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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
09:51
Cochlear Surface Preparation in the Adult Mouse
Published on: November 6, 2019
Manipulating cell cycle regulation in the mature cochlea
Ryosei Minoda1, Masahiko Izumikawa, Kohei Kawamoto
1Kresge Hearing Research Institute, The University of Michigan, MSRB 3, Rm. 9303, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0648, USA.
Hearing Research
|July 31, 2007
Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent due to lost auditory hair cells. This study shows that targeting p27(Kip1) and using Atoh1 can generate new hair cells, offering hope for hearing restoration.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss results from irreversible hair cell degeneration.
- The mature auditory epithelium's potential for hair cell regeneration is limited.
- p27(Kip1) is a known regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of p27(Kip1) in the mature auditory epithelium.
- To explore gene manipulation strategies for hair cell regeneration.
- To determine if induced cell proliferation alone can generate new hair cells.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing p27(Kip1) expression in mature auditory epithelium.
- Utilizing recombinant adenovirus vectors for gene overexpression (Skp2 and Atoh1).
- Assessing cell proliferation using BrdU incorporation.
Main Results:
- p27(Kip1) is present in the nuclei of non-sensory cells in the mature ear.
- Forced Skp2 expression induced proliferation (BrdU-positive cells).
- Combined Skp2 and Atoh1 overexpression significantly increased ectopic hair cell formation compared to Atoh1 alone.
Conclusions:
- p27(Kip1) is a viable target for gene manipulation in the mature auditory epithelium.
- Induced proliferation alone does not lead to new hair cell generation.
- Combining proliferation induction with Atoh1 expression is a promising strategy for hair cell regeneration.
Related Concept Videos
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
01:22Hair Cells
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
01:28The Cell Cycle Control System
The cell cycle regulation directs how a cell proceeds from one phase to the next and begins mitosis. The cell cycle control system includes intracellular regulatory molecules and external triggers. They provide "stop" or "advance" signals and operate at specific cell cycle stages termed checkpoints to ensure that a particular process is completed before the cell advances to the next phase.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
01:27Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
01:15Auditory Pathway
Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...