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Age-related transcriptome changes in Sox2+ supporting cells in the mouse cochlea
Cheng Cheng1,2, Yunfeng Wang3,4, Luo Guo4
1Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, No. 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
|December 4, 2019
Summary
Inner ear supporting cells (SCs) lose their hair cell (HC) regeneration ability with age. This study identifies key genes in SCs that change with age, offering potential therapeutic targets for HC regeneration in mammals.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Inner ear supporting cells (SCs) in neonatal mice can regenerate hair cells (HCs).
- HC regeneration capacity diminishes significantly in adult mice.
- Understanding age-related changes in SC gene expression is crucial for effective HC regeneration strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in the gene expression profiles of mouse cochlear supporting cells (SCs).
- To identify genes influencing the proliferation and HC regeneration potential of SCs across different postnatal ages.
- To discover potential therapeutic targets for enhancing HC regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Sox2+ SCs from mouse cochleae at postnatal days 3, 7, 14, and 30 using flow cytometry.
- Transcriptome profiling of isolated SCs via RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq).
- Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to identify age-related and differentially expressed genes.
Main Results:
- Confirmed decreased proliferation and HC regeneration ability of SCs with increasing age.
- Identified numerous age-enriched and differentially expressed genes in SCs, including cell cycle regulators, signaling pathway components, and transcription factors.
- Discovered a set of genes potentially regulating SC proliferation and HC differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Several genes identified may play critical roles in regulating SC proliferation and HC regeneration.
- The generated gene expression datasets offer a valuable resource for developing therapeutic targets for SC-mediated HC regeneration.
- These findings hold promise for future treatments aimed at restoring hearing by regenerating HCs in mammals.
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