Hearing Recovery Induced by DNA Demethylation in a Chemically Deafened Adult Mouse Model

Deng, Xin and Hu, Zhengqing (2022) Hearing Recovery Induced by DNA Demethylation in a Chemically Deafened Adult Mouse Model. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 16. ISSN 1662-5102

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Abstract

Functional hair cell regeneration in the adult mammalian inner ear remains challenging. This study aimed to study the function of new hair cells induced by a DNA demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. Adult mice were deafened chemically, followed by injection of 5-azacytidine or vehicle into the inner ear. Functionality of regenerated hair cells was evaluated by expression of hair cell proteins, auditory brainstem response (ABR), and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) tests for 6 weeks. In the vehicle-treated group, no cells expressed the hair cell-specific protein myosin VIIa in the cochlea, whereas numerous myosin VIIa-expressing cells were found in the 5-azacytidine-treated cochlea, suggesting the regeneration of auditory hair cells. Moreover, regenerated hair cells were co-labeled with functional proteins espin and prestin. Expression of ribbon synapse proteins suggested synapse formation between new hair cells and neurons. In hearing tests, progressive improvements in ABR [5–30 dB sound pressure level (SPL)] and DPOAE (5–20 dB) thresholds were observed in 5-azacytidine-treated mice. In vehicle-treated mice, there were <5 dB threshold changes in hearing tests. This study demonstrated the ability of 5-azacytidine to promote the functional regeneration of auditory hair cells in a mature mouse model via DNA demethylation, which may provide insights into hearing regeneration using an epigenetic approach.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Library Keep > Medical Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@librarykeep.com
Date Deposited: 07 Apr 2023 09:35
Last Modified: 03 Jan 2024 07:01
URI: http://archive.jibiology.com/id/eprint/486

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