Cellular autophagy, the compelling roles in hearing function and dysfunction.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition linked to auditory cell degradation.
• Autophagy, a cellular degradation and recycling pathway, is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
• Alterations in autophagy are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including SNHL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of autophagy in the auditory system.
• To elucidate how autophagy influences the function and survival of key auditory cells.
• To explore the implications of autophagy in hearing development and SNHL.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating autophagy in the auditory system.
• Analysis of research focusing on specific cell types within the hearing pathway (hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, etc.).
• Synthesis of findings on both the protective and detrimental effects of autophagy on hearing.

Main Results:

• Autophagy dysfunction is associated with the degradation of hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs).
• The role of autophagy in hearing is cell-specific and context-dependent, potentially promoting or inhibiting auditory function.
• Evidence suggests autophagy is critical for the development and maintenance of the auditory system.

Conclusions:

• Autophagy plays a significant role in both hearing preservation and hearing impairment.
• Understanding autophagy's specific functions in auditory cells is key to developing therapeutic strategies for SNHL.
• Targeting autophagy pathways may offer novel approaches for treating sensorineural hearing loss.