scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms and Biological Functions of Autophagy for Genetics of Hearing Impairment

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1331
Author(s):  
Ken Hayashi ◽  
Yuna Suzuki ◽  
Chisato Fujimoto ◽  
Sho Kanzaki
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Eukaryotic Cell ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

The etiology of hearing impairment following cochlear damage can be caused by many factors, including congenital or acquired onset, ototoxic drugs, noise exposure, and aging. Regardless of the many different etiologies, a common pathologic change is auditory cell death. It may be difficult to explain hearing impairment only from the aspect of cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, or necroptosis because the level of hearing loss varies widely. Therefore, we focused on autophagy as an intracellular phenomenon functionally competing with cell death. Autophagy is a dynamic lysosomal degradation and recycling system in the eukaryotic cell, mandatory for controlling the balance between cell survival and cell death induced by cellular stress, and maintaining homeostasis of postmitotic cells, including hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in the inner ear. Autophagy is considered a candidate for the auditory cell fate decision factor, whereas autophagy deficiency could be one of major causes of hearing impairment. In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms and biologic functions of autophagy in the auditory system and discuss the latest research concerning autophagy-related genes and sensorineural hearing loss to gain insight into the role of autophagic mechanisms in inner-ear disorders.

scholarly journals Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Mitochondrial Apoptosis of Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Fibroblast Growth Factor 13 Knockout Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulou Yu ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Feng Luan ◽  
Guoqiang Gu ◽  
Ran Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Spiral Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Auditory Function ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Deafness is known to occur in more than 400 syndromes and accounts for almost 30% of hereditary hearing loss. The molecular mechanisms underlying such syndromic deafness remain unclear. Furthermore, deafness has been a common feature in patients with three main syndromes, the BÖrjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome, Wildervanck syndrome, and Congenital Generalized Hirsutism, all of which are characterized by loss-of-function mutations in the Fgf13 gene. Whether the pathogenesis of deafness in these syndromes is associated with the Fgf13 mutation is not known. To elucidate its role in auditory function, we generated a mouse line with conditional knockout of the Fgf13 gene in the inner ear (Fgf13 cKO). FGF13 is expressed predominantly in the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), stria vascularis, and the supporting cells. Conditional knockout of the gene in the inner ear led to sensorineural deafness with low amplitude and increased latency of wave I in the auditory brainstem response test but had a normal distortion product otoacoustic emission threshold. Fgf13 deficiency resulted in decreased SGN density from the apical to the basal region without significant morphological changes and those in the number of hair cells. TUNEL and caspase-3 immunocytochemistry assays showed that apoptotic cell death mediated the loss of SGNs. Further detection of apoptotic factors through qRT-PCR suggested the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in SGNs. Together, this study reveals a novel role for Fgf13 in auditory function, and indicates that the gene could be a potential candidate for understanding deafness. These findings may provide new perspectives on the molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets for treatment deafness.

scholarly journals Intrinsically Self-renewing Neuroprogenitors From the A/J Mouse Spiral Ganglion as Virtually Unlimited Source of Mature Auditory Neurons

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Rousset ◽  
Vivianne B. C. Kokje ◽  
Rebecca Sipione ◽  
Dominik Schmidbauer ◽  
German Nacher-Soler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Auditory Neurons ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Nearly 460 million individuals are affected by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), one of the most common human sensory disorders. In mammals, hearing loss is permanent due to the lack of efficient regenerative capacity of the sensory epithelia and spiral ganglion neurons (SGN). Sphere-forming progenitor cells can be isolated from the mammalian inner ear and give rise to inner ear specific cell types in vitro. However, the self-renewing capacities of auditory progenitor cells from the sensory and neuronal compartment are limited to few passages, even after adding powerful growth factor cocktails. Here, we provide phenotypical and functional characterization of a new pool of auditory progenitors as sustainable source for sphere-derived auditory neurons. The so-called phoenix auditory neuroprogenitors, isolated from the A/J mouse spiral ganglion, exhibit robust intrinsic self-renewal properties beyond 40 passages. At any passage or freezing–thawing cycle, phoenix spheres can be efficiently differentiated into mature spiral ganglion cells by withdrawing growth factors. The differentiated cells express both neuronal and glial cell phenotypic markers and exhibit similar functional properties as mouse spiral ganglion primary explants and human sphere-derived spiral ganglion cells. In contrast to other rodent models aiming at sustained production of auditory neurons, no genetic transformation of the progenitors is needed. Phoenix spheres therefore represent an interesting starting point to further investigate self-renewal in the mammalian inner ear, which is still far from any clinical application. In the meantime, phoenix spheres already offer an unlimited source of mammalian auditory neurons for high-throughput screens while substantially reducing the numbers of animals needed.

scholarly journals Autophagy Regulates the Survival of Hair Cells and Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Cases of Noise, Ototoxic Drug, and Age-Induced Sensorineural Hearing Loss

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingna Guo ◽  
Wei Cao ◽  
Yuguang Niu ◽  
Shuangba He ◽  
Renjie Chai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Hair Cells ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Spiral Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Spontaneous Regeneration ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Inner ear hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are the core components of the auditory system. However, they are vulnerable to genetic defects, noise exposure, ototoxic drugs and aging, and loss or damage of HCs and SGNs results in permanent hearing loss due to their limited capacity for spontaneous regeneration in mammals. Many efforts have been made to combat hearing loss including cochlear implants, HC regeneration, gene therapy, and antioxidant drugs. Here we review the role of autophagy in sensorineural hearing loss and the potential targets related to autophagy for the treatment of hearing loss.

scholarly journals Cochlear Synaptopathy and Noise-Induced Hidden Hearing Loss

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijuan Shi ◽  
Ying Chang ◽  
Xiaowei Li ◽  
Steve Aiken ◽  
Lijie Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Type I ◽  
Functional Deficits ◽  
Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Hidden Hearing Loss ◽  
Signal Coding

Recent studies on animal models have shown that noise exposure that does not lead to permanent threshold shift (PTS) can cause considerable damage around the synapses between inner hair cells (IHCs) and type-I afferent auditory nerve fibers (ANFs). Disruption of these synapses not only disables the innervated ANFs but also results in the slow degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons if the synapses are not reestablished. Such a loss of ANFs should result in signal coding deficits, which are exacerbated by the bias of the damage toward synapses connecting low-spontaneous-rate (SR) ANFs, which are known to be vital for signal coding in noisy background. As there is no PTS, these functional deficits cannot be detected using routine audiological evaluations and may be unknown to subjects who have them. Such functional deficits in hearing without changes in sensitivity are generally called “noise-induced hidden hearing loss (NIHHL).” Here, we provide a brief review to address several critical issues related to NIHHL: (1) the mechanism of noise induced synaptic damage, (2) reversibility of the synaptic damage, (3) the functional deficits as the nature of NIHHL in animal studies, (4) evidence of NIHHL in human subjects, and (5) peripheral and central contribution of NIHHL.

scholarly journals Effect of Electroacupuncture on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chia-Hao Chang ◽  
Chia-Der Lin ◽  
Ching-Liang Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Auditory Threshold ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Responses ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Noise Induced Hearing Loss ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Acupuncture has long been used to relieve some inner ear diseases such as deafness and tinnitus. The present study examined the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in animals. A NIHL rat model was established. Electroacupuncture pretreatment at 2 Hz or posttreatment at the right Zhongzhu (TE3) acupoint was applied for 1 hour. Auditory thresholds were measured using auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and histopathology of the cochlea was examined. The results indicated that the baseline auditory threshold of ABR was not significantly different between the control (no noise), EA-only (only EA without noise), noise (noise exposure only), pre-EA (pretreating EA then noise), and post-EA (noise exposure then posttreating with EA) groups. Significant auditory threshold shifts were found in the noise, pre-EA, and post-EA groups in the immediate period after noise exposure, whereas auditory recovery was better in the pre-EA and post-EA groups than that in the noise group at the three days, one week (W1), two weeks (W2), three weeks (W3), and four weeks(W4) after noise stimulation. Histopathological examination revealed greater loss of the density of spiral ganglion neurons in the noise group than in the control group at W1 and W2. Although significant loss of spiral ganglion loss happened in pre-EA and post-EA groups, such loss was less than the loss of the noise group, especially W1. These results indicate that either pretreatment or posttreatment with EA may facilitate auditory recovery after NIHL. The detailed mechanism through which EA alleviates NIHL requires further study.

scholarly journals Targeted Deletion of Loxl3 by Col2a1-Cre Leads to Progressive Hearing Loss

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyi Liu ◽  
Xinfeng Bai ◽  
Peifeng Wan ◽  
Fan Mo ◽  
Ge Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Basilar Membrane ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Spiral Ligament ◽  
Progressive Hearing Loss ◽  
Secondary Degeneration ◽  
Ganglion Neurons

Collagens are major constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that play an essential role in the structure of the inner ear and provide elasticity and rigidity when the signals of sound are received and transformed into electrical signals. LOXL3 is a member of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family that are copper-dependent amine oxidases, generating covalent cross-links to stabilize polymeric elastin and collagen fibers in the ECM. Biallelic missense variant of LOXL3 was found in Stickler syndrome with mild conductive hearing loss. However, available information regarding the specific roles of LOXL3 in auditory function is limited. In this study, we showed that the Col2a1-Cre-mediated ablation of Loxl3 in the inner ear can cause progressive hearing loss, degeneration of hair cells and secondary degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons. The abnormal distribution of type II collagen in the spiral ligament and increased inflammatory responses were also found in Col2a1–Loxl3–/– mice. Amino oxidase activity exerts an effect on collagen; thus, Loxl3 deficiency was expected to result in the instability of collagen in the spiral ligament and the basilar membrane, which may interfere with the mechanical properties of the organ of Corti and induce the inflammatory responses that are responsible for the hearing loss. Overall, our findings suggest that Loxl3 may play an essential role in maintaining hearing function.

scholarly journals Protection of Cochlear Ribbon Synapses and Prevention of Hidden Hearing Loss

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mei Wei ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Yao Liu ◽  
Xiang Mao ◽  
Tai Sheng Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Spiral Ganglion ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Auditory Neuropathy ◽  
Synapse Loss ◽  
Ribbon Synapses ◽  
Ganglion Neurons ◽  
Hidden Hearing Loss ◽  
Therapeutic Research

In the auditory system, ribbon synapses are vesicle-associated structures located between inner hair cells (IHCs) and spiral ganglion neurons that are implicated in the modulation of trafficking and fusion of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic terminals. Synapse loss may result in hearing loss and difficulties with understanding speech in a noisy environment. This phenomenon happens without permanent hearing loss; that is, the cochlear synaptopathy is “hidden.” Recent studies have reported that synapse loss might be critical in the pathogenesis of hidden hearing loss. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the formation, structure, regeneration, and protection of ribbon synapses will assist in the design of potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe and summarize the following aspects of ribbon synapses: (1) functional and structural features, (2) potential mechanisms of damage, (3) therapeutic research on protecting the synapses, and (4) the role of synaptic regeneration in auditory neuropathy and the current options for synapse rehabilitation.

scholarly journals mTOR Signaling in the Inner Ear as Potential Target to Treat Hearing Loss

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6368
Author(s):  
Maurizio Cortada ◽  
Soledad Levano ◽  
Daniel Bodmer
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Mtor Signaling ◽  
Curative Therapy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Survival Pathways

Hearing loss affects many people worldwide and occurs often as a result of age, ototoxic drugs and/or excessive noise exposure. With a growing number of elderly people, the number of people suffering from hearing loss will also increase in the future. Despite the high number of affected people, for most patients there is no curative therapy for hearing loss and hearing aids or cochlea implants remain the only option. Important treatment approaches for hearing loss include the development of regenerative therapies or the inhibition of cell death/promotion of cell survival pathways. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a central regulator of cell growth, is involved in cell survival, and has been shown to be implicated in many age-related diseases. In the inner ear, mTOR signaling has also started to gain attention recently. In this review, we will emphasize recent discoveries of mTOR signaling in the inner ear and discuss implications for possible treatments for hearing restoration.

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