Cutri RM, Lin J, Nguyen NV, Shakya D, Shibata SB. Neomycin-Induced Deafness in Neonatal Mice.
J Neurosci Methods 2023;
391:109852. [PMID:
37031766 DOI:
10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109852]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Hearing impairment is a rising public health issue, and current therapeutics fail to restore normal auditory sensation. Animal models are essential to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of deafness and developing therapeutics to restore hearing.
NEW METHODS
Wild-type CBA/CaJ neonatal mice P2-5 were used in this study. Neomycin suspension (500nl of 50 or 100mg/ml) was micro-injected into the endolymphatic space. Cochlear morphology was examined 3 and 7 days after injection; hair cell (HC) loss, supporting cell morphology, and neurite denervation pattern were assessed with whole-mounts. At 2 and 4 weeks post-injection, the spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) density was analyzed with cryostat sections. Audiometric responses were measured with auditory brain response (ABR) at 4 weeks.
RESULTS
Rapid and complete degeneration of the inner and outer HCs occurred as early as 3 days post-injection. Subsequently, time- and dose-dependent degeneration patterns were observed along the axis of the cochlear membranous labyrinth forming a flat epithelium. Likewise, the SGN histology demonstrated significant cell density reduction at 2 and 4 weeks. The ABR threshold measurements confirmed profound deafness at 4 weeks.
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS
Compared to previously described local and systemic aminoglycoside injections, this method provides a reliable, robust, and rapid deafening model with a single infusion of neomycin in neonatal mice. This model also allows for investigating the effects of inner ear damage during auditory maturation.
CONCLUSIONS
A single injection of neomycin into the endolymphatic space induces robust HC loss and denervation in neonatal mice.
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