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Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
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PGC-1α affects cochlear pericytes migration in noise-exposed mice
Wen-Jun Jiang1, Zan Zhou2, Yan-Ping Wang3
1Department of Physiology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, China; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, 314000, China.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|November 6, 2023
Summary
Noise-induced hearing loss in mice is linked to cochlear stria vascularis swelling, pericyte migration, and blood-labyrinth barrier leakage, potentially due to increased oxidative stress and reduced PGC-1α expression.
Area of Science:
- Ototoxicology
- Cellular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Noise exposure is a significant cause of hearing loss.
- The stria vascularis (SV) plays a crucial role in maintaining cochlear function.
- Pericytes in the SV are vital for vascular integrity and blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of noise exposure on cochlear stria vascularis (SV) pericytes in mice.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying noise-induced pericyte changes and BLB permeability.
- To assess the role of oxidative stress and PGC-1α in noise-induced cochlear damage.
Main Methods:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) for hearing loss assessment.
- Histological (HE, immunofluorescence) and electron microscopy (TEM) for morphological and pericyte analysis.
- Western blotting (WB) for protein expression (OPN, PGC-1α).
- Evans Blue assay for blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) permeability.
- Oxidative stress markers (4-HNE, SOD, MDA, CAT) analysis.
Main Results:
- Noise exposure caused permanent hearing loss, SV swelling, and pericyte migration.
- Increased blood-labyrinth barrier (BLB) leakage and elevated oxidative stress in the SV were observed.
- Reduced expression of proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) in the SV and pericytes was noted.
Conclusions:
- Noise exposure may induce oxidative stress and downregulate PGC-1α in the SV.
- Pericyte migration and subsequent BLB permeability elevation are potential consequences of noise exposure.
- These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for noise-induced hearing loss.
