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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Dicer Is Down-regulated and Correlated with Drosha in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Shin Kim1, Jae-Ho Lee2, Sung-Il Nam3
1Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract:
Previously, we reported the expression levels of specific microRNA machinery components, DGCR8 and AGO2, and their clinical association in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss (SSNHL). In the present study, we investigated the other important components of microRNA machinery and their association with clinical parameters in SSNHL patients. Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with SSNHL and fifty healthy volunteers were included in this study. We evaluated mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha in whole blood of patients with SSNHL and the control group, using RT & real-time PCR analysis. The Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL. However, the Drosha mRNA expression level was not significantly altered in patients with SSNHL. Neither the Dicer nor Drosha mRNA expression level was not associated with any clinical parameters, including age, sex, duration of initial treatment from onset (days), initial Pure tone average, Siegel's criteria, WBC, and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. However, mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha were positively correlated to each other in patients with SSNHL. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that the Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL, suggesting its important role in pathobiology of SSNHL development.
Insights
Dicer mRNA expression is down-regulated in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), indicating its potential role in the condition's development. Drosha levels remained unchanged, but Dicer and Drosha correlated in SSNHL patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a complex condition with poorly understood pathobiology.
- MicroRNA machinery components are crucial for gene regulation and may play a role in SSNHL.
- Previous studies identified altered expression of DGCR8 and AGO2 in SSNHL patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha in SSNHL patients.
- To determine the association between Dicer and Drosha expression and clinical parameters in SSNHL.
- To elucidate the role of microRNA machinery in the pathogenesis of SSNHL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study involving 57 SSNHL patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure Dicer and Drosha mRNA expression in whole blood.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate gene expression with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Dicer mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in SSNHL patients compared to controls.
- Drosha mRNA expression showed no significant difference between SSNHL patients and controls.
- Neither Dicer nor Drosha mRNA levels correlated with clinical parameters (age, sex, duration, hearing thresholds, WBC, ESR).
- A positive correlation was observed between Dicer and Drosha mRNA expression levels within the SSNHL group.
Conclusions:
- Down-regulation of Dicer mRNA is a novel finding in SSNHL, suggesting its involvement in the disease's pathology.
- While Drosha levels are not altered, the coordinated expression of Dicer and Drosha warrants further investigation in SSNHL.
- These findings highlight Dicer as a potential player in the molecular mechanisms underlying sudden hearing loss.
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