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Neonatal Murine Cochlear Explant Technique as an In Vitro Screening Tool in Hearing Research
Published on: June 8, 2017
Activation of TRAIL-DR5 pathway promotes sensorineural degeneration in the inner ear
Shyan-Yuan Kao1, Vitor Y R Soares1,2, Arthur G Kristiansen1
1Eaton Peabody Laboratories and Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract:
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokines are important mediators of inflammation. Elevated levels of serum TNF-α are associated with human sensorineural hearing loss via poorly understood mechanisms. We demonstrate, for the first time, expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its signaling death receptor 5 (DR5) in the murine inner ear and show that exogenous TRAIL can trigger hair cell and neuronal degeneration, which can be partly prevented with DR5-blocking antibodies.
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