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Cai W, Grosh K. Rate Dependent Cochlear Outer Hair Cell Force Generation: Models and Parameter Estimation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.13.571371. [PMID: 38168239 PMCID: PMC10760109 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.13.571371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The outer hair cells (OHCs) of the mammalian cochlea are the mediators of an active, nonlinear electromechanical process necessary for sensitive, frequency specific hearing. The membrane protein prestin conveys to the OHC a piezoelectric-like behavior hypothesized to actuate a high frequency, cycle-by-cycle conversion of electrical to mechanical energy to boost cochlear responses to low-level sound. This hypothesis has been debated for decades, and we address two key remaining issues: the influence of the rate dependence of conformal changes in prestin and the OHC transmembrane impedance. We develop a theoretical electromechanical model of the OHC that explicitly includes rate dependence of conformal transitions, viscoelasticity, and piezoelectricity. Using this theory, we show the influence of rate dependence and viscoelasticity on electromechanical force generation. Further, we stress the importance of using the correct mechanical boundary conditions when estimating the transmembrane capacitance. Finally, a set of experiments is described to uniquely estimate the constitutive properties of the OHC from whole-cell measurements.
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Zhang Y, Lin G, Xue N, Wang Y, Du T, Liu H, Xiong W, Shang W, Wu H, Song L. Differential outcomes of high-fat diet on age-related rescaling of cochlear frequency place coding. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23167. [PMID: 37651093 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300457rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Auditory frequency coding is place-specific, which depends on the mechanical coupling of the basilar membrane-outer hair cell (OHC)-tectorial membrane network. Prestin-based OHC electromotility improves cochlear frequency selectivity and sensitivity. Cochlear amplification determines the frequency coding wherein discrete sound frequencies find a 'best' place along the cochlear length. Loss of OHC is the leading cause of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss and compromised speech perception. Lipid interaction with Prestin impacts OHC function. It has been established that high-fat diet (HFD) is associated with ARHL. To determine whether genetic background and metabolism preserve cochlear frequency place coding, we examined the effect of HFD in C57BL/6J (B6) and CBA/CaJ (CBA) on ARHL.We found a significant rescuing effect on ARHL in aged B6 HFD cohort. Prestin levels and cell sizes were better maintained in the experimental B6-HFD group. We also found that distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) group delay measurement was preserved, which suggested stable frequency place coding. In contrast, the response to HFD in the CBA cohort was modest with no appreciable benefit to hearing threshold. Notably, group delay was shortened with age along with the control. In addition, the frequency dependent OHC nonlinear capacitance gradient was most pronounced at young age but decreased with age. Cochlear RNA-seq analysis revealed differential TRPV1 expression and lipid homeostasis. Activation of TRPV1 and downregulation of arachidonic acid led to downregulation of inflammatory response in B6 HFD, which protects the cochlea from ARHL. The genetic background and metabolic state-derived changes in OHC morphology and function collectively contribute to a redefined cochlear frequency place coding and improved age-related pitch perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Guotong Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Xue
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Du
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shang
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- In Vitro Fertility (IVF) Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
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Kelley MW. Cochlear Development; New Tools and Approaches. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:884240. [PMID: 35813214 PMCID: PMC9260282 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.884240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The sensory epithelium of the mammalian cochlea, the organ of Corti, is comprised of at least seven unique cell types including two functionally distinct types of mechanosensory hair cells. All of the cell types within the organ of Corti are believed to develop from a population of precursor cells referred to as prosensory cells. Results from previous studies have begun to identify the developmental processes, lineage restrictions and signaling networks that mediate the specification of many of these cell types, however, the small size of the organ and the limited number of each cell type has hampered progress. Recent technical advances, in particular relating to the ability to capture and characterize gene expression at the single cell level, have opened new avenues for understanding cellular specification in the organ of Corti. This review will cover our current understanding of cellular specification in the cochlea, discuss the most commonly used methods for single cell RNA sequencing and describe how results from a recent study using single cell sequencing provided new insights regarding cellular specification.
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Prestin-Mediated Frequency Selectivity Does not Cover Ultrahigh Frequencies in Mice. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:769-784. [DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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Prestin derived OHC surface area reduction underlies age-related rescaling of frequency place coding. Hear Res 2021; 423:108406. [PMID: 34933788 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2021.108406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Outer hair cells (OHC) are key to the mammalian cochlear amplifier, powered by the lateral membrane protein Prestin. In this study, we explored age-related OHC changes and how the changes affected hearing in mouse. OHC nonlinear membrane capacitance measurements revealed that, starting upon completion of postnatal auditory development, a continuous reduction of total Prestin in OHCs accompanied by a significant reduction in their cell surface area. Prestin's density is unaffected by Prestin level drop over the whole age range tested, suggesting that the OHC size reduction is Prestin-dependent. Stereocilia length in aged OHCs remained unchanged but the first row stereocilia on the aged inner hair cells (IHCs) were elongated. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) group delays became longer with aging, suggesting an apical shift in vibration on basilar membrane. Acoustic lesion experiments revealed an apical shift in damage place in old cochleae accompanied by a shallower progression in synaptic damage over a wider frequency range that was indicative of a broader frequency filter. Overall, these findings suggest that in aging cochlea, a shift in frequency place coding could occur due to the changes in cochlear active and passive mechanics. This article is part of the Special Issue Outer hair cell Edited by Joseph Santos-Sacchi and Kumar Navaratnam.
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Abstract
Cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) are among the fastest known biological motors and are essential for high-frequency hearing in mammals. It is commonly hypothesized that OHCs amplify vibrations in the cochlea through cycle-by-cycle changes in length, but recent data suggest OHCs are low-pass filtered and unable to follow high-frequency signals. The fact that OHCs are required for high-frequency hearing but appear to be throttled by slow electromotility is the "OHC speed paradox." The present report resolves this paradox and reveals origins of ultrafast OHC function and power output in the context of the cochlear load. Results demonstrate that the speed of electromotility reflects how fast the cell can extend against the load, and does not reflect the intrinsic speed of the motor element itself or the nearly instantaneous speed at which the coulomb force is transmitted. OHC power output at auditory frequencies is revealed by emergence of an imaginary nonlinear capacitance reflecting the phase of electrical charge displacement required for the motor to overcome the viscous cochlear load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Rabbitt
- Biomedical Engineering, Otolaryngology, and Neuroscience Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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Santos-Sacchi J, Tan W. Complex nonlinear capacitance in outer hair cell macro-patches: effects of membrane tension. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6222. [PMID: 32277153 PMCID: PMC7148382 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer hair cell (OHC) nonlinear capacitance (NLC) represents voltage sensor charge movements of prestin (SLC26a5), the protein responsible for OHC electromotility. Previous measures of NLC frequency response have employed methods which did not assess the influence of dielectric loss (sensor charge movements out of phase with voltage) that may occur, and such loss conceivably may influence prestin's frequency dependent activity. Here we evaluate prestin's complex capacitance out to 30 kHz and find that prestin's frequency response determined using this approach coincides with all previous estimates. We also show that membrane tension has no effect on prestin's frequency response, despite substantial shifts in its voltage operating range, indicating that prestin transition rate alterations do not account for the shifts. The magnitude roll-off of prestin activity across frequency surpasses the reductions of NLC caused by salicylate treatments that are known to abolish cochlear amplification. Such roll-off likely limits the effectiveness of prestin in contributing to cochlear amplification at the very high acoustic frequencies processed by some mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Santos-Sacchi
- Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Winston Tan
- Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
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Zhai F, Song L, Bai JP, Dai C, Navaratnam D, Santos-Sacchi J. Maturation of Voltage-induced Shifts in SLC26a5 (Prestin) Operating Point during Trafficking and Membrane Insertion. Neuroscience 2020; 431:128-133. [PMID: 32061780 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prestin (SLC26a5) is an integral membrane motor protein in outer hair cells (OHC) that underlies cochlear amplification. As a voltage-dependent protein, it relies on intrinsic sensor charge to respond to transmembrane voltage (receptor potentials), thereby effecting conformational changes. The protein's electromechanical actively is experimentally monitored as a bell-shaped nonlinear capacitance (NLC), whose magnitude peaks at a characteristic voltage, Vh. This voltage denotes the midpoint of prestin's charge-voltage (Q-V) Boltzmann distribution and region of maximum gain of OHC electromotility. It is an important factor in hearing capabilities for mammals. A variety of biophysical forces can influence the distribution of charge, gauged by shifts in Vh, including prior holding voltage or membrane potential. Here we report that the effectiveness of prior voltage augments during the delivery of prestin to the membranes in an inducible HEK cell line. The augmentation coincides with an increase in prestin density, maturing at a characteristic membrane areal density of 870 functional prestin units per square micrometer, and is likely indicative of prestin-prestin cooperative interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhai
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jun-Ping Bai
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chunfu Dai
- Department of Otology and Skull Base Surgery, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dhasakumar Navaratnam
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joseph Santos-Sacchi
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Santos-Sacchi J, Iwasa KH, Tan W. Outer hair cell electromotility is low-pass filtered relative to the molecular conformational changes that produce nonlinear capacitance. J Gen Physiol 2019; 151:1369-1385. [PMID: 31676485 PMCID: PMC6888751 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The outer hair cell (OHC) of the organ of Corti underlies a process that enhances hearing, termed cochlear amplification. The cell possesses a unique voltage-sensing protein, prestin, that changes conformation to cause cell length changes, a process termed electromotility (eM). The prestin voltage sensor generates a capacitance that is both voltage- and frequency-dependent, peaking at a characteristic membrane voltage (Vh), which can be greater than the linear capacitance of the OHC. Accordingly, the OHC membrane time constant depends upon resting potential and the frequency of AC stimulation. The confounding influence of this multifarious time constant on eM frequency response has never been addressed. After correcting for this influence on the whole-cell voltage clamp time constant, we find that both guinea pig and mouse OHC eM is low pass, substantially attenuating in magnitude within the frequency bandwidth of human speech. The frequency response is slowest at Vh, with a cut-off, approximated by single Lorentzian fits within that bandwidth, near 1.5 kHz for the guinea pig OHC and near 4.3 kHz for the mouse OHC, each increasing in a U-shaped manner as holding voltage deviates from Vh Nonlinear capacitance (NLC) measurements follow this pattern, with cut-offs about double that for eM. Macro-patch experiments on OHC lateral membranes, where voltage delivery has high fidelity, confirms low pass roll-off for NLC. The U-shaped voltage dependence of the eM roll-off frequency is consistent with prestin's voltage-dependent transition rates. Modeling indicates that the disparity in frequency cut-offs between eM and NLC may be attributed to viscoelastic coupling between prestin's molecular conformations and nanoscale movements of the cell, possibly via the cytoskeleton, indicating that eM is limited by the OHC's internal environment, as well as the external environment. Our data suggest that the influence of OHC eM on cochlear amplification at higher frequencies needs reassessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Santos-Sacchi
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kuni H Iwasa
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Winston Tan
- Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Santos-Sacchi J, Tan W. Voltage Does Not Drive Prestin (SLC26a5) Electro-Mechanical Activity at High Frequencies Where Cochlear Amplification Is Best. iScience 2019; 22:392-399. [PMID: 31812809 PMCID: PMC6911985 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cochlear amplification denotes a boost to auditory sensitivity and selectivity that is dependent on outer hair cells from Corti's organ. Voltage-driven electromotility of the cell is believed to feed energy back into the cochlear partition via a cycle-by-cycle mechanism at very high acoustic frequencies. Here we show using wide-band macro-patch voltage-clamp to drive prestin, the molecular motor underlying electromotility, that its voltage-sensor charge movement is unusually low pass in nature, being incapable of following high-frequency voltage changes. Our data are incompatible with a cycle-by-cycle mechanism responsible for high-frequency tuning in mammals. Outer hair cells (OHC) boost auditory sensation for very high acoustic frequencies We studied the frequency response of OHC's electromechanical nonlinear capacitance The response is incommensurate with cycle-by-cycle feedback at very high frequencies OHCs likely use another mechanism to drive cochlear amplification at high frequencies
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Santos-Sacchi
- Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, BML 224, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Winston Tan
- Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, BML 224, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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