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Development and transdifferentiation into inner hair cells require Tbx2.
Zhenghong Bi1, Xiang Li1, Minhui Ren1,2
1Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
National Science Review
|January 23, 2023
Summary
T-box 2 (Tbx2) is crucial for inner hair cell (IHC) development. Co-expressing Tbx2 and Atoh1 can reprogram supporting cells into functional IHCs, offering a potential new therapy for hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Atoh1 is vital for auditory hair cell development in mammals.
- While Ikzf2 is essential for outer hair cell (OHC) development, the key gene for inner hair cell (IHC) development is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the key gene for IHC development.
- To explore Tbx2's role in IHC development and regeneration potential.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the role of Tbx2 by deleting it in neonatal IHCs.
- Examined the effect of Tbx2 and Atoh1 co-expression on non-sensory supporting cells.
Main Results:
- Tbx2 deletion in IHCs caused transdifferentiation into OHCs, altering gene expression.
- Persistent Tbx2 with transient Atoh1 expression reprogrammed supporting cells into advanced IHCs expressing vGlut3.
Conclusions:
- Tbx2 is essential for IHC development.
- Co-upregulation of Tbx2 and Atoh1 presents a novel strategy for treating IHC degeneration-related hearing loss.
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