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Abstract
Although proteomics has been exploited in a wide range of diseases for identification of biomarkers and pathophysiological mechanisms, there are still biomedical disciplines such as otology where proteomics platforms are underused due to technical challenges and/or complex features of the disease. Thus, in the past few years, healthcare and scientific agencies have advocated the development and adoption of proteomic technologies in otological research. However, few studies have been conducted and limited literature is available in this area. Here, we present the state of the art of proteomics in otology, discussing the substantial evidence from recent experimental models and clinical studies in inner-ear conditions. We also delineate a series of critical issues including minute size of the inner ear, delicacy and poor accessibility of tissue that researchers face while undertaking otology proteomics research. Furthermore, we provide perspective to enhance the impact and lead to the clinical implementation of these proteomics-based strategies.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Proteomics techniques have recently been incorporated into the study of inner ear pathology and physiology.
Inner ear proteomics used both biofluids and tissue biopsies of humans and animal models to detect biomarkers of inner ear pathologies.
Previously uncharacterized proteins were detected in the inner ear hair cells and found to be key components of mechanotransduction pathways including TMIE-protocadherin 15 interactions.
Proteomics studies on normal inner ear physiology uncovered prominent pathways in inner ear homeostasis that may be disrupted in different pathological conditions.
Mass spectrometry-based protein profiling of inner ear development revealed the role of Twifilin 2 protein in stereocilial elongation during inner ear development.
Pathology-associated changes in protein profiled of the inner ear uncovered key processes in normal homeostasis and injury-related compensatory responses.
Protein profiling of inner ear fluids suggested potential biomarkers of hearing loss etiologies; yet, the poor access to these fluids hurdles clinical translation of findings.
Despite current efforts, the only clinically available serum or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of inner ear pathology are acute-phase reactant proteins that are nonspecific and of poor utility.
Future advancement in proteomics techniques in addition to separation and enrichment tools hold promise for ground-breaking findings in proteomic organization of the inner ear.