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Low-dose rapamycin-induced autophagy in cochlear outer sulcus cells
Chika Saegusa1, Makoto Hosoya1, Takanori Nishiyama1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Keio University School of Medicine Tokyo Japan.
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
|June 30, 2020
Summary
Low-dose rapamycin activates autophagy in cochlear outer sulcus cells (OSCs). This cellular process, crucial for hearing, was observed to increase with even minimal rapamycin intake in a dose-dependent manner.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Autophagy is a vital cellular process for maintaining hearing and balance.
- Recent research highlights the critical role of autophagy in auditory function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activation of autophagy in cochlear outer sulcus cells (OSCs) induced by rapamycin.
- To determine the efficacy of low-dose oral rapamycin in activating autophagy within the cochlea.
Main Methods:
- Utilized autophagy reporter transgenic mice (GFP-LC3).
- Quantified GFP-LC3 puncta in cochlear OSCs to assess autophagy activation.
- Administered varying doses of oral rapamycin.
Main Results:
- Observed a basal level of GFP-LC3 expression in OSCs.
- Rapamycin administration significantly increased GFP-LC3 puncta, indicating autophagy activation.
- Autophagy activation was dose-dependent, observed even at 0.025 mg/kg daily intake.
- Higher puncta counts were noted in the basal turn compared to the apical turn of the cochlea.
Conclusions:
- Oral administration of low-dose rapamycin effectively activates autophagy in cochlear outer sulcus cells.
- This finding suggests a potential therapeutic avenue for hearing-related conditions involving autophagy.
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