> J Comp Neurol. 445 (2), 122-132 (2002).</li><li>Gerchman, E., Hilfer, S. R., Brown, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Involvement+of+extracellular+matrix+in+the+formation+of+the+inner+ear.">Involvement of extracellular matrix in the formation of the inner ear.</a> Dev Dyn. 202 (4), 421-432 (1995).</li><li>Goodyear, R. J., Richardson, G. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extracellular+matrices+associated+with+the+apical+surfaces+of+sensory+epithelia+in+the+inner+ear:+molecular+and+structural+diversity.">Extracellular matrices associated with the apical surfaces of sensory epithelia in the inner ear: molecular and structural diversity.</a> J Neurobiol. 53 (2), 212-227 (2002).</li><li>Mellott, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improving+Viability+and+Transfection+Efficiency+with+Human+Umbilical+Cord+Wharton's+Jelly+Cells+Through+Use+of+a+ROCK+Inhibitor.">Improving Viability and Transfection Efficiency with Human Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly Cells Through Use of a ROCK Inhibitor.</a> Cell Reprogram. , (2014).</li><li>Mellott, A. J., Shinogle, H. E., Moore, D. S., Detamore, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fluorescent+Photo-conversion:+A+second+chance+to+label+unique+cells.">Fluorescent Photo-conversion: A second chance to label unique cells.</a> Cell Mol Bioeng. 8 (1), 187-196 (2015).</li><li>Mitchell, K. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matrix+cells+from+Wharton's+jelly+form+neurons+and+glia.">Matrix cells from Wharton's jelly form neurons and glia.</a> Stem Cells. 21 (1), 50-60 (2003).</li><li>Mellott, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonviral+Reprogramming+of+Human+Wharton's+Jelly+Cells+Reveals+Differences+Between+ATOH1+Homologues.">Nonviral Reprogramming of Human Wharton's Jelly Cells Reveals Differences Between ATOH1 Homologues.</a> Tissue Eng Part A. 21 (11-12), 1795-1809 (2015).</li><li>Buytaert, J. A., Johnson, S. B., Dierick, M., Salih, W. H., Santi, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MicroCT+versus+sTSLIM+3D+imaging+of+the+mouse+cochlea.">MicroCT versus sTSLIM 3D imaging of the mouse cochlea.</a> J Histochem Cytochem. 61 (5), 382-395 (2013).</li><li>Nonoyama, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Investigation+of+the+ototoxicity+of+gadoteridol+(ProHance)+and+gadodiamide+(Omniscan)+in+mice.">Investigation of the ototoxicity of gadoteridol (ProHance) and gadodiamide (Omniscan) in mice.</a> Acta Otolaryngol. 136 (11), 1091-1096 (2016).</li><li>Dai, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rhesus+Cochlear+and+Vestibular+Functions+Are+Preserved+After+Inner+Ear+Injection+of+Saline+Volume+Sufficient+for+Gene+Therapy+Delivery.">Rhesus Cochlear and Vestibular Functions Are Preserved After Inner Ear Injection of Saline Volume Sufficient for Gene Therapy Delivery.</a> J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. , (2017).</li><li>Sutherland, A. J., Converse, G. L., Hopkins, R. A., Detamore, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+bioactivity+of+cartilage+extracellular+matrix+in+articular+cartilage+regeneration.">The bioactivity of cartilage extracellular matrix in articular cartilage regeneration.</a> Adv Healthc Mater. 4 (1), 29-39 (2015).</li></ol>

We have successfully demonstrated that native cochlear cells can be removed from the cochlea via a decellularization process, which allows for the use of the cochlea as an intricate, three-dimensional tissue scaffold. Santi et al.15 developed the initial method for decellularizing cochleae, and have accurately estimated the volumes of many cochlear structures through with the aid of light sheet microscopy23. Such early work served as a strong basis for the tissue e...

The cochlea is an intricate spiral structure found in the temporal bone. It is composed of an outer bony labyrinth and a concentric, inner membranous labyrinth1. The membranous labyrinth consists of three fluid spaces: Scala vestibuli, Scala media, and Scala tympani1. The scala media houses the sensory epithelium, which is composed of a multitude of cell types, but the sensory hair cells (HC), which transduce mechanical energy in sound waves to nerve impulses2, are of particular interest. Exposure to acoustic trauma3,4,5, medication6, disease7,8, and aging9 can all result in impaired auditory function via HC death. Hair cell loss in mammals is permanent, unlike avian HCs, which can regenerate after injury10.
A variety of contemporary research efforts have sought to restore lost HCs, although the specific experimental approaches vary. Manipulation of gene expression in the sensory epithelium and implantation of stem cells differentiated outside the body are dominant approaches in the field, although induction methods that seek to differentiate stem cells into cochlear organoids have been attempted11,12,13. Each of these approaches is either reliant directly on stem cells, or the developmental cues used by stem cells; however, a second shared, and potentially critical, element is the ECM of the cochlea itself14,15.
The ECM not only provides physical support for cells and tissue, which includes a surface for cell adhesion, proliferation, survival, and migration, but also plays critical roles in the development of HCs and the spiral ganglion15,16,17. Naturally occurring ECM provides inductive signals that may guide cell phenotype determination and/or cell adhesion, proliferation, and survival18. Consequently, the use of decellularized cochlea in combination with cultured hWJCs offer a unique opportunity to explore the role of the ECM and HC regeneration. HWJCs are a readily available, non-controversial cell type isolated from human umbilical cords that behave like mesenchymal stem cells19. HWJCs have shown the ability to differentiate down neurosensory cell lineages20,21. Thus, the current protocol details the isolation, decellularization, and perfusion of cochleae from C57BL mouse carcasses with hWJCs for inner ear tissue engineering.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Allegra X-14R Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman-Coulter</td>
			<td>B08861</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Intramedic Semi-Rigid Tubing</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>427401</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>New Brunswick Innova 2000 Orbital Shaler</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>M1190-0002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14060-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11370-40</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultra-Fine Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>18155-13</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50-mL Conical Tubes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12565271</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri Dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB087579B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>U-100 Insulin Syringe</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-829-1B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scintillation Vial</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>03-341-73</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotator</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>88-861-049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transfer Pipette</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-170-404</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Razor Blade</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-640</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15-240-062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15-140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-Well Plate</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>07-200-84</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SuperFrost PLUS Glass Microscope Slides</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-550-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transfer Pipette</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-170-404</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ProLong Gold Antifade Mountant with DAPI</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>P36935</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clear-Rite 3</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22-046341</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermo Scientific Forma Series II 3110 Water-Jacekted CO2 Incubator</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-998-078</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth Medium</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>PT-3001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-3232</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TPP T-75 Culture Flask</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>TP90076</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TPP T-150 Culture Flask</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>TP90151</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TPP T-300 Culture Flask</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>TP90301</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon Instruments</td>
			<td>SMZ800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nikon Eclipse Ts2R-FL Inverted Microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon Instruments</td>
			<td>MFA51010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NuAire Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet</td>
			<td>NuAire</td>
			<td>NU-425-600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1X PBS</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P5368-10PAK</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1% SDS Solution</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>436143-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10% EDTA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>E9884-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a protocol for decellularizing mouse cochleae for inner ear tissue engineering

In mammals, mechanosensory hair cells that facilitate hearing lack the ability to regenerate, which has limited treatments for hearing loss. Current regenerative medicine strategies have focused on transplanting stem cells or genetic manipulation of surrounding support cells in the inner ear to encourage replacement of damaged stem cells to correct hearing loss. Yet, the extracellular matrix (ECM) may play a vital role in inducing and maintaining function of hair cells, and has not been well investigated. Using the cochlear ECM as a scaffold to grow adult stem cells may provide unique insights into how the composition and architecture of the extracellular environment aids cells in sustaining hearing function. Here we present a method for isolating and decellularizing cochleae from mice to use as scaffolds accepting perfused adult stem cells. In the current protocol, cochleae are isolated from euthanized mice, decellularized, and decalcified. Afterward, human Wharton&#39;s jelly cells (hWJCs) that were isolated from the umbilical cord were carefully perfused into each cochlea. The cochleae were used as bioreactors, and cells were cultured for 30 days before undergoing processing for analysis. Decellularized cochleae retained identifiable extracellular structures, but did not reveal the presence of cells or noticeable fragments of DNA. Cells perfused into the cochlea invaded most of the interior and exterior of the cochlea and grew without incident over a duration of 30 days. Thus, the current method can be used to study how cochlear ECM affects cell development and behavior.

Using the methods presented here, successful decellularization of cochleae was assessed by examining the presence or absence of DNA through 4&#39;,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Cochleae were considered fully decellularized if DNA was not identified within the decellularized cochlea. A native cochlea from a previous experiment that did not undergo decellularization or decalcification was used as a positive control to illustrate the structures and cells traditionally found in ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Protocol for Decellularizing Mouse Cochleae for Inner Ear Tissue Engineering at JoVE.com

A Protocol for Decellularizing Mouse Cochleae for Inner Ear Tissue Engineering

The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate an effective method to decellularize and decalcify mouse cochleae for utilization as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.

In mammals, mechanosensory hair cells that facilitate hearing lack the ability to regenerate, which has limited treatments for hearing loss. Current ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to demonstrate an effective method to decellularize and decalcify mouse cochleae to use a scaffold for inner ear tissue engineering applications. This method can help answer key questions in the auditory and tissue engineering fields such as, how do 3D cochlea and various components of the extracellular matrix influence stem cell differentiation? The main advantage of this technique is that it enables the researcher to study how cells directly interact with the extracellular matrix of the cochlea to form sensory epithelium.Visual demonstration of this method is critical as the temporal bone isolation and cell profusion apparatus can be difficult to visualize correctly based solely on text descriptions. To begin this procedure bisect the skull in the midsagittal plane using a sharp pair of surgical scissors. Next, remove the brain tissue from the skull.Then identify the temporal bone through the presence of the auditory and vestibular nerve roots on the interior of the skull and the ear canal from the exterior. Carefully cut through the skull to isolate the temporal bone from the remainder of the skull. Afterward, insert the fine forceps into the opening of the ear canal approximately five millimeters so the tips do not risk puncturing the cochlea.Gently break open the bone of the bola so it fractures. Using fine forceps, pry away the remainder of the bola from the temporal bone exposing the bony labyrinth of the cochlea. Subsequently, submerge the temporal bone in PBS with the oval and round windows of the cochlea facing up.Using an ultra-fine pair of forceps remove the stapedial artery which passes through the stapes. Then insert one tip of the ultra-fine forceps through the arch of the stapes where the artery pass through and delicately lift the stapes upward. Following that, puncture the oval and round windows.Afterward, position the tubing which is connected to a PBS-filled 28.5 gauge syringe over the oval window. Profuse two millimeters of 10%Antibiotic-Atimycotic and 10%Penicillin-Streptomycin in PBS through the cochlea over five minutes to remove the perilymph. Then remove and discard any remaining muscle tissue and bone fragments.For decellularization, using the transfer pipet gently draw the cochlea up into the pipet so it just passes the cut off edge by a few millimeters. Next, expel the cochlea into the 1%SDS solution-filled scintillation vial. Circulate two milliliters of 1%SDS in de-ionized water through the cochlea in the scintillation vial using a transfer pipet.Place the scintillation vial into a rotator and allow it to rotate at 10RPM for 72 hours at room temperature. Replace with fresh, 1%SDS solution every 24 hours over a 72-hour period and be careful not to expose the cochlea to air during the solution replacement. After that, wash the cochlea three times in the same scintillation vial for 30 minutes each in DI water.At this stage, the cochlea should be decellularized. For decalcification, remove the remaining DI water from the scintillation vial leaving just enough to keep the cochlea submerged. To begin decalcification, add five milliliters of 10%EDTA and DI water to the scintillation vial containing the cochlea.Circulate two milliliters of 10%EDTA in de-ionized water through the cochlea in the scintillation vial using a transfer pipet. Place the scintillation vial back in the rotator and allow the scintillation vial to rotate at 10RPM for 72 hours at room temperature. Change the 10%EDTA solution every 24 hours over a 72-hour period.Take care when changing solutions so that the cochlea is not exposed to the air. Then rinse the cochlea three times for two hours each with PBS. At this stage, the cochlea should be decalcified.Before infusing cells, begin by incubating decellurized and decalcified cochlea in a 5%Carbon Dioxide, 37 degrees Celsius cell culture incubator for a minimum of one hour. To profuse the cochleae, next add a drop of MSCGM to each cochlea to prevent any cochlea from drying out. Transfer them to a new 24-well plate using a transfer pipet.Delicately orient the cochlea using ultra-fine forceps so that the oval and round windows are facing up. Then using a sterile 28.5 gauge Insulin syringe with connected tubing, draw up 0.2 milliliters of re-suspended Human Wharton's jelly cells. Subsequently, position tubing over the oval window using sterilized fine forceps.Delicately and slowly profuse the cochlea with 0.2 milliliters of re-suspended Human Wharton's jelly cells over five minutes. This profusion step is important. Successful profusion of fluids through the cochlea greatly impacts the outcome of this protocol.After profusion, add 0.8 milliliters of 37 degree Celsius pre-warmed MSCGM to the well containing cochlea to bring the total volume to one milliliter. Repeat the procedure for each cochlea. Using a fresh syringe and tubing each time.Place the profused cochlea in a 37 degree Celsius cell culture incubator and change the media three times per week. Shown here is the successful decellularization and decalcification of a mouse cochlea without any injected cells. Overall, cochlea anatomy is preserved with voids left with no dappy staining.Here are the representative results of successfully cultured Human Wharton's jelly cells on a cochlea scaffold. Abundant dappy staining is observed throughout the cochlea and on the outer bony surface. Closer examination of individual turns reveals that fine cochlea structures are preserved following decellularization and decalcification and that injected cells are attached to and or interacting with the native cochlea extra-cellular matrix.Decellularization in subsequent cell culture were also investigated using H&E staining. The decellularized cochlea contained none of the cells of the native cochlea but retains most of the anatomy of the organ of Corti because the extra-cellular matrix remains. Injected in cultured cells can be observed through the organ of Corti, interacting with the decellularized extra-cellular matrix.Once mastered, the profusion of cells into a decellularized cochlea can take approximately 10 to 15 minutes if the cochlea is already prepared and the required tools are laid out appropriately. While attempting this procedure it is important to handle the cochlea with care as it is fragile. It is also important to avoid the introduction of air into the cochlea as bubbles will block the flow of fluids during profusions.This general procedure can be applied to cochleae of other species and a wide array of cell types can be injected as well. Specific decellularization and decalcification times will likely vary but the underlying concepts will remain the same. Dr.Peter Santi at the University of Minnesota initially developed the decellularization technique that we modified for this protocol.We hope to make our technique and cell culture on cochlea scaffold available to other tissue engineers. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to successfully isolate, decellularize and decalcify temporal bones prior to injecting cells for the use in culture experiments.

a-protocol-for-decellularizing-mouse-cochleae-for-inner-ear-tissue

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

10.5K vistas.  University of Kansas Medical Center. The overall goal of this procedure is to demonstrate an effective method to decellularize and decalcify mouse cochleae to use a scaffold for inner ear tissue engineering applications. This method can help answer key questions in the auditory and tissue engineering fields such as, how do 3D cochlea and various components of the extracellular matrix influence stem cell differentiation? The main advantage of this technique is that it enables the researcher to study how cells directly interact wi...