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Updated: May 30, 2026
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Culture of Embryonic Mouse Cochlear Explants and Gene Transfer by Electroporation
Published on: January 12, 2015
Expression analysis of microRNAs in murine cochlear explants
Misato Hirai1, Yukihide Maeda, Kunihiro Fukushima
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, Okayama, Japan.
Neuroreport
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Cochlear cultures accurately reflect microRNA (miRNA) expression in vivo. This validates using in vitro cochlear models for studying gene expression and chemical effects on hearing.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for auditory function.
- Understanding miRNA expression in the cochlea is key to addressing hearing loss.
- In vitro models are needed to study cochlear biology and drug effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate cochlear culture as an in vitro model for miRNA expression analysis.
- To assess the reliability of miRNA profiling in ex vivo cochlear explants.
- To determine if in vitro miRNA expression correlates with in vivo patterns.
Main Methods:
- Dissected E15 cochleae and cultured them in vitro for 48 hours.
- Extracted miRNAs from both in vitro cultured and in vivo cochleae.
- Screened miRNA expression using a comprehensive miRNA array (380 miRNAs).
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was found between in vitro and in vivo miRNA expression levels.
- Expression of 43 miRNAs was significantly altered in the in vitro model.
- Observed changes in miRNA expression were reproducible across three independent trials.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear culture is a valid in vitro experimental tool for miRNA expression studies.
- In vitro miRNA profiling accurately reflects in vivo gene expression in the cochlea.
- This model system can be used to analyze the effects of chemical compounds on cochlear function.
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01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
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MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...