Correlation of PDCD5 and Apoptosis in Hair Cells and Spiral Ganglion Neurons of Different Age of C57BL/6J Mice

This study examined the expression pattern of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in co-chlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and its association with age-related hearing loss in mice.Sixty C57BL/6J (C57) mice at different ages were divided into four groups (3,6,9 or 12 months).PDCD5 expression was detected by using immunohistochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blot.Morphological change of the cochleae was also evaluated by using immunoassay.The results showed that the expression of PDCD5 had a gradual increase with ageing in both protein and RNA levels in C57 mice,as well as gradually increased apoptosis of cochlear hair cells and SGNs.In addition,we also found that caspase-3 activity was enhanced and its expression was enhanced with ageing.It is implied that overexpression of PDCD5 causes the increase in caspase-3 activity and the subsequent increase of apoptosis in cochlear hair cells and SGNs,and thereby plays a role in the pathogenesis of presbycusis.Thus,PDCD5 may be a new target site for the treatment and prevention of age-related hearing loss.

Hopf Amplification Originated from the Force-Gating Channels of Auditory Hair Cells

The sense of mammalian hearing exhibits nonlinear phenomena which are most significant to hearing function, such as nonlinear dynamic compression, nonlinear tuning and combination tones. These nonlinear phenomena are suggested to originate from the Hopf amplification within the cochlea, while the mechanism underlying the Hopf amplification remains elusive. According to the experimental results of force-gating channel operation in hair cells, through a theoretic model, this work reveals a velocity-dependent open probability of force-gating channels in auditory hair cells, and a velocity-dependent active force produced by the force-gating channel operating, which makes sensors hear typical Hopf vibrators with nonlinear hearing phenomena.

Ephrin A2 protein expression in the regeneration and plasticity of cochlear hair cells in chicken following kanamycin ototoxicity

The results from this study showed that the thresholds of brainstem auditory-evoked potentials peak following 10 successive days of intramuscular injection of Roman chickens with kanamycin, starting 3 days after birth. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry analysis revealed few ganglion cells positively labeled for Ephrin A2 in the cochlea of experimental chickens from 2 days before until 7 days after the last kanamycin injection. The number of Ephrin A2-positive ganglion cell bodies was increased at 15 days after the last injection and was similar to that in normal chickens at 30 days following the cessation of kanamycin treatment. These experimental findings indicate that Ephrin A2 protein expression in the acoustic ganglia is synchronized with the connection damage and regeneration of cochlear hair cells after kanamycin exposure. Ephrin A2 may play an important role in the regeneration and plasticity of cochlear hair cells in the chick cochlea following kanamycin ototoxicity.

Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtype Expression in Type Vestibular Hair Cells of Guinea Pigs

Recent studies have demonstrated that five subtypes （M1-M5） of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor （mAChR） are expressed in the vestibular periphery. However, the exact cellular location of the mAChRs is not clear. In this study, we investigated whether there is the expression of M1-M5 muscarinic receptor mRNA in isolated type Ⅱ vestibular hair cells of guinea pig by using single-cell RT-PCR. In vestibular end-organ, cDNA of the expected size was obtained by RT-PCR. Moreover, mRNA was identified by RT-PCR from individually isolated type Ⅱ vestibular hair cells （single-cell RT-PCR）. Sequence analysis confirmed that the products were M1-M5 mAChR. These results dem-onstrated that M1-M5 mAChR was expressed in the typeⅡvestibular hair cells of the guinea pig, which lends further support for the role of M1-M5 mAChR as a mediator of efferent cholinergic signalling pathway in vestibular hair cells.

Basic flbroblast growth factor protects auditory neurons and hair cells from noise exposure and glutamate neurotoxicity

The purpose of the present study was to determine protectivie effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on cochlear neurons and hair cells in vitro and in vivo. In experiment I, cultured spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) prepared from P3 mice were exposed to 20mM glutamate for 2 hours before the culture medium was replaced with fresh medium containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 ng/ml bFGF, respectively. Fourteen days later, all cultures were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, and stained with 1% toluidine blue. The number of surviving SGNs were counted and the length of SGNs neurites were measured. Exposure to 20 mM glutamate for 24 hours resulted in an inhibition on neurite outgrowth of SGNs and elevated cell death. Treatment of the cultures with bFGF led to promotion of neurite outgrowth and elevated number of surviving SGNs. Effects of bFGF were dose dependent with the highest potency at 100 ng/ml. In experiment Ⅱ, in vivo studies were carried out with guinea pigs in which bFGF or artificial perilymph was perfused into the cochlea to assess possible protective effects of bFGF on cochlear hair cells and compound action potentials(CAP). The CAPs were measured before, immediatly and 48 hours after exposure to noise. Significant differences in CAP were observed (p＜0. 05 ) among the bFGF perfused group, control group(t =3. 896 ) and artificial perilymph perfused group (t =2. 520) at 48 hours after noise exposure, Cochleae were removed and hair cell Loss was analyzed in surface preparations prepared from all experimental animals. Acoustic trauma caused loss of 651 and 687 inner hair cells in the control and artificial perilymph perfused group, respectively. In sharp contrast, only 31 inner hair cells were lost in the bFGF perfused ears. Similarly, more outer hair cells died in the control and perilymph perfuesed group (41830 and 41968, respectively) than in the group treated with bFGF (34258). Our results demonstrate that bFGF protected SGNs against glutmate neurotoxicity in vitro. In addition, treatment with bFGF also protected hair cells from acoustic trauma.

Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT enhances Atoh1 activity to generate new hair cells in situ in rat cochleae

Atoh1 overexpression in cochlear epithelium induces new hair cell formation. Use of adenovirus-mediated Atoh1 overexpression has mainly focused on the rat lesser epithelial ridge and induces ectopic hair cell regeneration. The sensory region of rat cochlea is difficult to transfect, thus new hair cells are rarely produced in situ in rat cochlear explants. After culturing rat cochleae in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, adenovirus successfully infected the sensory region as the width of the supporting cell area was significantly increased. Adenovirus encoding Atoh1 infected the sensory region and induced hair cell formation in situ. Combined application of the Notch inhibitor DAPT and Atoh1 increased the Atoh1 expression level and decreased hes1 and hes5 levels, further promoting hair cell generation. Our results demonstrate that DAPT enhances Atoh1 activity to promote hair cell regeneration in rat cochlear sensory epithelium in vitro.

Apoptosis in inner ear sensory hair cells

Apoptosis, or controlled cell death, is a normal part of cellular lifespan. Cell death of cochlear hair cells causes deafness; an apoptotic process that is not well understood. Worldwide, 1.3 billion humans suffer some form of hearing loss, while 360 million suffer debilitating hearing loss as a direct result of the absence of these cochlear hair cells(Worldwide Hearing, 2014). Much is known about apoptosis in other systems and in other cell types thanks to studies done since the mid-20 th century. Here we review current literature on apoptosis in general, and causes of deafness and cochlear hair cells loss as a result of apoptosis. The family of B-cell lymphoma(Bcl) proteins are among the most studied and characterized. We will review current literature on the Bcl2 and Bcl6 protein interactions in relation to apoptosis and their possible roles in vulnerability and survival of cochlear hair cells.

Mammalin cochlear supporting cells transdifferentiation into outer hair cells

Objective To study the recovery of the outer hair cells in the bat cochlea after gentamicin exposure. Methods Bats were injected with a daily dose of gentamicin for 15 consecutive days and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was given from day 16 to day 40 of this recovery phase. Hearing was assessed by overt acoustic behavior and auditory brainstem responses analysis, which was performed one day prior to the first injection and a day after the last injection (day 16). On day 40 animals were sacrificed for detection of cells that could take up BrdU. Results After 15 days of gentamicin treatment, all of the animals were proved to be deafened with significant increases of ABR thresholds, compared with control group. The findings in immunocytochemical stained samples and scanning electron microscopy revealed that BrdU labeled nuclei were observed in the cochlea in all of the deafened animals most commonly in the regions of the first-row and second-row Deiter’s cells (DCs) and occasionally in the regions of the third-row DCs. Conclusion We suggest that, under sufficient drug and enough time, the bat cochlear supporting cells can directly transdifferentiate into the outer hair cells after aminoglycoside exposure. This transdifferentation process is essential for repair of outer hair cells and recovery of normal function after gentamicin exposure.

Acetylcholine-induced calcium oscillation in isolated outer hair cells in guinea pig

Objective This study is to explore the relationship between acetylcholine(ACh)-induced calcium release from intracellular Ca2+ stores and function of outer hair cell(OHC) motors, in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of OHC electromotility at resting state. Methods OHCs were isolated from adult guinea pig (200-300 g) cochlea and loaded with Fluo-3/AM. The cells were treated with ACh/dHBSS, ACh/HBSS, dHBSS only or HBSS only. Intracellular [Ca2+]i variations in cells under the four treatments were observed using an Ar-Kr laser scan confocal microscope. Results [Ca2+]i oscillations were recorded in five OHCs treated with ACh/dHBSS but not in other cells. This is the first time that Ach-excited [Ca2+]i oscillations are reported in guinea pig OHCs independent of extracellular calcium. Conclusions ACh-excited [Ca2+]i oscillations in OHCs originates from intracellular calcium release and may play a crucial role in maintaining active mechanical motility of the OHC at resting and modulating OHC electromotility.

The role of Rho GTPase family in cochlear hair cells and hearing

Rho GTPases are essential regulators of the actin cytoskeleton.They are involved in various physiological and biochemical processes such as the regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics,development,proliferation,survival,and regeneration.During the development of cochlear hair cells,Rho GTPases are activated by various extracellular signals through membrane receptors to further stimulate multiple downstream effectors.Specifically,RhoA,Cdc42,and Rac1,members of the classical subfamily of the Rho GTPase family,regulate the development and maintenance of cilia by inducing the polymerization of actin monomers and stabilizing actin filaments.In addition,they also regulate the normal morphology orientation of ciliary bundles in auditory hair cells,which is an important element of cell polarity regulation.Moreover,the actin-related pathways mediated by RhoA,Cdc42,and Rac1 also play a role in the motility of outer hair cells,indicating that the function of Rho GTPases is crucial in the highly polar auditory sensory system.In this review,we focus on the expression of RhoA,Cdc42,and Rac1 in cochlear hair cells and how these small molecules participate in ciliary bundle morphogenesis and cochlear hair cell movement.We also discuss the progress of current research investigating the use of these small molecules as drug targets for deafness treatment.

The progenitors of inner ear hair cells and their regulating genes

Hair cells in the mammalian inner ear are very fragile and are often injured as a result of acoustic trauma or exposure to ototoxic drugs (cisplatin, aminoglycosides, etc) [1]. In amphibians and birds, spontaneous

Phosphatidylserine-positive particles in the apical domain of sensory hair cells

Apical membrane recycling has been proposed to be important for normal hair cell function. The current study reports an in vitro work that demonstrates the presence of phosphatidylserine (PS) and PS-positive vesicles labeled by Annexin V in the apical portion of hair cells. The following characteristics of the PS-positive vesicles were noticed using scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy:(1) variable sizes around 200 nm; (2) variable distribution patterns (either uniformly along individual stereocilia in the hair bundle or irregular) in the stereocilia from cell to cell; (3) variable sizes and numbers at locations along the border of the cuticular plate (CP), with a large number of them located at the vestigal kinocilial location; (4) motility with some of the vesicles during the observation period; (5) increase in PS labeling and the number of PS-positive vesicles after loud sound stimulation; and (6) decreased PS labeling and PS-positive vesicle numbers following treatment with LY-294002, a PI3 -kinase inhibitor. These results suggest that the presence of PS-positive vesicles at the apical area of hair cells may be indicative of vesicle shedding or transportation of a protein or rafts.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS ON REGENERATING HAIR CELLS IN THE CHICK BASILAR PAPILLA FOLLOWING AMINOGLYCOSIDE OTOTOXICITY

Newly hatched chicks were injected with so mg/(kg' d) of gentamycin sulfate (GM )for 10 days. After 18st injection, animals were killed on survival days 3,6 .9 and 12. The chick basilar papillae (BP) were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM ). The results sho've'Ithat regenerated hair cells were erupted to the hasal membrane surrace in the early phase. The cytoplasm of these regenerated hair cells was heavily stained an contained numerous mitochondria. Afterseveral days, stereocilia appeared. When stereocilis bundles were rormed and cuticular layer was integrated, hasal nerve terminals were round. The results suggested that regenerating hair cells 'veredirectly produced on the hasal membrane surface following gentamycin induced ototoxlcity and thenI,roliferated and developed Into mature normal hair cells.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the ampulla of Vater are extremely rare, and few cases of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ampulla have been reported. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with obstructive jaundice was admitted to our hospital. On examination the patient was found to have a periampullary growth and subsequently underwent the Whipple's procedure. RESULTS: Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry revealed features of LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater. The patient developed multiple liver metastases 6 months after Whipple's procedure. CONCLUSION: LCNEC of the ampulla of Vater is rare and highly aggressive, with a dismal prognosis.

Coexistence of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and villous adenoma in the ampulla of Vater

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is extremely rare and different from the common ampullary adenocarcinoma. The ampullary adenoma is also a rare neoplasm and has the potential to develop an adenocarcinoma. Their coexistence has been rarely reported in the literature. We herein describe an unusual case of a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma associated with a villous adenoma in the ampulla of Vater with emphasis on computed tomography (CT) and histopathological findings. We also discuss their clinical, histopathological and radiological features as well as possible histogenesis.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of ampulla of Vater:Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings

Signet-ring cell carcinoma(SRCC) of ampulla of Vater is extremely uncommon,and less than 15 cases have been reported so far in literature.It mainly occurs in elderly people(median age 57 years).We report a rare case of SRCC of the ampulla of Vater in a 38-year-old woman who presented with a small tumor at the Vater,discovered by the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Histopathological examination showed prominent signet-ring features.We also describe the imaging features of SRCC of ampulla of Vater in CEUS.

Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of Ampulla of Vater: Report of a Rare Malignancy and Literature Review

Introduction: Signet ring cell carcinoma is a rare tumor that generally originates in the gastrointestinal tract. Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is extremely uncommon and a very rare clinical entity, which is infrequently reported in medical literature and only 31 cases have been mentioned. Most tumors affecting Vater’s Ampulla are adenocarcinomas and other histological variants are less frequent. It mainly occurs in elderly patients. Case Presentation: We report a case of signet ring cell carcinoma of Vater’s Ampulla. The tumour had infiltrated the duodenal, but local lymph nodes were clear (T3N0M0). Duodenopancreatectomy with pylorus preservation is the treatment of choice. Conclusions: Etiology and survival are not well-defined in the literature due to the extreme rarity of this disease.

Bhlhe40 protects cochlear hair cell-like HEI-OC1 cells against H_(2)O_(2) ‑triggered oxidative injury

Background:Cochlear hair cell injury is a common pathological feature of hearing loss.The basic helix-loop-helix family,member e40(Bhlhe40),a gene belonging to the basic helix-loop-helix(bHLH)family,exhibits strong transcriptional repression activity.Methods:Oxidative damage,in House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1(HEI-OC1)cells,was caused using hydrogen peroxide(H2O2).The Ad-Bhlhe40 particles were constructed to overexpress Bhlhe40 in HEI-OC1 cells.Various assays including cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay(TUNEL),flow cytometry,immunofluorescence,and corresponding commercial kits were employed to investigate the impacts of Bhlhe40 on cell viability,apoptosis,oxidative stress levels,mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular senescence.Additionally,a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the targeting of the histone deacetylases 2(Hdac2)by Bhlhe40.Results:The results revealed that Bhlhe40 was downregulated in H_(2)O_(2)-treated HEI-OC1 cells,but its overexpression improved cell viability and mitigated H_(2)O_(2)-induced oxidative injury in HEI-OC1 cells with increase of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT)and glutathione peroxidase(GPx)activities and decrease of reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels.Besides,overexpression of Bhlhe40 suppressed H_(2)O_(2)-triggered cell senescence,as evidenced by the fact that the upregulation of P53,P21,and P16 in HEI-OC1 cells treated with H2O2 were all alleviated by Bhlhe40 overexpression.And we further verified that overexpression of Bhlhe40 could inhibit the expression of Hdac2,which may be related to the repression of Hdac2 transcription.Conclusion:This study suggests that Bhlhe40 plays a protective role against senescence and oxidative damage in cochlear hair cells exposed to H2O2.

Cholinergic agonists increase intracellular calcium concentration in guinea pig vestibular hair cells

Abstract:Objective To better understand the cholinergic receptors in vestibular hair cells (VHC) and their subtypes, and to investigate the effects of cholinergic agonists on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i ) in guinea pig VHCs.Methods VHCs were isolated from guinea pig crista ampullaris by enzymatic and mechanical methods. The effect of cholinergic agonists on [Ca2+]i was examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy and the Ca2+ sensitive dye Fluo-3.Results The results showed that the addition of acetylcholine (ACh) and carbachol (CCh), muscarnic and nicotinic agonists, induced [Ca2+]i increases in all the VHCs, whereas acetylcholine bromide (ACh-Br), a nicotinic agonist, induced the [Ca2+]i increase in only a small percentage of VHCs. The ACh or CCh-induced Ca2+ response could be partially suppressed by atropine. In the presence of 0.1?mmol/L atropine, the amplitudes of ACh or CCh-induced [Ca2+]i responses became significantly smaller than those in atropine free medium (P<0.01). Conclusions The results suggest the existence of cholinergic receptors in guinea pig VHCs. It is the muscarnic agonists rather than nicontic receptors that dominate [Ca2+]i variation. Atropine can suppress muscarnic agonist-induced Ca2+ responses.