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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Isolating LacZ-expressing Cells from Mouse Inner Ear Tissues using Flow Cytometry
Published on: December 23, 2011
LGR5-Positive Supporting Cells Survive Ototoxic Trauma in the Adult Mouse Cochlea
Natalia Smith-Cortinez1,2, Rana Yadak1,2, Ferry G J Hendriksen1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Sensorineural hearing loss is mainly caused by irreversible damage to sensory hair cells (HCs). A subgroup of supporting cells (SCs) in the cochlea express leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), a marker for tissue-resident stem cells. LGR5+ SCs could be used as an endogenous source of stem cells for regeneration of HCs to treat hearing loss. Here, we report long-term presence of LGR5+ SCs in the mature adult cochlea and survival of LGR5+ SCs after severe ototoxic trauma characterized by partial loss of inner HCs and complete loss of outer HCs. Surviving LGR5+ SCs (confirmed by GFP expression) were located in the third row of Deiters' cells. We observed a change in the intracellular localization of GFP, from the nucleus in normal-hearing to cytoplasm and membrane in deafened mice. These data suggests that the adult mammalian cochlea possesses properties essential for regeneration even after severe ototoxic trauma.
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