How immune cells (macrophages) affect hearing loss from chronic middle ear infections
The role of macrophages in chronic suppurative otitis media associated sensory hearing loss
Researchers will look at whether immune cells called macrophages cause hearing loss in people with long-lasting, draining middle ear infections, especially in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237620 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a new animal model that mimics chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with infections that persist for months and form biofilms. Scientists will track how macrophages and other immune cells respond to the chronic infection and how that immune response relates to hair cell death in the inner ear. They will use approaches such as bone marrow grafts and labeled immune cells to change or trace macrophages and observe effects on hearing. The goal is to map the biological steps that turn long-term middle ear infection into permanent sensory hearing loss and point to targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic suppurative otitis media (persistent draining middle ear infections), especially children or those with recurrent Pseudomonas infections, would be most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose hearing loss is purely conductive (from eardrum or middle ear bone problems), due to genetic causes, or from noise exposure are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat the inner ear damage that leads to permanent hearing loss after chronic ear infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research links inflammation to inner ear cell damage but largely used short-term or non-Pseudomonas models, making this long-term Pseudomonas biofilm model relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santa Maria, Peter Luke — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Santa Maria, Peter Luke
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.