Modification and validation of a GAD-GFP mouse line without accelerated aging-related hearing loss

GABAergic neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) play a crucial role in auditory processing by extracting specific features of sounds (Ono et al., 2005). The Gad67-GFP mouse model developed by Tamamaki et al. in 2003 on a Swiss background facilitates studying these neurons by using a green fluorescent protein that is expressed endogenously via the GAD67 promoter. Unfortunately, this mouse suffers from accelerated aging-related hearing loss, limiting its utility in studying the auditory system. Here, we report the results of an 8-generation backcross of this line onto CBA/CaJ mice, which produces mice with stable low-threshold hearing while retaining GFP expression in GAD+ neurons. Additionally, this study investigates mechanisms that underlie hearing loss in the Gad67-GFP mouse model by focusing specifically on cochlear hair cells (HCs) and ribbon synapses, which may contribute to both model-specific hearing loss and clinical disorders like presbycusis. Findings revealed the newly generated F1 mouse model that resulted from the Gad67-GFP x CBA/CaJ backcross maintained better hearing thresholds when compared to ABR data for Gad67 and Swiss mice and very closely resembled those of the CBA/CaJ mice, mirroring progression of presbycusis in humans. Additionally, all morphological changes observed in cochlear structure correlated to ABR thresholds. F1 mice continued maintained expression of the GAD67 promoter in the IC via immunostaining.