The Role of Pericytes in Inner Ear Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Antonino Maniaci,
Marilena Briglia,
Fabio Allia,
Giuseppe Montalbano,
Giovanni Luca Romano,
Mohamed Amine Zaouali,
Dorra H’mida,
Caterina Gagliano,
Roberta Malaguarnera,
Mario Lentini,
Adriana Carol Eleonora Graziano,
Giovanni Giurdanella
Affiliations
Antonino Maniaci
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Marilena Briglia
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Fabio Allia
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Giuseppe Montalbano
Zebrafish Neuromorphology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
Giovanni Luca Romano
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Mohamed Amine Zaouali
Laboratory of Human Genome and Multifactorial Diseases (LR12ES07), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Avicenne Street, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia
Dorra H’mida
Department of Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology, Farhat Hached Hospital, 4021 Sousse, Tunisia
Caterina Gagliano
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Roberta Malaguarnera
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Mario Lentini
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Adriana Carol Eleonora Graziano
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Giovanni Giurdanella
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
Inner ear disorders, including sensorineural hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis, are prevalent conditions that significantly impact the quality of life. Despite their high incidence, the underlying pathophysiology of these disorders remains elusive, and current treatment options are often inadequate. Emerging evidence suggests that pericytes, a type of vascular mural cell specialized to maintain the integrity and function of the microvasculature, may play a crucial role in the development and progression of inner ear disorders. The pericytes are present in the microvasculature of both the cochlea and the vestibular system, where they regulate blood flow, maintain the blood–labyrinth barrier, facilitate angiogenesis, and provide trophic support to neurons. Understanding their role in inner ear disorders may provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of these conditions and lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, improving the standard of living. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed overview of the role of pericytes in inner ear disorders, highlighting the anatomy and physiology in the microvasculature, and analyzing the mechanisms that contribute to the development of the disorders. Furthermore, we explore the potential pericyte-targeted therapies, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic approaches, as well as gene therapy strategies.