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Zhang L, Chen X, Wang X, Zhou Y, Fang Y, Gu X, Zhang Z, Sun Q, Li N, Xu L, Tan F, Chai R, Qi J. AAV-mediated Gene Cocktails Enhance Supporting Cell Reprogramming and Hair Cell Regeneration. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304551. [PMID: 38810137 PMCID: PMC11304307 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian cochlear hair cells (HCs) are essential for hearing, and damage to HCs results in severe hearing impairment. Damaged HCs can be regenerated by neighboring supporting cells (SCs), thus the functional regeneration of HCs is the main goal for the restoration of auditory function in vivo. Here, cochlear SC trans-differentiation into outer and inner HC by the induced expression of the key transcription factors Atoh1 and its co-regulators Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Six1 (GPAS), which are necessary for SCs that are destined for HC development and maturation via the AAV-ie targeting the inner ear stem cells are successfully achieved. Single-cell nuclear sequencing and lineaging tracing results showed that the majority of new Atoh1-derived HCs are in a state of initiating differentiation, while GP (Gfi1, Pou4f3) and GPS (Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Six1) enhanced the Atoh1-induced new HCs into inner and outer HCs. Moreover, the patch-clamp analysis indicated that newborn inner HCs induced by GPAS forced expression have similar electrophysiological characteristics to those of native inner HCs. Also, GPAS can induce HC regeneration in the HC-damaged mice model. In summary, the study demonstrates that AAV-mediated co-regulation of multiple genes, such as GPAS, is an effective means to achieve functional HC regeneration in the mouse cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Xinlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yinyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuan Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Xingliang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Qiuhan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Nianci Li
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryShandong Provincial ENT HospitalShandong UniversityJinan250022China
- Shandong Institute of OtorhinolaryngologyJinan250022China
| | - Fangzhi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Renjie Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Co‐Innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantong226001China
- Department of NeurologyAerospace Center HospitalSchool of Life ScienceBeijing Institute of TechnologyBeijing100081China
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgerySichuan Provincial People's HospitalSchool of MedicineUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengdu610072China
- Southeast University Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhen518063China
| | - Jieyu Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringDepartment of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryZhongda HospitalSchool of Life Sciences and TechnologySchool of MedicineAdvanced Institute for Life and HealthJiangsu Province High‐Tech Key Laboratory for Bio‐Medical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Co‐Innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantong226001China
- Department of NeurologyAerospace Center HospitalSchool of Life ScienceBeijing Institute of TechnologyBeijing100081China
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Wang T, Ling AH, Billings SE, Hosseini DK, Vaisbuch Y, Kim GS, Atkinson PJ, Sayyid ZN, Aaron KA, Wagh D, Pham N, Scheibinger M, Zhou R, Ishiyama A, Moore LS, Maria PS, Blevins NH, Jackler RK, Alyono JC, Kveton J, Navaratnam D, Heller S, Lopez IA, Grillet N, Jan TA, Cheng AG. Single-cell transcriptomic atlas reveals increased regeneration in diseased human inner ear balance organs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4833. [PMID: 38844821 PMCID: PMC11156867 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48491-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian inner ear hair cell loss leads to permanent hearing and balance dysfunction. In contrast to the cochlea, vestibular hair cells of the murine utricle have some regenerative capacity. Whether human utricular hair cells regenerate in vivo remains unknown. Here we procured live, mature utricles from organ donors and vestibular schwannoma patients, and present a validated single-cell transcriptomic atlas at unprecedented resolution. We describe markers of 13 sensory and non-sensory cell types, with partial overlap and correlation between transcriptomes of human and mouse hair cells and supporting cells. We further uncover transcriptomes unique to hair cell precursors, which are unexpectedly 14-fold more abundant in vestibular schwannoma utricles, demonstrating the existence of ongoing regeneration in humans. Lastly, supporting cell-to-hair cell trajectory analysis revealed 5 distinct patterns of dynamic gene expression and associated pathways, including Wnt and IGF-1 signaling. Our dataset constitutes a foundational resource, accessible via a web-based interface, serving to advance knowledge of the normal and diseased human inner ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410011, PR China
| | - Angela H Ling
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Sara E Billings
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Davood K Hosseini
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yona Vaisbuch
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Grace S Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Patrick J Atkinson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Zahra N Sayyid
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ksenia A Aaron
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Dhananjay Wagh
- Stanford Genomics Facility, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Nicole Pham
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mirko Scheibinger
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ruiqi Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Akira Ishiyama
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Lindsay S Moore
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Peter Santa Maria
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Nikolas H Blevins
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Robert K Jackler
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jennifer C Alyono
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - John Kveton
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Dhasakumar Navaratnam
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Stefan Heller
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Ivan A Lopez
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nicolas Grillet
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Taha A Jan
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Alan G Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Maraslioglu-Sperber A, Blanc F, Heller S. Murine cochlear damage models in the context of hair cell regeneration research. Hear Res 2024; 447:109021. [PMID: 38703432 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complex pathologies associated with hearing loss is a significant motivation for conducting inner ear research. Lifelong exposure to loud noise, ototoxic drugs, genetic diversity, sex, and aging collectively contribute to human hearing loss. Replicating this pathology in research animals is challenging because hearing impairment has varied causes and different manifestations. A central aspect, however, is the loss of sensory hair cells and the inability of the mammalian cochlea to replace them. Researching therapeutic strategies to rekindle regenerative cochlear capacity, therefore, requires the generation of animal models in which cochlear hair cells are eliminated. This review discusses different approaches to ablate cochlear hair cells in adult mice. We inventoried the cochlear cyto- and histo-pathology caused by acoustic overstimulation, systemic and locally applied drugs, and various genetic tools. The focus is not to prescribe a perfect damage model but to highlight the limitations and advantages of existing approaches and identify areas for further refinement of damage models for use in regenerative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Maraslioglu-Sperber
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Fabian Blanc
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Gui de Chauliac, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stefan Heller
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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4
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Singh J, Randle MR, Walters BJ, Cox BC. The transcription factor Pou4f3 is essential for the survival of postnatal and adult mouse cochlear hair cells and normal hearing. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1369282. [PMID: 38566840 PMCID: PMC10985149 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1369282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hair cells (HCs) of the cochlea are responsible for sound transduction and hearing perception in mammals. Genetic mutations in the transcription factor Pou4f3 cause non-syndromic autosomal dominant hearing loss in humans (DFNA15) which varies in the age of onset depending on the individual mutation. Mouse models with germline deletion or mutations in Pou4f3 have previously demonstrated its critical role in the maturation and survival of cochlear HCs during embryonic development. However, the role of Pou4f3 in auditory function and in the survival or maintenance of cochlear HCs after birth and during adulthood has not been studied. Methods Therefore, using the inducible CreER-loxP system, we deleted Pou4f3 from mouse cochlear HCs at different postnatal ages, relevant to specific stages of HC maturation and hearing function. Results and discussion Elevated auditory brainstem response thresholds and significant HC loss were detected in mice with Pou4f3 deletion compared to their control littermates, regardless of the age when Pou4f3 was deleted. However, HC loss occurred more rapidly when Pou4f3 was deleted from immature HCs. Additionally, HC loss caused by Pou4f3 deletion did not affect the number of cochlear supporting cells, but caused a delayed loss of spiral ganglion neurons at 4 months after the deletion. In conclusion, Pou4f3 is necessary for the survival of cochlear HCs and normal hearing at all postnatal ages regardless of their maturation state. Our data also suggest that Pou4f3 indirectly regulates the survival of spiral ganglion neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarnail Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Michelle R. Randle
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Bradley J. Walters
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Brandon C. Cox
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
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5
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Wang G, Gu Y, Liu Z. Deciphering the genetic interactions between Pou4f3, Gfi1, and Rbm24 in maintaining mouse cochlear hair cell survival. eLife 2024; 12:RP90025. [PMID: 38483314 PMCID: PMC10939501 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammals harbor a limited number of sound-receptor hair cells (HCs) that cannot be regenerated after damage. Thus, investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms that maintain HC survival is crucial for preventing hearing impairment. Intriguingly, Pou4f3-/- or Gfi1-/- HCs form initially but then rapidly degenerate, whereas Rbm24-/- HCs degenerate considerably later. However, the transcriptional cascades involving Pou4f3, Gfi1, and Rbm24 remain undescribed. Here, we demonstrate that Rbm24 expression is completely repressed in Pou4f3-/- HCs but unaltered in Gfi1-/- HCs, and further that the expression of both POU4F3 and GFI1 is intact in Rbm24-/- HCs. Moreover, by using in vivo mouse transgenic reporter assays, we identify three Rbm24 enhancers to which POU4F3 binds. Lastly, through in vivo genetic testing of whether Rbm24 restoration alleviates the degeneration of Pou4f3-/- HCs, we show that ectopic Rbm24 alone cannot prevent Pou4f3-/- HCs from degenerating. Collectively, our findings provide new molecular and genetic insights into how HC survival is regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangqin Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yunpeng Gu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence TechnologyShanghaiChina
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6
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Qi J, Huang W, Lu Y, Yang X, Zhou Y, Chen T, Wang X, Yu Y, Sun JQ, Chai R. Stem Cell-Based Hair Cell Regeneration and Therapy in the Inner Ear. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:113-126. [PMID: 37787875 PMCID: PMC10774470 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01130-w] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss has become increasingly prevalent and causes considerable disability, thus gravely burdening the global economy. Irreversible loss of hair cells is a main cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and currently, the only relatively effective clinical treatments are limited to digital hearing equipment like cochlear implants and hearing aids, but these are of limited benefit in patients. It is therefore urgent to understand the mechanisms of damage repair in order to develop new neuroprotective strategies. At present, how to promote the regeneration of functional hair cells is a key scientific question in the field of hearing research. Multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional factors trigger the activation of hair cell progenitors and ensure the maturation of newborn hair cells, and in this article, we first review the principal mechanisms underlying hair cell reproduction. We then further discuss therapeutic strategies involving the co-regulation of multiple signaling pathways in order to induce effective functional hair cell regeneration after degeneration, and we summarize current achievements in hair cell regeneration. Lastly, we discuss potential future approaches, such as small molecule drugs and gene therapy, which might be applied for regenerating functional hair cells in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyu Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Wenjuan Huang
- Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yicheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xuehan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yinyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Tian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xiaohan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yafeng Yu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Jia-Qiang Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
| | - Renjie Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Advanced Institute for Life and Health, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
- Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China.
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7
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Lee SY, Kim MY, Han JH, Park SS, Yun Y, Jee SC, Han JJ, Lee JH, Seok H, Choi BY. Ramifications of POU4F3 variants associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss in various molecular aspects. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12584. [PMID: 37537203 PMCID: PMC10400627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38272-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
POU4F3, a member of the POU family of transcription factors, commonly causes autosomal dominant deafness. Exome sequencing was used to identify four novel variants in POU4F3 (NM_002700.2), including c.564dupA: p.Ala189SerfsTer26, c.743T > C:p.Leu248Pro, c.879C > A:p.Phe293Leu, and c.952G > A:p.Val318Met, and diverse aspects of the molecular consequences of their protein expression, stability, subcellular localization, and transcriptional activity were investigated. The expression of three mutant proteins, encoded by missense variants, was reduced compared to the wild-type protein, demonstrating that the mutants were unstable and vulnerable to degradation. Additionally, all the mutant proteins had distinct subcellular localization patterns. A mutant protein carrying p.Ala189SerfsTer26, in which both mono- and bi-partite nuclear localization signals were disrupted, showed abnormal subcellular localization. Resultantly, all the mutant proteins significantly reduced the transcriptional activity required to regulate the downstream target gene expression. Furthermore, we identified the altered expression of 14 downstream target genes associated with inner ear development using patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines. There was a significant correlation of the expression profile between patient-derived cells and the cochlear hair cells, which provided a breakthrough for cases where the collection of human cochlear samples for transcriptome studies was unfeasible. This study expanded the genotypic spectrum of POU4F3 in DFNA15, and further refined the molecular mechanisms underlying POU4F3-associated DFNA15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Yeon Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Young Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hee Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Soo Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Yun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Cheol Jee
- Department of Transdisciplinary Research and Collaboration, Genomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Joon Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoung Seok
- Department of Transdisciplinary Research and Collaboration, Genomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung Yoon Choi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea.
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Moore ST, Nakamura T, Nie J, Solivais AJ, Aristizábal-Ramírez I, Ueda Y, Manikandan M, Reddy VS, Romano DR, Hoffman JR, Perrin BJ, Nelson RF, Frolenkov GI, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Hashino E. Generating high-fidelity cochlear organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:950-961.e7. [PMID: 37419105 PMCID: PMC10695300 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensitive hair cells in the cochlea are responsible for hearing but are vulnerable to damage by genetic mutations and environmental insults. The paucity of human cochlear tissues makes it difficult to study cochlear hair cells. Organoids offer a compelling platform to study scarce tissues in vitro; however, derivation of cochlear cell types has proven non-trivial. Here, using 3D cultures of human pluripotent stem cells, we sought to replicate key differentiation cues of cochlear specification. We found that timed modulations of Sonic Hedgehog and WNT signaling promote ventral gene expression in otic progenitors. Ventralized otic progenitors subsequently give rise to elaborately patterned epithelia containing hair cells with morphology, marker expression, and functional properties consistent with both outer and inner hair cells in the cochlea. These results suggest that early morphogenic cues are sufficient to drive cochlear induction and establish an unprecedented system to model the human auditory organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Moore
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jing Nie
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Alexander J Solivais
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | | | - Yoshitomo Ueda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mayakannan Manikandan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - V Shweta Reddy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Daniel R Romano
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - John R Hoffman
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Benjamin J Perrin
- Department of Biology, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Rick F Nelson
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | | | | | - Eri Hashino
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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9
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Fritzsch B, Schultze HP, Elliott KL. The evolution of the various structures required for hearing in Latimeria and tetrapods. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:325-341. [PMID: 37006720 PMCID: PMC10063410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcopterygians evolved around 415 Ma and have developed a unique set of features, including the basilar papilla and the cochlear aqueduct of the inner ear. We provide an overview that shows the morphological integration of the various parts needed for hearing, e.g., basilar papilla, tectorial membrane, cochlear aqueduct, lungs, and tympanic membranes. The lagena of the inner ear evolved from a common macula of the saccule several times. It is near this lagena where the basilar papilla forms in Latimeria and tetrapods. The basilar papilla is lost in lungfish, certain caecilians and salamanders, but is transformed into the cochlea of mammals. Hearing in bony fish and tetrapods involves particle motion to improve sound pressure reception within the ear but also works without air. Lungs evolved after the chondrichthyans diverged and are present in sarcopterygians and actinopterygians. Lungs open to the outside in tetraposomorph sarcopterygians but are transformed from a lung into a swim bladder in ray-finned fishes. Elasmobranchs, polypterids, and many fossil fishes have open spiracles. In Latimeria, most frogs, and all amniotes, a tympanic membrane covering the spiracle evolved independently. The tympanic membrane is displaced by pressure changes and enabled tetrapods to perceive airborne sound pressure waves. The hyomandibular bone is associated with the spiracle/tympanic membrane in actinopterygians and piscine sarcopterygians. In tetrapods, it transforms into the stapes that connects the oval window of the inner ear with the tympanic membrane and allows hearing at higher frequencies by providing an impedance matching and amplification mechanism. The three characters-basilar papilla, cochlear aqueduct, and tympanic membrane-are fluid related elements in sarcopterygians, which interact with a set of unique features in Latimeria. Finally, we explore the possible interaction between the unique intracranial joint, basicranial muscle, and an enlarged notochord that allows fluid flow to the foramen magnum and the cochlear aqueduct which houses a comparatively small brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology & Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, IA, USA
- Correspondence to: Department of Biology & Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
| | | | - Karen L. Elliott
- Department of Biology & Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, IA, USA
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10
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Reagor CC, Velez-Angel N, Hudspeth AJ. Depicting pseudotime-lagged causality across single-cell trajectories for accurate gene-regulatory inference. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad113. [PMID: 37113980 PMCID: PMC10129065 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the causal interactions in gene-regulatory networks requires an accurate understanding of the time-lagged relationships between transcription factors and their target genes. Here we describe DELAY (short for Depicting Lagged Causality), a convolutional neural network for the inference of gene-regulatory relationships across pseudotime-ordered single-cell trajectories. We show that combining supervised deep learning with joint probability matrices of pseudotime-lagged trajectories allows the network to overcome important limitations of ordinary Granger causality-based methods, for example, the inability to infer cyclic relationships such as feedback loops. Our network outperforms several common methods for inferring gene regulation and, when given partial ground-truth labels, predicts novel regulatory networks from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell ATAC sequencing (scATAC-seq) data sets. To validate this approach, we used DELAY to identify important genes and modules in the regulatory network of auditory hair cells, as well as likely DNA-binding partners for two hair cell cofactors (Hist1h1c and Ccnd1) and a novel binding sequence for the hair cell-specific transcription factor Fiz1. We provide an easy-to-use implementation of DELAY under an open-source license at https://github.com/calebclayreagor/DELAY.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Velez-Angel
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Laboratory of Sensory Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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11
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Future Pharmacotherapy for Sensorineural Hearing Loss by Protection and Regeneration of Auditory Hair Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030777. [PMID: 36986638 PMCID: PMC10054686 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss has been a global burden of diseases for decades. However, according to recent progress in experimental studies on hair cell regeneration and protection, clinical trials of pharmacotherapy for sensorineural hearing loss have rapidly progressed. In this review, we focus on recent clinical trials for hair cell protection and regeneration and outline mechanisms based on associated experimental studies. Outcomes of recent clinical trials provided valuable data regarding the safety and tolerability of intra-cochlear and intra-tympanic applications as drug delivery methods. Recent findings in molecular mechanisms of hair cell regeneration suggested the realization of regenerative medicine for sensorineural hearing loss in the near future.
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12
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Wang J, Zheng J, Wang H, He H, Li S, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Xu X, Wang S. Gene therapy: an emerging therapy for hair cells regeneration in the cochlea. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1177791. [PMID: 37207182 PMCID: PMC10188948 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1177791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensorineural hearing loss is typically caused by damage to the cochlear hair cells (HCs) due to external stimuli or because of one's genetic factors and the inability to convert sound mechanical energy into nerve impulses. Adult mammalian cochlear HCs cannot regenerate spontaneously; therefore, this type of deafness is usually considered irreversible. Studies on the developmental mechanisms of HC differentiation have revealed that nonsensory cells in the cochlea acquire the ability to differentiate into HCs after the overexpression of specific genes, such as Atoh1, which makes HC regeneration possible. Gene therapy, through in vitro selection and editing of target genes, transforms exogenous gene fragments into target cells and alters the expression of genes in target cells to activate the corresponding differentiation developmental program in target cells. This review summarizes the genes that have been associated with the growth and development of cochlear HCs in recent years and provides an overview of gene therapy approaches in the field of HC regeneration. It concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the current therapeutic approaches to facilitate the early implementation of this therapy in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianwei Zheng
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Haoying He
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - You Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- *Correspondence: You Wang,
| | - Xiaoxiang Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Xiaoxiang Xu,
| | - Shuyi Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Shuyi Wang,
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13
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Iyer AA, Hosamani I, Nguyen JD, Cai T, Singh S, McGovern MM, Beyer L, Zhang H, Jen HI, Yousaf R, Birol O, Sun JJ, Ray RS, Raphael Y, Segil N, Groves AK. Cellular reprogramming with ATOH1, GFI1, and POU4F3 implicate epigenetic changes and cell-cell signaling as obstacles to hair cell regeneration in mature mammals. eLife 2022; 11:e79712. [PMID: 36445327 PMCID: PMC9708077 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of the cochlea with hair-cell-specific transcription factors such as ATOH1 has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for hearing loss. ATOH1 expression in the developing cochlea can efficiently induce hair cell regeneration but the efficiency of hair cell reprogramming declines rapidly as the cochlea matures. We developed Cre-inducible mice to compare hair cell reprogramming with ATOH1 alone or in combination with two other hair cell transcription factors, GFI1 and POU4F3. In newborn mice, all transcription factor combinations tested produced large numbers of cells with the morphology of hair cells and rudimentary mechanotransduction properties. However, 1 week later, only a combination of ATOH1, GFI1 and POU4F3 could reprogram non-sensory cells of the cochlea to a hair cell fate, and these new cells were less mature than cells generated by reprogramming 1 week earlier. We used scRNA-seq and combined scRNA-seq and ATAC-seq to suggest at least two impediments to hair cell reprogramming in older animals. First, hair cell gene loci become less epigenetically accessible in non-sensory cells of the cochlea with increasing age. Second, signaling from hair cells to supporting cells, including Notch signaling, can prevent reprogramming of many supporting cells to hair cells, even with three hair cell transcription factors. Our results shed light on the molecular barriers that must be overcome to promote hair cell regeneration in the adult cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita A Iyer
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Ishwar Hosamani
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - John D Nguyen
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at USCLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Tiantian Cai
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Sunita Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Melissa M McGovern
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Lisa Beyer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Hongyuan Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Hsin-I Jen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Rizwan Yousaf
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Onur Birol
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jenny J Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Russell S Ray
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Yehoash Raphael
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Neil Segil
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at USCLos AngelesUnited States
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Andrew K Groves
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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14
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Costa A, Powell LM, Malaguti M, Soufi A, Lowell S, Jarman AP. Repurposing the lineage-determining transcription factor Atoh1 without redistributing its genomic binding sites. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1016367. [PMID: 36420143 PMCID: PMC9676683 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1016367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the lineage-determining ability of transcription factors is often modulated according to cellular context, the mechanisms by which such switching occurs are not well known. Using a transcriptional programming model, we found that Atoh1 is repurposed from a neuronal to an inner ear hair cell (HC) determinant by the combined activities of Gfi1 and Pou4f3. In this process, Atoh1 maintains its regulation of neuronal genes but gains ability to regulate HC genes. Pou4f3 enables Atoh1 access to genomic locations controlling the expression of sensory (including HC) genes, but Atoh1 + Pou4f3 are not sufficient for HC differentiation. Gfi1 is key to the Atoh1-induced lineage switch, but surprisingly does not alter Atoh1's binding profile. Gfi1 acts in two divergent ways. It represses the induction by Atoh1 of genes that antagonise HC differentiation, a function in keeping with its well-known repressor role in haematopoiesis. Remarkably, we find that Gfi1 also acts as a co-activator: it binds directly to Atoh1 at existing target genes to enhance its activity. These findings highlight the diversity of mechanisms by which one TF can redirect the activity of another to enable combinatorial control of cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Costa
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn M. Powell
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Abdenour Soufi
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Lowell
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew P. Jarman
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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15
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Glover JC, Fritzsch B. Molecular mechanisms governing development of the hindbrain choroid plexus and auditory projection: A validation of the seminal observations of Wilhelm His. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:306-313. [PMID: 36247525 PMCID: PMC9561746 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies by His from 1868 to 1904 delineated the critical role of the dorsal roof plate in the development of the hindbrain choroid plexus, and of the rhombic lips in the development of hindbrain auditory centers. Modern molecular studies have confirmed these observations and placed them in a mechanistic context. Expression of the transcription factor Lmx1a/b is crucial to the development of the hindbrain choroid plexus, and also regulates the expression of Atoh1, a transcription factor that is essential for the formation of the cochlear hair cells and auditory nuclei. By contrast, development of the vestibular hair cells, vestibular ganglion and vestibular nuclei does not depend on Lmx1a/b. These findings demonstrate a common dependence on a specific gene for the hindbrain choroid plexus and the primary auditory projection from hair cells to sensory neurons to hindbrain nuclei. Thus, His' conclusions regarding the origins of specific hindbrain structures are borne out by molecular genetic experiments conducted more than a hundred years later.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel C. Glover
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
- Corresponding author.
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16
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Fritzsch B, Elliott KL, Yamoah EN. Neurosensory development of the four brainstem-projecting sensory systems and their integration in the telencephalon. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:913480. [PMID: 36213204 PMCID: PMC9539932 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.913480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatosensory, taste, vestibular, and auditory information is first processed in the brainstem. From the brainstem, the respective information is relayed to specific regions within the cortex, where these inputs are further processed and integrated with other sensory systems to provide a comprehensive sensory experience. We provide the organization, genetics, and various neuronal connections of four sensory systems: trigeminal, taste, vestibular, and auditory systems. The development of trigeminal fibers is comparable to many sensory systems, for they project mostly contralaterally from the brainstem or spinal cord to the telencephalon. Taste bud information is primarily projected ipsilaterally through the thalamus to reach the insula. The vestibular fibers develop bilateral connections that eventually reach multiple areas of the cortex to provide a complex map. The auditory fibers project in a tonotopic contour to the auditory cortex. The spatial and tonotopic organization of trigeminal and auditory neuron projections are distinct from the taste and vestibular systems. The individual sensory projections within the cortex provide multi-sensory integration in the telencephalon that depends on context-dependent tertiary connections to integrate other cortical sensory systems across the four modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: Bernd Fritzsch,
| | - Karen L. Elliott
- Department of Biology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Ebenezer N. Yamoah
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
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17
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Abstract
Current estimates suggest that nearly half a billion people worldwide are affected by hearing loss. Because of the major psychological, social, economic, and health ramifications, considerable efforts have been invested in identifying the genes and molecular pathways involved in hearing loss, whether genetic or environmental, to promote prevention, improve rehabilitation, and develop therapeutics. Genomic sequencing technologies have led to the discovery of genes associated with hearing loss. Studies of the transcriptome and epigenome of the inner ear have characterized key regulators and pathways involved in the development of the inner ear and have paved the way for their use in regenerative medicine. In parallel, the immense preclinical success of using viral vectors for gene delivery in animal models of hearing loss has motivated the industry to work on translating such approaches into the clinic. Here, we review the recent advances in the genomics of auditory function and dysfunction, from patient diagnostics to epigenetics and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Taiber
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; ,
| | - Kathleen Gwilliam
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; ,
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; ,
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Karen B Avraham
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; ,
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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18
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Abstract
Cochlear hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear are responsible for sound detection. For HC fate specification, the master transcription factor Atoh1 is both necessary and sufficient. Atoh1 expression is dynamic and tightly regulated during development, but the cis-regulatory elements mediating this regulation remain unresolved. Unexpectedly, we found that deleting the only recognized Atoh1 enhancer, defined here as Eh1, failed to impair HC development. By using the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq), we discovered two additional Atoh1 enhancers: Eh2 and Eh3. Notably, Eh2 deletion was sufficient for impairing HC development, and concurrent deletion of Eh1 and Eh2 or all three enhancers resulted in nearly complete absence of HCs. Lastly, we showed that Atoh1 binds to all three enhancers, consistent with its autoregulatory function. Our findings reveal that the cooperative action of three distinct enhancers underpins effective Atoh1 regulation during HC development, indicating potential therapeutic approaches for HC regeneration.
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19
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Saeki T, Yoshimatsu S, Ishikawa M, Hon CC, Koya I, Shibata S, Hosoya M, Saegusa C, Ogawa K, Shin JW, Fujioka M, Okano H. Critical roles of FGF, RA, and WNT signalling in the development of the human otic placode and subsequent lineages in a dish. Regen Ther 2022; 20:165-186. [PMID: 35620640 PMCID: PMC9114627 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Efficient induction of the otic placode, the developmental origin of the inner ear from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), provides a robust platform for otic development and sensorineural hearing loss modelling. Nevertheless, there remains a limited capacity of otic lineage specification from hPSCs by stepwise differentiation methods, since the critical factors for successful otic cell differentiation have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we developed a novel differentiation system involving the use of a three-dimensional (3D) floating culture with signalling factors for generating otic cell lineages via stepwise differentiation of hPSCs. Methods We differentiated hPSCs into preplacodal cells under a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture. Then, we transferred the induced preplacodal cells into a 3D floating culture under the control of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF), bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), retinoic acid (RA) and WNT signalling pathways. We evaluated the characteristics of the induced cells using immunocytochemistry, quantitative PCR (qPCR), population averaging, and single-cell RNA-seq (RNA-seq) analysis. We further investigated the methods for differentiating otic progenitors towards hair cells by overexpression of defined transcription factors. Results We demonstrated that hPSC-derived preplacodal cells acquired the potential to differentiate into posterior placodal cells in 3D floating culture with FGF2 and RA. Subsequent activation of WNT signalling induced otic placodal cell formation. By single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis, we identified multiple clusters of otic placode- and otocyst marker-positive cells in the induced spheres. Moreover, the induced otic cells showed the potential to generate hair cell-like cells by overexpression of the transcription factors ATOH1, POU4F3 and GFI1. Conclusions We demonstrated the critical role of FGF2, RA and WNT signalling in a 3D environment for the in vitro differentiation of otic lineage cells from hPSCs. The induced otic cells had the capacity to differentiate into inner ear hair cells with stereociliary bundles and tip link-like structures. The protocol will be useful for in vitro disease modelling of sensorineural hearing loss and human inner ear development and thus contribute to drug screening and stem cell-based regenerative medicine. A 3D floating culture condition is critical for inducing otic placodal cells from hPSCs-derived preplacodal cells. Activation of FGF, RA, WNT signalling pathways is indispensable for differentiating otic lineage under the 3D condition. Overexpression of defined transcription factors facilitated the generation of hair cells from hPSCs-derived otic cells.
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20
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MicroRNA Signature and Cellular Characterization of Undifferentiated and Differentiated House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) Cells. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2022; 23:467-489. [PMID: 35546217 PMCID: PMC9094604 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-022-00850-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expressions and control a wide variety of cellular functions. House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells are widely used to screen ototoxic drugs and to investigate cellular and genetic alterations in response to various conditions. HEI-OC1 cells are almost exclusively studied under permissive conditions that promote cell replication at the expense of differentiation. Many researchers suggest that permissive culture condition findings are relevant to understanding human hearing disorders. The mature human cochlea however consists of differentiated cells and lacks proliferative capacity. This study therefore aimed to compare the miRNA profiles and cellular characteristics of HEI-OC1 cells cultured under permissive (P-HEI-OC1) and non-permissive (NP-HEI-OC1) conditions. A significant increase in the level of expression of tubulin β1 class VI (Tubb1), e-cadherin (Cdh1), espin (Espn), and SRY (sex determining region Y)-box2 (Sox2) mRNAs was identified in non-permissive cells compared with permissive cells (P < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis H test, 2-sided). miR-200 family, miR-34b/c, and miR-449a/b functionally related cluster miRNAs, rodent-specific maternally imprinted gene Sfmbt2 intron 10th cluster miRNAs (-466a/ -467a), and miR-17 family were significantly (P < 0.05, Welch’s t-test, 2-tailed) differentially expressed in non-permissive cells when compared with permissive cells. Putative target genes were significantly predominantly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), epidermal growth factor family of receptor tyrosine kinases (ErbB), and Ras signaling pathways in non-permissive cells compared with permissive cells. This distinct miRNA signature of differentiated HEI-OC1 cells could help in understanding miRNA-mediated cellular responses in the adult cochlea.
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21
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Norrie disease protein is essential for cochlear hair cell maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106369118. [PMID: 34544869 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106369118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene for Norrie disease protein (Ndp) cause syndromic deafness and blindness. We show here that cochlear function in an Ndp knockout mouse deteriorated with age: At P3-P4, hair cells (HCs) showed progressive loss of Pou4f3 and Gfi1, key transcription factors for HC maturation, and Myo7a, a specialized myosin required for normal function of HC stereocilia. Loss of expression of these genes correlated to increasing HC loss and profound hearing loss by 2 mo. We show that overexpression of the Ndp gene in neonatal supporting cells or, remarkably, up-regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in HCs rescued HCs and cochlear function. We conclude that Ndp secreted from supporting cells orchestrates a transcriptional network for the maintenance and survival of HCs and that increasing the level of β-catenin, the intracellular effector of Wnt signaling, is sufficient to replace the functional requirement for Ndp in the cochlea.
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Fritzsch B. An Integrated Perspective of Evolution and Development: From Genes to Function to Ear, Lateral Line and Electroreception. DIVERSITY 2021; 13:364. [PMID: 35505776 PMCID: PMC9060560 DOI: 10.3390/d13080364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Four sensory systems (vestibular, lateral line, electroreception, auditory) are unique and project exclusively to the brainstem of vertebrates. All sensory neurons depend on a common set of genes (Eya1, Sox2, Neurog1, Neurod1) that project to a dorsal nucleus and an intermediate nucleus, which differentiate into the vestibular ear, lateral line and electroreception in vertebrates. In tetrapods, a loss of two sensory systems (lateral line, electroreception) leads to the development of a unique ear and auditory system in amniotes. Lmx1a/b, Gdf7, Wnt1/3a, BMP4/7 and Atoh1 define the lateral line, electroreception and auditory nuclei. In contrast, vestibular nuclei depend on Neurog1/2, Ascl1, Ptf1a and Olig3, among others, to develop an independent origin of the vestibular nuclei. A common origin of hair cells depends on Eya1, Sox2 and Atoh1, which generate the mechanosensory cells. Several proteins define the polarity of hair cells in the ear and lateral line. A unique connection of stereocilia requires CDH23 and PCDH15 for connections and TMC1/2 proteins to perceive mechanosensory input. Electroreception has no polarity, and a different system is used to drive electroreceptors. All hair cells function by excitation via ribbons to activate neurons that innervate the distinct target areas. An integrated perspective is presented to understand the gain and loss of different sensory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology & Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Yu HV, Tao L, Llamas J, Wang X, Nguyen JD, Trecek T, Segil N. POU4F3 pioneer activity enables ATOH1 to drive diverse mechanoreceptor differentiation through a feed-forward epigenetic mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2105137118. [PMID: 34266958 PMCID: PMC8307294 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105137118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development, hierarchical cascades of transcription factors interact with lineage-specific chromatin structures to control the sequential steps in the differentiation of specialized cell types. While examples of transcription factor cascades have been well documented, the mechanisms underlying developmental changes in accessibility of cell type-specific enhancers remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcriptional "master regulator" ATOH1-which is necessary for the differentiation of two distinct mechanoreceptor cell types, hair cells in the inner ear and Merkel cells of the epidermis-is unable to access much of its target enhancer network in the progenitor populations of either cell type when it first appears, imposing a block to further differentiation. This block is overcome by a feed-forward mechanism in which ATOH1 first stimulates expression of POU4F3, which subsequently acts as a pioneer factor to provide access to closed ATOH1 enhancers, allowing hair cell and Merkel cell differentiation to proceed. Our analysis also indicates the presence of both shared and divergent ATOH1/POU4F3-dependent enhancer networks in hair cells and Merkel cells. These cells share a deep developmental lineage relationship, deriving from their common epidermal origin, and suggesting that this feed-forward mechanism preceded the evolutionary divergence of these very different mechanoreceptive cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoze V Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Litao Tao
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Juan Llamas
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Xizi Wang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - John D Nguyen
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Talon Trecek
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
| | - Neil Segil
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033;
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
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The transcription factors GFI1 and GFI1B as modulators of the innate and acquired immune response. Adv Immunol 2021; 149:35-94. [PMID: 33993920 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
GFI1 and GFI1B are small nuclear proteins of 45 and 37kDa, respectively, that have a simple two-domain structure: The first consists of a group of six c-terminal C2H2 zinc finger motifs that are almost identical in sequence and bind to very similar, specific DNA sites. The second is an N-terminal 20 amino acid SNAG domain that can bind to the pocket of the histone demethylase KDM1A (LSD1) near its active site. When bound to DNA, both proteins act as bridging factors that bring LSD1 and associated proteins into the vicinity of methylated substrates, in particular histone H3 or TP53. GFI1 can also bring methyl transferases such as PRMT1 together with its substrates that include the DNA repair proteins MRE11 and 53BP1, thereby enabling their methylation and activation. While GFI1B is expressed almost exclusively in the erythroid and megakaryocytic lineage, GFI1 has clear biological roles in the development and differentiation of lymphoid and myeloid immune cells. GFI1 is required for lymphoid/myeloid and monocyte/granulocyte lineage decision as well as the correct nuclear interpretation of a number of important immune-signaling pathways that are initiated by NOTCH1, interleukins such as IL2, IL4, IL5 or IL7, by the pre TCR or -BCR receptors during early lymphoid differentiation or by T and B cell receptors during activation of lymphoid cells. Myeloid cells also depend on GFI1 at both stages of early differentiation as well as later stages in the process of activation of macrophages through Toll-like receptors in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The knowledge gathered on these factors over the last decades puts GFI1 and GFI1B at the center of many biological processes that are critical for both the innate and acquired immune system.
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Chen Y, Gu Y, Li Y, Li GL, Chai R, Li W, Li H. Generation of mature and functional hair cells by co-expression of Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Atoh1 in the postnatal mouse cochlea. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109016. [PMID: 33882317 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian cochlea cannot regenerate functional hair cells (HCs) spontaneously. Atoh1 overexpression as well as other strategies are unable to generate functional HCs. Here, we simultaneously upregulated the expression of Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Atoh1 in postnatal cochlear supporting cells (SCs) in vivo, which efficiently converted SCs into HCs. The newly regenerated HCs expressed HC markers Myo7a, Calbindin, Parvalbumin, and Ctbp2 and were innervated by neurites. Importantly, many new HCs expressed the mature and terminal marker Prestin or vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (vGlut3), depending on the subtypes of the source SCs. Finally, our patch-clamp analysis showed that the new HCs in the medial region acquired a large K+ current, fired spikes transiently, and exhibited signature refinement of ribbon synapse functions, in close resemblance to native wild-type inner HCs. We demonstrated that co-upregulating Gfi1, Pou4f3, and Atoh1 enhances the efficiency of HC generation and promotes the functional maturation of new HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yuyan Gu
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yige Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Geng-Lin Li
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Renjie Chai
- MOE Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.
| | - Wenyan Li
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Huawei Li
- ENT institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai 200031, China; The Institutes of Brain Science and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Iyer AA, Groves AK. Transcription Factor Reprogramming in the Inner Ear: Turning on Cell Fate Switches to Regenerate Sensory Hair Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:660748. [PMID: 33854418 PMCID: PMC8039129 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.660748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-mammalian vertebrates can restore their auditory and vestibular hair cells naturally by triggering the regeneration of adjacent supporting cells. The transcription factor ATOH1 is a key regulator of hair cell development and regeneration in the inner ear. Following the death of hair cells, supporting cells upregulate ATOH1 and give rise to new hair cells. However, in the mature mammalian cochlea, such natural regeneration of hair cells is largely absent. Transcription factor reprogramming has been used in many tissues to convert one cell type into another, with the long-term hope of achieving tissue regeneration. Reprogramming transcription factors work by altering the transcriptomic and epigenetic landscapes in a target cell, resulting in a fate change to the desired cell type. Several studies have shown that ATOH1 is capable of reprogramming cochlear non-sensory tissue into cells resembling hair cells in young animals. However, the reprogramming ability of ATOH1 is lost with age, implying that the potency of individual hair cell-specific transcription factors may be reduced or lost over time by mechanisms that are still not clear. To circumvent this, combinations of key hair cell transcription factors have been used to promote hair cell regeneration in older animals. In this review, we summarize recent findings that have identified and studied these reprogramming factor combinations for hair cell regeneration. Finally, we discuss the important questions that emerge from these findings, particularly the feasibility of therapeutic strategies using reprogramming factors to restore human hearing in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita A. Iyer
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Genetics & Genomics, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew K. Groves
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Genetics & Genomics, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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27
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Roccio M. Directed differentiation and direct reprogramming: Applying stem cell technologies to hearing research. Stem Cells 2020; 39:375-388. [PMID: 33378797 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most widely spread sensory disorder in our society. In the majority of cases, it is caused by the loss or malfunctioning of cells in the cochlea: the mechanosensory hair cells, which act as primary sound receptors, and the connecting auditory neurons of the spiral ganglion, which relay the signal to upper brain centers. In contrast to other vertebrates, where damage to the hearing organ can be repaired through the activity of resident cells, acting as tissue progenitors, in mammals, sensory cell damage or loss is irreversible. The understanding of gene and cellular functions, through analysis of different animal models, has helped to identify causes of disease and possible targets for hearing restoration. Translation of these findings to novel therapeutics is, however, hindered by the lack of cellular assays, based on human sensory cells, to evaluate the conservation of molecular pathways across species and the efficacy of novel therapeutic strategies. In the last decade, stem cell technologies enabled to generate human sensory cell types in vitro, providing novel tools to study human inner ear biology, model disease, and validate therapeutics. This review focuses specifically on two technologies: directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of somatic cell types to sensory hair cells and neurons. Recent development in the field are discussed as well as how these tools could be implemented to become routinely adopted experimental models for hearing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Roccio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), and University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
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28
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Lee S, Song JJ, Beyer LA, Swiderski DL, Prieskorn DM, Acar M, Jen HI, Groves AK, Raphael Y. Combinatorial Atoh1 and Gfi1 induction enhances hair cell regeneration in the adult cochlea. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21397. [PMID: 33293609 PMCID: PMC7722738 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78167-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature mammalian cochlear hair cells (HCs) do not spontaneously regenerate once lost, leading to life-long hearing deficits. Attempts to induce HC regeneration in adult mammals have used over-expression of the HC-specific transcription factor Atoh1, but to date this approach has yielded low and variable efficiency of HC production. Gfi1 is a transcription factor important for HC development and survival. We evaluated the combinatorial effects of Atoh1 and Gfi1 over-expression on HC regeneration using gene transfer methods in neonatal cochlear explants, and in vivo in adult mice. Adenoviral over-expression of Atoh1 and Gfi1 in cultured neonatal cochlear explants resulted in numerous ectopic HC-like cells (HCLCs), with significantly more cells in Atoh1 + Gfi1 cultures than Atoh1 alone. In vitro, ectopic HCLCs emerged in regions medial to inner HCs as well as in the stria vascularis. In vivo experiments were performed in mature Pou4f3DTR mice in which HCs were completely and specifically ablated by administration of diphtheria toxin. Adenoviral expression of Atoh1 or Atoh1 + Gfi1 in cochlear supporting cells induced appearance of HCLCs, with Atoh1 + Gfi1 expression leading to 6.2-fold increase of new HCLCs after 4 weeks compared to Atoh1 alone. New HCLCs were detected throughout the cochlea, exhibited immature stereocilia and survived for at least 8 weeks. Combinatorial Atoh1 and Gfi1 induction is thus a promising strategy to promote HC regeneration in the mature mammalian cochlea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungsu Lee
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Song
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Lisa A Beyer
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Donald L Swiderski
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Diane M Prieskorn
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Melih Acar
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hsin-I Jen
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew K Groves
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | - Yehoash Raphael
- Kresge Hearing Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Beauchemin H, Möröy T. Multifaceted Actions of GFI1 and GFI1B in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Lineage Commitment. Front Genet 2020; 11:591099. [PMID: 33193732 PMCID: PMC7649360 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.591099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth factor independence 1 (GFI1) and the closely related protein GFI1B are small nuclear proteins that act as DNA binding transcriptional repressors. Both recognize the same consensus DNA binding motif via their C-terminal zinc finger domains and regulate the expression of their target genes by recruiting chromatin modifiers such as histone deacetylases (HDACs) and demethylases (LSD1) by using an N-terminal SNAG domain that comprises only 20 amino acids. The only region that is different between both proteins is the region that separates the zinc finger domains and the SNAG domain. Both proteins are co-expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and, to some extent, in multipotent progenitors (MPPs), but expression is specified as soon as early progenitors and show signs of lineage bias. While expression of GFI1 is maintained in lymphoid primed multipotent progenitors (LMPPs) that have the potential to differentiate into both myeloid and lymphoid cells, GFI1B expression is no longer detectable in these cells. By contrast, GFI1 expression is lost in megakaryocyte precursors (MKPs) and in megakaryocyte-erythrocyte progenitors (MEPs), which maintain a high level of GFI1B expression. Consequently, GFI1 drives myeloid and lymphoid differentiation and GFI1B drives the development of megakaryocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes. How such complementary cell type- and lineage-specific functions of GFI1 and GFI1B are maintained is still an unresolved question in particular since they share an almost identical structure and very similar biochemical modes of actions. The cell type-specific accessibility of GFI1/1B binding sites may explain the fact that very similar transcription factors can be responsible for very different transcriptional programming. An additional explanation comes from recent data showing that both proteins may have additional non-transcriptional functions. GFI1 interacts with a number of proteins involved in DNA repair and lack of GFI1 renders HSCs highly susceptible to DNA damage-induced death and restricts their proliferation. In contrast, GFI1B binds to proteins of the beta-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway and lack of GFI1B leads to an expansion of HSCs and MKPs, illustrating the different impact that GFI1 or GFI1B has on HSCs. In addition, GFI1 and GFI1B are required for endothelial cells to become the first blood cells during early murine development and are among those transcription factors needed to convert adult endothelial cells or fibroblasts into HSCs. This role of GFI1 and GFI1B bears high significance for the ongoing effort to generate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells de novo for the autologous treatment of blood disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarik Möröy
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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30
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Yu R, Wang P, Chen XW. The role of gfi1.2 in the development of zebrafish inner ear. Hear Res 2020; 396:108055. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2020.108055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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31
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Zhu GJ, Gong S, Ma DB, Tao T, He WQ, Zhang L, Wang F, Qian XY, Zhou H, Fan C, Wang P, Chen X, Zhao W, Sun J, Chen H, Wang Y, Gao X, Zuo J, Zhu MS, Gao X, Wan G. Aldh inhibitor restores auditory function in a mouse model of human deafness. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009040. [PMID: 32970669 PMCID: PMC7553308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic hearing loss is a common health problem with no effective therapy currently available. DFNA15, caused by mutations of the transcription factor POU4F3, is one of the most common forms of autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. In this study, we established a novel mouse model of the human DFNA15 deafness, with a Pou4f3 gene mutation (Pou4f3Δ) identical to that found in a familial case of DFNA15. The Pou4f3(Δ/+) mice suffered progressive deafness in a similar manner to the DFNA15 patients. Hair cells in the Pou4f3(Δ/+) cochlea displayed significant stereociliary and mitochondrial pathologies, with apparent loss of outer hair cells. Progression of hearing and outer hair cell loss of the Pou4f3(Δ/+) mice was significantly modified by other genetic and environmental factors. Using Pou4f3(-/+) heterozygous knockout mice, we also showed that DFNA15 is likely caused by haploinsufficiency of the Pou4f3 gene. Importantly, inhibition of retinoic acid signaling by the aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh) and retinoic acid receptor inhibitors promoted Pou4f3 expression in the cochlear tissue and suppressed the progression of hearing loss in the mutant mice. These data demonstrate Pou4f3 haploinsufficiency as the main underlying cause of human DFNA15 deafness and highlight the therapeutic potential of Aldh inhibitors for treatment of progressive hearing loss. More than 50% of deafness cases are due to genetic defects with no treatment available. DFNA15, caused by mutations of the transcription factor POU4F3, is one of the most common types of autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. Here, we established a novel mouse model with the exact Pou4f3 mutation identified in human patients. The mutant mouse display similar auditory pathophysiology as human patients and exhibit multiple hair cell abnormalities. The onset and severity of hearing loss in the mouse model is highly modifiable to environmental factors, such as aging, noise exposure or genetic backgrounds. Using a new knockout mouse model, we found Pou4f3 haploinsufficiency as the underlying mechanism of human DFNA15. Importantly, we identified Aldh inhibitor as a potent small molecule for upregulation of Pou4f3 and treatment of hearing loss in the mutant mouse. The identification of Aldh inhibitor for treatment of DFNA15 deafness represents a major advance in the unmet medical need for this common form of progressive hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Jie Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sihao Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Deng-Bin Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Qi He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Cambridge-Suda (CAM-SU) Genomic Resource Center, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Linqing Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chi Fan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huaqun Chen
- College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Nanjing MuCyte Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Zuo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, United States of America
| | - Min-Sheng Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
| | - Guoqiang Wan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
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32
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Matern MS, Milon B, Lipford EL, McMurray M, Ogawa Y, Tkaczuk A, Song Y, Elkon R, Hertzano R. GFI1 functions to repress neuronal gene expression in the developing inner ear hair cells. Development 2020; 147:147/17/dev186015. [PMID: 32917668 PMCID: PMC7502595 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the known importance of the transcription factors ATOH1, POU4F3 and GFI1 in hair cell development and regeneration, their downstream transcriptional cascades in the inner ear remain largely unknown. Here, we have used Gfi1cre;RiboTag mice to evaluate changes to the hair cell translatome in the absence of GFI1. We identify a systematic downregulation of hair cell differentiation genes, concomitant with robust upregulation of neuronal genes in the GFI1-deficient hair cells. This includes increased expression of neuronal-associated transcription factors (e.g. Pou4f1) as well as transcription factors that serve dual roles in hair cell and neuronal development (e.g. Neurod1, Atoh1 and Insm1). We further show that the upregulated genes are consistent with the NEUROD1 regulon and are normally expressed in hair cells prior to GFI1 onset. Additionally, minimal overlap of differentially expressed genes in auditory and vestibular hair cells suggests that GFI1 serves different roles in these systems. From these data, we propose a dual mechanism for GFI1 in promoting hair cell development, consisting of repression of neuronal-associated genes as well as activation of hair cell-specific genes required for normal functional maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie S. Matern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Beatrice Milon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Erika L. Lipford
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Mark McMurray
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yoko Ogawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Andrew Tkaczuk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Yang Song
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ran Elkon
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA .,Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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33
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Kanzaki S, Toyoda M, Umezawa A, Ogawa K. Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy and Inner Ear Regeneration for Hearing Loss: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165764. [PMID: 32796705 PMCID: PMC7460950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inner and middle ear disorders are the leading cause of hearing loss, and are said to be among the greatest risk factors of dementia. The use of regenerative medicine for the treatment of inner ear disorders may offer a potential alternative to cochlear implants for hearing recovery. In this paper, we reviewed recent research and clinical applications in middle and inner ear regeneration and cell therapy. Recently, the mechanism of inner ear regeneration has gradually been elucidated. "Inner ear stem cells," which may be considered the precursors of various cells in the inner ear, have been discovered in the cochlea and vestibule. Research indicates that cells such as hair cells, neurons, and spiral ligaments may form promising targets for inner ear regenerative therapies by the transplantation of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, it is necessary to develop tests for the clinical monitoring of cell transplantation. Real-time imaging techniques and hearing rehabilitation techniques are also being investigated, and cell therapy has found clinical application in cochlear implant techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Kanzaki
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan;
- Correspondence:
| | - Masashi Toyoda
- Research Team for Geriatric Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan;
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
| | - Kaoru Ogawa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan;
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34
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Four Novel Variants in POU4F3 Cause Autosomal Dominant Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:6137083. [PMID: 32684921 PMCID: PMC7349627 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6137083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary hearing loss is one of the most common sensory disabilities worldwide. Mutation of POU domain class 4 transcription factor 3 (POU4F3) is considered the pathogenic cause of autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss (ADNSHL), designated as autosomal dominant nonsyndromic deafness 15. In this study, four novel variants in POU4F3, c.696G>T (p.Glu232Asp), c.325C>T (p.His109Tyr), c.635T>C (p.Leu212Pro), and c.183delG (p.Ala62Argfs∗22), were identified in four different Chinese families with ADNSHL by targeted next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, c.183delG (p.Ala62Argfs∗22) is classified as a pathogenic variant, c.696G>T (p.Glu232Asp) and c.635T>C (p.Leu212Pro) are classified as likely pathogenic variants, and c.325C>T (p.His109Tyr) is classified as a variant of uncertain significance. Based on previous reports and the results of this study, we speculated that POU4F3 pathogenic variants are significant contributors to ADNSHL in the East Asian population. Therefore, screening of POU4F3 should be a routine examination for the diagnosis of hereditary hearing loss.
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35
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Li J, Zhang T, Ramakrishnan A, Fritzsch B, Xu J, Wong EYM, Loh YHE, Ding J, Shen L, Xu PX. Dynamic changes in cis-regulatory occupancy by Six1 and its cooperative interactions with distinct cofactors drive lineage-specific gene expression programs during progressive differentiation of the auditory sensory epithelium. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2880-2896. [PMID: 31956913 PMCID: PMC7102962 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Six1 is essential for induction of sensory cell fate and formation of auditory sensory epithelium, but how it activates gene expression programs to generate distinct cell-types remains unknown. Here, we perform genome-wide characterization of Six1 binding at different stages of auditory sensory epithelium development and find that Six1-binding to cis-regulatory elements changes dramatically at cell-state transitions. Intriguingly, Six1 pre-occupies enhancers of cell-type-specific regulators and effectors before their expression. We demonstrate in-vivo cell-type-specific activity of Six1-bound novel enhancers of Pbx1, Fgf8, Dusp6, Vangl2, the hair-cell master regulator Atoh1 and a cascade of Atoh1's downstream factors, including Pou4f3 and Gfi1. A subset of Six1-bound sites carry consensus-sequences for its downstream factors, including Atoh1, Gfi1, Pou4f3, Gata3 and Pbx1, all of which physically interact with Six1. Motif analysis identifies RFX/X-box as one of the most significantly enriched motifs in Six1-bound sites, and we demonstrate that Six1-RFX proteins cooperatively regulate gene expression through binding to SIX:RFX-motifs. Six1 targets a wide range of hair-bundle regulators and late Six1 deletion disrupts hair-bundle polarity. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of how Six1 cooperates with distinct cofactors in feedforward loops to control lineage-specific gene expression programs during progressive differentiation of the auditory sensory epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Department of Neurosciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA 52242-1324
| | - Jinshu Xu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Elaine Y M Wong
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yong-Hwee Eddie Loh
- Department of Neurosciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jianqiang Ding
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde 528308, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Neurosciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pin-Xian Xu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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36
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Sadler E, Ryals MM, May LA, Martin D, Welsh N, Boger ET, Morell RJ, Hertzano R, Cunningham LL. Cell-Specific Transcriptional Responses to Heat Shock in the Mouse Utricle Epithelium. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:123. [PMID: 32528249 PMCID: PMC7247426 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory epithelia of the inner ear contain mechanosensory hair cells (HCs) and glia-like supporting cells (SCs), both of which are required for hearing and balance functions. Each of these cell types has unique responses to ototoxic and cytoprotective stimuli. Non-lethal heat stress in the mammalian utricle induces heat shock proteins (HSPs) and protects against ototoxic drug-induced hair cell death. Induction of HSPs in the utricle demonstrates cell-type specificity at the protein level, with HSP70 induction occurring primarily in SCs, while HSP32 (also known as heme oxygenase 1, HMOX1) is induced primarily in resident macrophages. Neither of these HSPs are robustly induced in HCs, suggesting that HCs may have little capacity for induction of stress-induced protective responses. To determine the transcriptional responses to heat shock of these different cell types, we performed cell-type-specific transcriptional profiling using the RiboTag method, which allows for immunoprecipitation (IP) of actively translating mRNAs from specific cell types. RNA-Seq differential gene expression analyses demonstrated that the RiboTag method identified known cell type-specific markers as well as new markers for HCs and SCs. Gene expression differences suggest that HCs and SCs exhibit differential transcriptional heat shock responses. The chaperonin family member Cct8 was significantly enriched only in heat-shocked HCs, while Hspa1l (HSP70 family), and Hspb1 and Cryab (HSP27 and HSP20 families, respectively) were enriched only in SCs. Together our data indicate that HCs exhibit a limited but unique heat shock response, and SCs exhibit a broader and more robust transcriptional response to protective heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Sadler
- Section on Sensory Cell Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew M Ryals
- Section on Sensory Cell Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lindsey A May
- Section on Sensory Cell Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Daniel Martin
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Nora Welsh
- Section on Sensory Cell Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Erich T Boger
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Robert J Morell
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ronna Hertzano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lisa L Cunningham
- Section on Sensory Cell Biology, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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37
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Bai X, Zhang F, Xiao Y, Jin Y, Zheng Q, Wang H, Xu L. Identification of two novel mutations in POU4F3 gene associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss in Chinese families. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:6978-6987. [PMID: 32390314 PMCID: PMC7299729 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant non‐syndromic hearing loss is genetically heterogeneous with 47 genes identified to date, including POU4F3. In this study, by using a next‐generation sequencing panel targeting 127 deafness genes, we identified a pathogenic frameshift mutation c.704_705del and a missense mutation c.593G>A in two three‐generation Chinese families with late‐onset progressive ADNSHL, respectively. The novel mutations of POU4F3 co‐segregated with the deafness phenotype in these two families. c.704_705del caused a frameshift p.T235fs and c.593G>A caused an amino acid substitution of p.R198H. Both mutations led to an abnormal and incomplete protein structure. POU4F3 with either of the two mutations was transiently transfected into HEI‐OC1 and HEK 293 cell lines and immunofluorescence assay was performed to investigate the subcellular localization of mutated protein. The results indicated that both c.704_705del (p.T235fs) and c.593G>A (p.R198H) could impair the nuclear localization function of POU4F3. The p.R198H POU4F3 protein was detected as a weak band of the correct molecular weight, indicating that the stability of p.R198H POU4F3 differed from that of the wild‐type protein. While, the p.T235fs POU4F3 protein was expressed with a smaller molecular weight, implying this mutation result in a frameshift and premature termination of the POU4F3 protein. In summary, we report two novel mutations of POU4F3 associated with progressive ADNSHL and explored their effects on POU4F3 nuclear localization. These findings expanded the mutation spectrum of POU4F3 and provided new knowledge for the pathogenesis of POU4F3 in hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Bai
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengguo Zhang
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yun Xiao
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yu Jin
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingyin Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Haibo Wang
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Otologic Center, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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38
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Lu J, Hu L, Ye B, Hu H, Tao Y, Shu Y, Hao Chiang, Borse V, Xiang M, Wu H, Edge ASB, Shi F. Increased Type I and Decreased Type II Hair Cells after Deletion of Sox2 in the Developing Mouse Utricle. Neuroscience 2019; 422:146-160. [PMID: 31678344 PMCID: PMC10858341 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The vestibular system of the inner ear contains Type I and Type II hair cells (HCs) generated from sensory progenitor cells; however, little is known about how the HC subtypes are formed. Sox2 (encoding SRY-box 2) is expressed in Type II, but not in Type I, HCs. The present study aimed to investigate the role of SOX2 in cell fate determination in Type I vs. Type II HCs. First, we confirmed that Type I HCs developed from Sox2-expressing cells through lineage tracing of Sox2-positive cells using a CAG-tdTomato reporter mouse crossed with a Sox2-CreER mouse. Then, Sox2 loss of function was induced in HCs, using Sox2flox transgenic mice crossed with a Gfi1-Cre driver mouse. Knockout of Sox2 in HCs increased the number of Type I HCs and decreased the number of Type II HCs, while the total number of HCs and Sox2-positive supporting cells did not change. In addition, the effect of Sox2-knockout persisted into adulthood, resulting in an increased number of Type I HCs. These results demonstrate that SOX2 plays a critical role in the determination of Type II vs. Type I HC fate. The results suggested that Sox2 is a potential target for generating Type I HCs, which may be important for regenerative strategies for balance disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Lu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China
| | - Lingxiang Hu
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital/Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bin Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China
| | - Haixia Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China
| | - Yong Tao
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital/Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yilai Shu
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department, Affiliated Eye and ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine of National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Chiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Vikrant Borse
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mingliang Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, China; Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital/Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Albert S B Edge
- Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Fuxin Shi
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Decibel Therapeutics, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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39
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Munnamalai V, Fekete DM. The acquisition of positional information across the radial axis of the cochlea. Dev Dyn 2019; 249:281-297. [PMID: 31566832 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya Munnamalai
- The Jackson Laboratory Bar Harbor Maine
- Graduate Program of Biomedical Sciences and EngineeringUniversity of Maine Orono Maine
- The Neuroscience ProgramSackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University Boston Massachusetts
| | - Donna M. Fekete
- Department of Biological SciencesPurdue University West Lafayette Indiana
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience West Lafayette Indiana
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research West Lafayette Indiana
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40
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Zhong C, Fu Y, Pan W, Yu J, Wang J. Atoh1 and other related key regulators in the development of auditory sensory epithelium in the mammalian inner ear: function and interplay. Dev Biol 2019; 446:133-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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41
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Inhibition of Histone Methyltransferase G9a Attenuates Noise-Induced Cochlear Synaptopathy and Hearing Loss. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2019; 20:217-232. [PMID: 30710318 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-019-00714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modification of histones alters their interaction with DNA and nuclear proteins, influencing gene expression and cell fate. In this study, we investigated the effect of G9a (KMT1C, EHMT2), a major histone lysine methyltransferase encoded by the human EHMT2 gene and responsible for histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) on noise-induced permanent hearing loss (NIHL) in adult CBA/J mice. The conditions of noise exposure used in this study led to losses of cochlear synapses and outer hair cells (OHCs) and permanent auditory threshold shifts. Inhibition of G9a with its specific inhibitor BIX 01294 or with siRNA significantly attenuated these pathological features. Treatment with BIX 01294 also prevented the noise-induced decrease of KCNQ4 immunolabeling in OHCs. Additionally, G9a was increased in cochlear cells, including both outer and inner sensory hair cells, some spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), and marginal cells, 1 h after the completion of the noise exposure. Also subsequent to noise exposure, immunoreactivity for H3K9me2 appeared in some nuclei of OHCs following a high-to-low frequency gradient with more labeled OHCs in the 45-kHz than the 32-kHz region, as well as in the marginal cells and in some SGNs of the basal turn. These findings suggest that epigenetic modifications of H3K9me2 are involved in NIHL and that pharmacological targeting of G9a may offer a strategy for protection against cochlear synaptopathy and NIHL.
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42
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Atypical Auditory Brainstem Response and Protein Expression Aberrations Related to ASD and Hearing Loss in the Adnp Haploinsufficient Mouse Brain. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:1494-1507. [PMID: 30659505 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02723-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a wide spread neurodevelopmental disorder with growing morbidity rates, affecting more boys than girls worldwide. Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) was recently recognized as a leading gene accounted for 0.17% of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases globally. Respectively, mutations in the human ADNP gene (ADNP syndrome), cause multi-system body dysfunctions with apparent ASD-related traits, commencing as early as childhood. The Adnp haploinsufficient (Adnp+/-) mouse model was researched before in relations to Alzheimer's disease and autism. Adnp+/- mice suffer from deficient social memory, vocal and motor impediments, irregular tooth eruption and short stature, all of which corresponds with reported phenotypes in patients with the ADNP syndrome. Recently, a more elaborated description of the ADNP syndrome was published, presenting impediments such as hearing disabilities in > 10% of the studied children. Irregular auditory brainstem response (ABR) has been connected to ASD-related cases and has been suggested as a potential hallmark for autism, allowing diagnosis of ASD risk and early intervention. Herein, we present detriment hearing in the Adnp+/- mice with atypical ABR and significant protein expression irregularities that coincides with ASD and hearing loss studies in the brain.
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Yang T, Guo L, Wang L, Yu X. Diagnosis, Intervention, and Prevention of Genetic Hearing Loss. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1130:73-92. [PMID: 30915702 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-6123-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
It is estimated that at least 50% of congenital or childhood hearing loss is attributable to genetic causes. In non-syndromic hearing loss, which accounts for 70% of genetic hearing loss, approximately 80% of cases are autosomal recessive, 15% autosomal dominant, and 1-2% mitochondrial or X-linked. In addition, 30% of genetic hearing loss is syndromic. The genetic causes of hearing loss are highly heterogeneous. So far, more than 140 deafness-related genes have been discovered. Studies on those genes tremendously increased our understanding of the inner ear functions at the molecular level. It also offers important information for the patients and allows personalized and accurate genetic counseling. In many cases, genetic diagnosis of hearing loss can help to avoid unnecessary and costly clinical testing, offer prognostic information, and guide future medical management. On the other hand, a variety of gene therapeutic approaches have been developed aiming to relieve or converse the hearing loss due to genetic causes. Prevention of genetic hearing loss is feasible through prepregnancy and prenatal genetic diagnosis and counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China.
| | - Luo Guo
- Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine of NHFPC, ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department, Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Cochlear Implant, Affiliated Eye and ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Longhao Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose Diseases, Shanghai, China
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44
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Lahlou H, Nivet E, Lopez-Juarez A, Fontbonne A, Assou S, Zine A. Enriched Differentiation of Human Otic Sensory Progenitor Cells Derived From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:452. [PMID: 30618604 PMCID: PMC6306956 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurosensory deficit of the inner ear is mostly due to a loss of hair cells (HCs). Development of stem cell-based therapy requires a better understanding of factors and signals that drive stem cells into otic sensory progenitor cells (OSPCs) to replace lost HCs. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) theoretically represent an unlimited supply for the generation of human OSPCs in vitro. In this study, we developed a monolayer-based differentiation system to generate an enriched population of OSPCs via a stepwise differentiation of hiPSCs. Gene and protein expression analyses revealed the efficient induction of a comprehensive panel of otic/placodal and late otic markers over the course of the differentiation. Furthermore, whole transcriptome analysis confirmed a developmental path of OSPC differentiation from hiPSCs. We found that modulation of WNT and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling combined with fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) and FGF10 treatment over a 6-day period drives the expression of early otic/placodal markers followed by late otic sensory markers within 13 days, indicative of a differentiation into embryonic-like HCs. In summary, we report a rapid and efficient strategy to generate an enriched population of OSPCs from hiPSCs, thereby establishing the value of this approach for disease modeling and cell-based therapies of the inner ear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanae Lahlou
- LNIA, CNRS UMR 7260, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuel Nivet
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, INP UMR 7051, Marseille, France
| | | | - Arnaud Fontbonne
- LNIA, CNRS UMR 7260, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Said Assou
- IRMB, Université Montpellier, INSERM U1183, Montpellier, France
| | - Azel Zine
- LNIA, CNRS UMR 7260, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.,Université Montpellier, UFR de Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
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He Z, Fang Q, Li H, Shao B, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Han X, Guo R, Cheng C, Guo L, Shi L, Li A, Yu C, Kong W, Zhao C, Gao X, Chai R. The role of FOXG1 in the postnatal development and survival of mouse cochlear hair cells. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:43-57. [PMID: 30336149 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of therapeutic interventions for hearing loss requires a detailed understanding of the genes and proteins involved in hearing. The FOXG1 protein plays an important role in early neural development and in a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Previous studies have shown that there are severe deformities in the inner ear in Foxg1 knockout mice, but due to the postnatal lethality of Foxg1 knockout mice, the role of FOXG1 in hair cell (HC) development and survival during the postnatal period has not been investigated. In this study, we took advantage of transgenic mice that have a specific knockout of Foxg1 in HCs, thus allowing us to explore the role of FOXG1 in postnatal HC development and survival. In the Foxg1 conditional knockout (CKO) HCs, an extra row of HCs appeared in the apical turn of the cochlea and some parts of the middle turn at postnatal day (P)1 and P7; however, these HCs gradually underwent apoptosis, and the HC number was significantly decreased by P21. Auditory brainstem response tests showed that the Foxg1 CKO mice had lost their hearing by P30. The RNA-Seq results and the qPCR verification both showed that the Wnt, Notch, IGF, EGF, and Hippo signaling pathways were down-regulated in the HCs of Foxg1 CKO mice. The significant down-regulation of the Notch signaling pathway might be the reason for the increased numbers of HCs in the cochleae of Foxg1 CKO mice at P1 and P7, while the down-regulation of the Wnt, IGF, and EGF signaling pathways might lead to subsequent HC apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that knockout of Foxg1 induces an extra row of HCs via Notch signaling inhibition and induces subsequent apoptosis of these HCs by inhibiting the Wnt, IGF, and EGF signaling pathways. This study thus provides new evidence for the function and mechanism of FOXG1 in HC development and survival in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuhong He
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qiaojun Fang
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - He Li
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Buwei Shao
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yuhua Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Rongrong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Lingna Guo
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Lusen Shi
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Ao Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chenjie Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Weijia Kong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Diseases, MOE, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Center of Depression, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, China.
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Renjie Chai
- Key Laboratory for Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China; Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Jiangsu Province High-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-Medical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China.
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Taylor RR, Filia A, Paredes U, Asai Y, Holt JR, Lovett M, Forge A. Regenerating hair cells in vestibular sensory epithelia from humans. eLife 2018; 7:34817. [PMID: 30019672 PMCID: PMC6078492 DOI: 10.7554/elife.34817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human vestibular sensory epithelia in explant culture were incubated in gentamicin to ablate hair cells. Subsequent transduction of supporting cells with ATOH1 using an Ad-2 viral vector resulted in generation of highly significant numbers of cells expressing the hair cell marker protein myosin VIIa. Cells expressing myosin VIIa were also generated after blocking the Notch signalling pathway with TAPI-1 but less efficiently. Transcriptomic analysis following ATOH1 transduction confirmed up-regulation of 335 putative hair cell marker genes, including several downstream targets of ATOH1. Morphological analysis revealed numerous cells bearing dense clusters of microvilli at the apical surfaces which showed some hair cell-like characteristics confirming a degree of conversion of supporting cells. However, no cells bore organised hair bundles and several expected hair cell markers genes were not expressed suggesting incomplete differentiation. Nevertheless, the results show a potential to induce conversion of supporting cells in the vestibular sensory tissues of humans. The inner ear contains our balance system (the vestibular system) and our hearing organ (the cochlea). Their sensing units, the hair cells, detect movement or sound waves. A loss of hair cells is a major cause of inner ear disorders, such as dizziness, imbalance and deafness. When hair cells die, supporting cells that surround them close the ‘wound’ to repair the tissue. In fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, the supporting cells can replace lost hair cells, but in mammals – including humans – hair cells are unable to regenerate in the cochlea, so hearing loss is permanent. However, previous research has shown that in certain mammals, spontaneous replacement of lost hair cells in the vestibular system can occur, but not enough to lead to a full recovery. Scientists have been able to convert supporting cells in the vestibular system of mice into hair cells by using either certain chemicals, or by introducing a specific gene into the supporting cells. In the mouse embryo, this gene, called Atoh1, switches on a signalling pathway in the inner ear, through which a non-specialised precursor cell becomes a hair cell. Inducing hair cell regeneration could be a therapy for inner ear disorders. Therefore, Taylor et al. wanted to find out if such procedures would work in inner ear tissue from humans. The researchers collected intact tissue samples from the vestibular system of patients who had undergone surgery to have a tumour removed, which would normally destroy the inner ear. All existing hair cells were removed so that mainly supporting cells remained. Then, the tissue was either treated with chemicals that increased the production of hair cells or received the gene ATOH1. The results showed that the cells containing the gene were able to develop many features characteristic of hair cells. And a smaller number of hair cells treated with the chemicals also started to develop hair cell-like features. A gene analysis after the ATOH1 transfer revealed a number of active genes known to be markers of hair cells, but also several inactive ones. This suggests that additional factors are necessary for generating fully functional hair cells. Dizziness and balance disorders present a major health care burden, particularly in the elderly population. Yet, they are often disregarded and overlooked. This study suggests that hair cell regeneration could be a feasible therapy for some forms of balance disorders linked to loss of vestibular hair cells. More research is needed to identify the other factors at play to test if hair cell regeneration in the cochlea could be used to treat hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasia Filia
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ursula Paredes
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yukako Asai
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Holt
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, United States
| | - Michael Lovett
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Forge
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Duran Alonso MB, Lopez Hernandez I, de la Fuente MA, Garcia-Sancho J, Giraldez F, Schimmang T. Transcription factor induced conversion of human fibroblasts towards the hair cell lineage. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200210. [PMID: 29979748 PMCID: PMC6034836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most common sensorineural disorder, affecting over 5% of the population worldwide. Its most frequent cause is the loss of hair cells (HCs), the mechanosensory receptors of the cochlea. HCs transduce incoming sounds into electrical signals that activate auditory neurons, which in turn send this information to the brain. Although some spontaneous HC regeneration has been observed in neonatal mammals, the very small pool of putative progenitor cells that have been identified in the adult mammalian cochlea is not able to replace the damaged HCs, making any hearing impairment permanent. To date, guided differentiation of human cells to HC-like cells has only been achieved using either embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, use of such cell types suffers from a number of important disadvantages, such as the risk of tumourigenicity if transplanted into the host´s tissue. We have obtained cells expressing hair cell markers from cultures of human fibroblasts by overexpression of GFI1, Pou4f3 and ATOH1 (GPA), three genes that are known to play a critical role in the development of HCs. Immunocytochemical, qPCR and RNAseq analyses demonstrate the expression of genes typically expressed by HCs in the transdifferentiated cells. Our protocol represents a much faster approach than the methods applied to ESCs and iPSCs and validates the combination of GPA as a set of genes whose activation leads to the direct conversion of human somatic cells towards the hair cell lineage. Our observations are expected to contribute to the development of future therapies aimed at the regeneration of the auditory organ and the restoration of hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Beatriz Duran Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Iris Lopez Hernandez
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel de la Fuente
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Garcia-Sancho
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Fernando Giraldez
- CEXS, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Parc de Recerca Biomédica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
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48
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Booth KT, Azaiez H, Jahan I, Smith RJH, Fritzsch B. Intracellular Regulome Variability Along the Organ of Corti: Evidence, Approaches, Challenges, and Perspective. Front Genet 2018; 9:156. [PMID: 29868110 PMCID: PMC5951964 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian hearing organ is a regular array of two types of hair cells (HCs) surrounded by six types of supporting cells. Along the tonotopic axis, this conserved radial array of cell types shows longitudinal variations to enhance the tuning properties of basilar membrane. We present the current evidence supporting the hypothesis that quantitative local variations in gene expression profiles are responsible for local cell responses to global gene manipulations. With the advent of next generation sequencing and the unprecedented array of technologies offering high throughput analyses at the single cell level, transcriptomics will become a common tool to enhance our understanding of the inner ear. We provide an overview of the approaches and landmark studies undertaken to date to analyze single cell variations in the organ of Corti and discuss the current limitations. We next provide an overview of the complexity of known regulatory mechanisms in the inner ear. These mechanisms are tightly regulated temporally and spatially at the transcription, RNA-splicing, mRNA-regulation, and translation levels. Understanding the intricacies of regulatory mechanisms at play in the inner ear will require the use of complementary approaches, and most probably, a combinatorial strategy coupling transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomics technologies. We highlight how these data, in conjunction with recent insights into molecular cell transformation, can advance attempts to restore lost hair cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Booth
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Hela Azaiez
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Israt Jahan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Richard J H Smith
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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Atkinson PJ, Dong Y, Gu S, Liu W, Najarro EH, Udagawa T, Cheng AG. Sox2 haploinsufficiency primes regeneration and Wnt responsiveness in the mouse cochlea. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:1641-1656. [PMID: 29553487 DOI: 10.1172/jci97248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, Sox2 is indispensable for cell division and differentiation, yet its roles in regenerating tissues are less clear. Here, we used combinations of transgenic mouse models to reveal that Sox2 haploinsufficiency (Sox2haplo) increases rather than impairs cochlear regeneration in vivo. Sox2haplo cochleae had delayed terminal mitosis and ectopic sensory cells, yet normal auditory function. Sox2haplo amplified and expanded domains of damage-induced Atoh1+ transitional cell formation in neonatal cochlea. Wnt activation via β-catenin stabilization (β-cateninGOF) alone failed to induce proliferation or transitional cell formation. By contrast, β-cateninGOF caused proliferation when either Sox2haplo or damage was present, and transitional cell formation when both were present in neonatal, but not mature, cochlea. Mechanistically, Sox2haplo or damaged neonatal cochleae showed lower levels of Sox2 and Hes5, but not of Wnt target genes. Together, our study unveils an interplay between Sox2 and damage in directing tissue regeneration and Wnt responsiveness and thus provides a foundation for potential combinatorial therapies aimed at stimulating mammalian cochlear regeneration to reverse hearing loss in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Atkinson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yaodong Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Otology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shuping Gu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Elvis Huarcaya Najarro
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tomokatsu Udagawa
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alan G Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Fritzsch B, Elliott KL. Gene, cell, and organ multiplication drives inner ear evolution. Dev Biol 2017; 431:3-15. [PMID: 28866362 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We review the development and evolution of the ear neurosensory cells, the aggregation of neurosensory cells into an otic placode, the evolution of novel neurosensory structures dedicated to hearing and the evolution of novel nuclei in the brain and their input dedicated to processing those novel auditory stimuli. The evolution of the apparently novel auditory system lies in duplication and diversification of cell fate transcription regulation that allows variation at the cellular level [transforming a single neurosensory cell into a sensory cell connected to its targets by a sensory neuron as well as diversifying hair cells], organ level [duplication of organ development followed by diversification and novel stimulus acquisition] and brain nuclear level [multiplication of transcription factors to regulate various neuron and neuron aggregate fate to transform the spinal cord into the unique hindbrain organization]. Tying cell fate changes driven by bHLH and other transcription factors into cell and organ changes is at the moment tentative as not all relevant factors are known and their gene regulatory network is only rudimentary understood. Future research can use the blueprint proposed here to provide both the deeper molecular evolutionary understanding as well as a more detailed appreciation of developmental networks. This understanding can reveal how an auditory system evolved through transformation of existing cell fate determining networks and thus how neurosensory evolution occurred through molecular changes affecting cell fate decision processes. Appreciating the evolutionary cascade of developmental program changes could allow identifying essential steps needed to restore cells and organs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Fritzsch
- University of Iowa, Department of Biology, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States.
| | - Karen L Elliott
- University of Iowa, Department of Biology, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
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