The cochlea is vulnerable to various pathological conditions, with sensory cells typically being the primary targets of damage. However, supporting cells also experience significant impacts. Despite their critical role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the sensory epithelium, the supporting cell involvement in cochlear damage remains poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the susceptibility of supporting cells in cochlear damage and their role in structural repair, using a mouse model of ototoxicity induced by cyclodextrin—a cyclic oligomer of glucose that is known to preferentially damage outer hair cells at high doses. A morphological examination of the cochlea showed that cyclodextrin exposure caused significant sensory cell loss, particularly affecting outer hair cells across the cochlear spiral, except at the apex. Despite extensive hair cell damage, most supporting cells in the apical and middle cochlear regions survived. In the basal end, where substantial supporting cell loss occurred, certain Deiters’ cells survived even after losing their phalangeal processes. Additionally, our observations indicate that Hensen's cells contribute to forming an epithelial layer over the basilar membrane when the organ of Corti collapses. Further quantitative analysis revealed location-dependent susceptibility among supporting cell types. Deiters’ cells demonstrated greater resilience than pillar cells. Notably, the three rows of Deiters’ cells displayed differential susceptibility: the third row showed a more significant loss in regions with sporadic Deiters’ cell loss, while the first row exhibited an increased loss in areas adjacent to regions of complete Deiters’ cell depletion. The reduction of Hensen's cells started in the middle section of the cochlea, occurring at a greater level than the reduction observed in Deiters’ and pillar cells. However, in the extreme base, where both pillar and Deiters’ cells were largely or completely absent, some Hensen's cells were still present. Together, these findings provide new insights into the varying vulnerability of supporting cells to cochlear damage and underscore their essential role in structural repair.

Macrophages are the primary immune cells in the cochlea, essential for maintaining cochlear homeostasis and orchestrating inflammatory responses to pathological events. Although these cells have been found in various parts of the cochlea, their presence in the organ of Corti, a critical structure for acoustic sensing, remains poorly understood. The present study was designed to examine macrophage responses to ototoxic drug-induced cochlear damage and age-related cochlear degeneration, with a particular focus on the pathological conditions that trigger macrophage recruitment into the organ of Corti. We used a model of ototoxicity induced by cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide known for its ability to induce rapid sensory cell damage at high doses. Cochlear tissues were collected for macrophage assessment. Multiple protein markers, including CD45, Iba1, galectin-3, CD68, myosin 7α, and IFIT3, were used to label sensory cells, macrophages, and supporting cells in cochlear sensory epithelia. Consistent with previous reports, our study confirms that macrophages are absent from the organ of Corti in mouse cochleae under normal conditions and during the acute phase of cochlear damage. However, macrophages enter the organ of Corti during the chronic phase of cochlear pathogenesis. These macrophages exhibit an activated state and display a distinct functional profile compared to macrophages outside the organ of Corti. Importantly, we demonstrate that the organ of Corti macrophage activity is not directly related to the process of sensory cell degradation. Instead, their activity is associated with supporting cell pathogenesis. Moreover, our study shows that the organ of Corti macrophages are also present in aging mouse cochleae. Collectively, our findings reveal the conditions that lead to macrophage recruitment into the organ of Corti and their involvement in supporting cell survival and degeneration. These findings provide valuable insights for future strategies focused on modulating macrophage activity to reduce tissue damage and promote repair in the cochlea following injury.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are widely used in systemic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can be employed in otology to evaluate endolymphatic hydrops in patients with Ménière's disease. Given the heavy metal properties of gadolinium and its tendency to deposit in tissues, it is essential to assess its ototoxic risk. We evaluated the ototoxicity of gadodiamide using in vitro and in vivo models. In vitro, cochlear explants from postnatal day 3 rats were cultured for 24 h in medium containing 0, 100 (equivalent to the concentration in perilymph after intratympanic injection), 500, or 2500 μM gadodiamide. Immunofluorescence results revealed that no significant structural damage occurred to hair cells (HCs) or spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) somata at any concentration, and that only the 2500 μM group exhibited slight thinning or disintegration of auditory nerve fibers (ANFs). In vivo, 50 μL of normal saline, 8-fold diluted, or undiluted gadodiamide was applied to the round window membrane (RWM) of adult rats via a postauricular approach. Evaluation 5 days later showed that, compared with the saline group, there were no significant changes in the compound action potential (CAP) thresholds or cochlear structures in rats treated with either 8-fold diluted or undiluted gadodiamide. The results confirmed that clinical doses of gadodiamide do not cause damage to cochlear structures; however, the neurotoxicity observed at excessively high concentrations highlights the necessity of strict adherence to dosing protocols.

Oxidative stress is a core pathological mechanism in sensorineural hearing loss. It involves excessive production of reactive oxygen species and an imbalance in the antioxidant defense system. This imbalance damages key cells, such as inner ear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. However, blind or excessive antioxidant intervention can disrupt intracellular redox homeostasis and may trigger free radical chain reactions. For example, the Fenton reaction catalyzes the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Antioxidants themselves can also transform into free radical intermediates. These processes can paradoxically worsen cellular damage, a phenomenon known as the “antioxidant paradox”. Clinical meta-analyses and experimental studies have confirmed this risk. For instance, high doses of N-acetylcysteine or the SOD mimetic M40403 can induce cochlear cell apoptosis. Current techniques for detecting oxidative stress have limitations. There is a lack of specific biomarkers, and obtaining tissue samples from the inner ear is difficult. These limitations prevent precise antioxidant therapy. Future strategies must shift toward targeted modulation. Examples include using hydrogen to selectively neutralize toxic free radicals or using metal chelators to block the source of radical generation. Another direction is the design of multifunctional antioxidants. The goal is to restore the redox balance rather than indiscriminately scavenging all free radicals.

FOXG1 syndrome (FS) is a rare and devastating neurodevelopmental disorder affected by FOXG1 gene mutations and reduced sound tolerance has been reported in children with FS. Effects of single missense mutation of Foxg1 gene on auditory function and behavior were studied using the G216S mouse model. G216S mice showed significantly reduced gap-induced prepulse inhibition, suggesting poor temporal processing without hearing loss. Increased running and freezing behaviors under loud sounds were also found in G216 mice, suggesting aversive sound behaviors. Electrophysiological assessment of the auditory cortex of G216 mice revealed a slightly reduced amplitude and enlarged poststimulus responses to the sound stimulus. The layer function analysis using current source density revealed reduced layer-specific response in the G216S mice. Immunocytochemistry found Foxg1 gene mutation affects cortical layer differentiations and reduced cortical neurons, which are consistent with the physiological results. Our study suggests that the Foxg1 mutation impaired cortical development. The results are consistent with other models of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that the G216S mouse model may represent a hyperacusis model of ASD. Our results provide direct evidence that a single-nucleotide mutation of the Foxg1 gene can affect cortical layer development and auditory processing and reduce sound tolerance.

Blast wave exposure, a leading cause of hearing loss and balance dysfunction among military personnel, arises primarily from direct mechanical damage to the mechanosensory hair cells and supporting structures or indirectly through excessive oxidative stress. We previously reported that HK-2, an orally active, multifunctional redox modulator (MFRM), was highly effective in reducing both hearing loss and hair cells loss in rats exposed to a moderate intensity workday noise that likely damages the cochlea primarily from oxidative stress versus direct mechanical trauma. To determine if HK-2 could also protect cochlear and vestibular cells from damage caused primarily from direct blast-induced mechanical trauma versus oxidative stress, we exposed rats to six blasts of 186 dB peak SPL. The rats were divided into four groups: (B) blast alone, (BEP) blast plus earplugs, (BHK-2) blast plus HK-2 and (BEPHK-2) blast plus earplugs plus HK-2. HK-2 was orally administered at 50 mg/kg/d from 7-days before to 30-day after the blast exposure. Cochlear and vestibular tissues were harvested 60-d post-exposure and evaluated for loss of outer hair cells (OHC), inner hair cells (IHC), auditory nerve fibers (ANF), spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) and vestibular hair cells in the saccule, utricle and semicircular canals. In the untreated blast-exposed group (B), massive losses occurred to OHC, IHC, ANF, SGN and only the vestibular hair cells in the striola region of the saccule. In contrast, rats treated with HK-2 (BHK-2) sustained significantly less OHC (67%) and IHC (57%) loss compared to the B group. OHC and IHC losses were smallest in the BEPHK-2 group, but not significantly different from the BEP group indicating lack of protective synergy between EP and HK-2. There was no loss of ANF, SGN or saccular hair cells in the BHK-2, BEP and BEPHK-2 groups. Thus, HK-2 not only significantly reduced OHC and IHC damage, but completely prevented loss of ANF, SGN and saccule hair cells. The powerful protective effects of this oral MFRM make HK-2 an extremely promising candidate for human clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE:Verification that blind and excessive use of antioxidants leads to antioxidant stress which exacerbates cochlear cell damage. STUDY DESIGN:Basic research. SETTING:The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. METHODS:We compared and quantified hair cell-like house ear institute-organ of corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cell density, cell viability, and apoptosis caused by different concentrations of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) via Hoechst staining, Cell Counting Kit 8, Hoechst with propidium iodide staining, and Annexin V with propidium iodide (PI) staining. Apoptosis induced by high concentrations of M40403 and coenzyme Q10 in cochlear explants was analyzed and compared by cochlear dissection and activated caspase 3 labeling. RESULTS:With the increase of NAC concentration (0-1000 μmol/L), cell density decreased consequently and reached the lowest at 1000 μmol/L (****P ≤ .0001). Cell viability is also declining (**P < .01). The number of Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled cells and PI-labeled cells increased with increasing NAC concentration after treatment of HEI-OC1 cells for 48 hours. The proportion of apoptotic cells also rose (*P < .05, **P < .01). Cochlear hair cells (HCs) treated with low concentrations of M40403 and coenzyme Q10 for 48 hours showed no damage. When the concentrations of M40403 and coenzyme Q10 were increased (concentrations＞30 μmol/L), HC damage began, followed by a dose-dependent increase in HC loss (*P < .001, **P < .0001). Activated caspase-3 was clearly apparent in cochlear explants treated with 50 μmol/L M40403 and coenzyme Q10 compared with cochlear explants without added M40403 and coenzyme Q10. CONCLUSION:These experimental results suggest that inappropriate application of antioxidants can cause severe damage to normal cochlear HCs.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia leads to neural dysfunction, including sensorineural hearing loss. Our previous studies demonstrated that elevated bilirubin induced apoptotic pathway activation and led to cell malformation in spiral ganglion neurons of neonatal rat cochlear organotypic explants. However, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. Concurrent hyperbilirubinemia and acidemia would exacerbate neuronal damage. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), which belong to the epithelial Na+ channel/degenerin (ENaC/DEG) superfamily, were activated during acidic pH fluctuations. To elucidate the roles of ASICs in bilirubin-induced ototoxicity, we treated postnatal cochlear explants of Sprague-Dawley rats with ASIC blockers and characterized the morphological and molecular alterations. Briefly, the basilar membrane and spiral ganglion neurons of the Sprague-Dawley rats at postnatal day 3 were cultured. The organotypic explants were randomly divided into control, bilirubin only, and bilirubin with ASIC blocker treatment groups. After 24 h of treatment, samples were taken for morphological molecular analysis. Our results showed that bilirubin-induced ototoxicity was alleviated in the alkalized environment and blocking ASIC1a protected cochleae from bilirubin-induced apoptosis. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the profiles in ASIC1a blocker-treated group were similar to those in the control group, compared with the bilirubin-only treated cochleae group. The inhibition of ASIC1a suggests a potential attenuation of bilirubin-induced SGN degeneration, possibly through regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings suggest that inhibiting ASIC1a alleviated bilirubin-induced ototoxicity in cochlear explants, with the protective effects being mediated, at least partially, via the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings shed light on the potential therapeutic targets for treating bilirubin-induced ototoxicity.

目的 展示自然衰老和耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷之间耳蜗毛细胞缺失的不同模式.方法 用不同龄的长尾猴、南美栗鼠、豚鼠、Sprague-Dawley大鼠、CBA/CaJ小鼠、C57BL/6J小鼠、A/J小鼠、DBA/2J小鼠和侏儒灰色突变纯合子(dwg/dwg)小鼠作为受试对象.所有测试动物的耳蜗基底膜都被制作成平坦的耳蜗基底膜铺片.沿着耳蜗基底膜的全长,基底膜上所有的内外毛细胞都被完整计数,毛细胞的计数结果被输入到耳蜗图软件并自动生成每组实验条件的平均耳蜗图.结果 在天然衰老的动物中,耳蜗毛细胞的缺失总是发生在老年阶段.与此不同的是,在耳聋相关基因缺陷的动物中,耳蜗毛细胞的缺失却是发生在青年阶段甚至幼年阶段.发生在天然老化动物的耳蜗毛细胞缺失总是呈均匀分布或从耳蜗的顶回向底回扩展.但是,发生在具有耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷动物的耳蜗毛细胞缺失却通常表现为从耳蜗的底回向顶回扩展.结论 本实验观察结果表明,发生在天然衰老的不具备耳聋相关基因缺陷动物身上的年龄相关性耳蜗毛细胞缺失反映的是真正由衰老引起的耳蜗退化性病变,而发生在伴有耳聋相关基因遗传缺陷的年幼动物身上的年龄相关性耳蜗毛细胞缺失可能与耳聋相关基因的遗传缺陷有关.

本文讨论了由耳蜗毛细胞死亡引发的耳蜗内一系列延迟性继发病变.在外毛细胞遭到破坏的早期阶段,外指细胞即刻膨胀开来并堵塞了螺旋器表面的穿孔.外指细胞的膨胀有效阻止了含高钾浓度的内淋巴液进入到螺旋器的内部,从而使剩余的毛细胞和支持细胞避免了钾中毒损害.膨胀的外指细胞随后分化成高大柱形细胞并继续支撑起耳蜗螺旋器的整个外形结构.在发生散在性外毛细胞缺失的耳蜗损害模型,由外指细胞转化的高大柱形细胞在外毛细胞缺失的位置永久支撑起耳蜗螺旋器的结构,使周围剩余的存活外毛细胞继续发挥其放大和转换声学振动信号的功能以维持残余听力.在发生大面积外毛细胞死亡的耳蜗损害模型,转化成高大柱形细胞的前外指细胞在外毛细胞缺失后30 d左右死亡,随后导致整个耳蜗螺旋器的结构坍塌和内毛细胞及其他支持细胞的继发性死亡,最后在耳蜗基底膜上仅存一层扁平上皮.无论是在内外毛细胞被同时破坏的实验模型还是在外毛细胞大面积死亡后继发支持结构坍塌和内毛细胞死亡的实验模型,耳蜗传出神经和传入神经都会在丧失内外毛细胞后数周内发生继发性破坏.位于蜗轴螺旋管内的螺旋神经节随后也因丧失神经刺激信号和缺乏神经营养因子而引发延迟性螺旋神经节死亡,螺旋神经节的死亡使与耳蜗核相连的听觉神经中枢端轴突也发生不可逆的破坏,最终导致耳蜗周围系统与中枢听觉系统的神经连接永久中断.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), caused by direct damage to the cochlea, reduces the flow of auditory information to the central nervous system, depriving higher order structures, such as the hippocampus with vital sensory information needed to carry out complex, higher order functions. Although the hippocampus lies outside the classical auditory pathway, it nevertheless receives acoustic information that influence its activity. Here we review recent results that illustrate how NIHL and other types of cochlear hearing loss disrupt hippocampal function. The hippocampus, which continues to generate new neurons (neurogenesis) in adulthood, plays an important role in spatial navigation, memory, and emotion. The hippocampus, which contains place cells that respond when a subject enters a specific location in the environment, integrates information from multiple sensory systems, including the auditory system, to develop cognitive spatial maps to aid in navigation. Acute exposure to intense noise disrupts the place-specific firing patterns of hippocampal neurons, "spatially disorienting" the cells for days. More traumatic sound exposures that result in permanent NIHL chronically suppresses cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the hippocampus; these structural changes are associated with long-term spatial memory deficits. Hippocampal neurons, which contain numerous glucocorticoid hormone receptors, are part of a complex feedback network connected to the hypothalamic-pituitary (HPA) axis. Chronic exposure to intense intermittent noise results in prolonged stress which can cause a persistent increase in corticosterone, a rodent stress hormone known to suppress neurogenesis. In contrast, a single intense noise exposure sufficient to cause permanent hearing loss produces only a transient increase in corticosterone hormone. Although basal corticosterone levels return to normal after the noise exposure, glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hippocampus remain chronically elevated. Thus, NIHL disrupts negative feedback from the hippocampus to the HPA axis which regulates the release of corticosterone. Preclinical studies suggest that the noise-induced changes in hippocampal place cells, neurogenesis, spatial memory, and glucocorticoid receptors may be ameliorated by therapeutic interventions that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. These experimental results may provide new insights on why hearing loss is a risk factor for cognitive decline and suggest methods for preventing this decline.

Hearing impairment is a cardinal feature of Down syndrome (DS), but its clinical manifestations have been attributed to multiple factors. Murine models could provide mechanistic insights on various causes of hearing loss in DS. To investigate mechanisms of hearing loss in DS in the absence of the cadherin 23 mutation, we backcrossed our DS mice, Dp(16)1Yey, onto normal-hearing CBA/J mice and evaluated their auditory function. Body weights of wild type (WT) and DS mice were similar at 3-months of age, but at 9-months, WT weighed 30% more than DS mice. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE), a test of sensory outer hair cell (OHC) function negatively impacted by conductive hearing loss, were reduced in amplitude and sensitivity across all frequencies in DS mice. The middle ear space in DS mice appeared normal with no evidence of infection. MicroCT structural imaging of DS temporal bones revealed a smaller tympanic membrane diameter, oval window, and middle ear space and localized thickening of the bony otic capsule, but no gross abnormalities of the middle ear ossicles. Histological analysis of the cochlear and vestibular sensory epithelium revealed a normal density of cochlear and vestibular hair cells; however, the cochlear basal membrane was approximately 0.6 mm shorter in DS than WT mice so that the total number of hair cells was greater in WT than DS mice. In DS mice, the early and late peaks in the auditory brainstem response (ABR), reflecting neural responses from the cochlear auditory nerve followed by subsequent neural centers in the brainstem, were reduced in amplitude and ABR thresholds were elevated to a similar degree across all frequencies, consistent with a conductive hearing impairment. The latency of the peaks in the ABR waveform were longer in DS than WT mice when compared at the same intensity; however, the latency delays disappeared when the data were compared at the same intensity above thresholds to compensate for the conductive hearing loss. Future studies using wideband tympanometry and absorbance together with detailed histological analysis of the middle ear could illuminate the nature of the conductive hearing impairment in DS mice.

Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by aberrant cholesterol metabolism. The progression of the disease can be slowed by removing excess cholesterol with high-doses of 2hyroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP ,BCD). Unfortunately, HP ,BCD causes hearing loss; the initial first phase involves a rapid destruction of outer hair cells (OHCs) while the second phase, occurring 4-6 weeks later, involves the destruction of inner hair cells (IHCs), pillar cells, collapse of the organ of Corti and spiral ganglion neuron degeneration. To determine whether the first and/or second phase of HP ,BCD-induced cochlear damage is linked, in part, to excess oxidative stress or neuroinflammation, rats were treated with a single-dose of 30 0 0 mg/kg HP ,BCD alone or together with one of two combination therapies. Each combination therapy was administered from 2-days before to 6-weeks after the HP ,BCD treatment. Combination 1 consisted of minocycline, an antibiotic that suppresses neuroinflammation, and HK-2, a multifunctional redox modulator that suppresses oxidative stress. Combination 2 was comprised of minocycline plus N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which upregulates glutathione, a potent antioxidant. To determine if either combination therapy could prevent HP ,BCD-induced hearing impairment and cochlear damage, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were measured to assess OHC function and the cochlear compound action potential (CAP) was measured to assess the function of IHCs and auditory nerve fibers. Cochleograms were prepared to quantify the amount of OHC, IHC and pillar cell (PC) loss. HP ,BCD significantly reduced DPOAE and CAP amplitudes and caused significant OHC, IHC and OPC losses with losses greater in the high-frequency base of the cochlea than the apex. Neither minocycline + HK-2 (MIN + HK2) nor minocycline + NAC (MIN + NAC) prevented the loss of DPOAEs, CAPs, OHCs, IHCs or IPCs caused by HP ,BCD. These results suggest that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are unlikely to play major roles in mediating the first or second phase of HP ,BCD-induced cochlear damage. Thus, HP ,BCD-induced ototoxicity must be mediated by some other unknown cell-death pathway possibly involving loss of trophic support from damaged support cells or disrupted cholesterol metabolism. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic health condition affecting older adults and age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most common form of hearing impairment. Significant sex differences in hearing have been documented in humans and rodents. In general, the results of these studies show that men lose their hearing more rapidly than women. However, the cellular mechanism underlying sex differences in hearing or hearing loss remains largely unknown, and to our knowledge, there is no well-established animal model for studying sex differences in hearing. In the current study, we examined sex differences in body composition, voluntary wheel running activity, balance performance, auditory function, and cochlear histology in young, middle-age, and old CBA/CaJ mice, a model of age-related hearing loss. As expected, body weight of young females was lower than that of males. Similarly, lean mass and total water mass of young, middle-age, and old females were lower than those of males. Young females showed higher voluntary wheel running activity during the dark cycle, an indicator of mobility, physical activity, and balance status, compared to males. Young females also displayed higher auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitudes at 8 kHz, wave II, III, V amplitudes at 8 and 48 kHz, and wave IV/I and V/I amplitude ratios at 48 kHz compared to males. Collectively, our findings suggest that the CBA/CaJ mouse strain is a useful model to study the cellular mechanisms underlying sex differences in physical activity and hearing.

Myelin is essential for rapid nerve impulse propagation and axon protection. Accordingly, defects in myelination or myelin maintenance lead to secondary axonal damage and subsequent degeneration. Studies utilizing genetic (CNPase-, MAG-, and PLP-null mice) and naturally occurring neuropathy models suggest that myelinating glia also support axons independently from myelin. Myelin protein zero (MPZ or P0), which is expressed only by Schwann cells, is critical for myelin formation and maintenance in the peripheral nervous system. Many mutations in MPZ are associated with demyelinating neuropathies (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1B [CMT1B]). Surprisingly, the substitution of threonine by methionine at position 124 of P0 (P0T124M) causes axonal neuropathy (CMT2J) with little to no myelin damage. This disease provides an excellent paradigm to understand how myelinating glia support axons independently from myelin. To study this, we generated targeted knock-in P0T124M mutant mice, a genetically authentic model of T124M-CMT2J neuropathy. Similar to patients, these mice develop axonopathy between 2 and 12 months of age, characterized by impaired motor performance, normal nerve conduction velocities but reduced compound motor action potential amplitudes, and axonal damage with only minor compact myelin modifications. Mechanistically, we detected metabolic changes that could lead to axonal degeneration, and prominent alterations in non-compact myelin domains such as paranodes, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and gap junctions, implicated in Schwann cell-axon communication and axonal metabolic support. Finally, we document perturbed mitochondrial size and distribution along P0T124M axons suggesting altered axonal transport. Our data suggest that Schwann cells in P0T124M mutant mice cannot provide axons with sufficient trophic support, leading to reduced ATP biosynthesis and axonopathy. In conclusion, the P0T124M mouse model faithfully reproduces the human neuropathy and represents a unique tool for identifying the molecular basis for glial support of axons.

目的 测量常用实验动物内耳前庭感觉区的实际面积和量化分析前庭各个感觉区的毛细胞总数或密度.方法 ①制作CBA/CaJ小鼠、裸鼠、SD大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、新西兰白兔和非洲黑长尾猴的球囊斑铺片和椭圆囊斑铺片及壶腹嵴铺片,所有铺片样品来自每种受试动物的6个颞骨,在放大100倍的光学显微镜下拍摄2个囊斑铺片的整体照片;②应用Image J软件的图像测量程序,测量了上述7种常用实验动物球囊斑和椭圆囊斑的实际面积;③用网格将球囊斑铺片和椭圆囊斑铺片照片上的前庭感觉区划分为一个个方块区域.在放大400倍的光学显微镜下准确计数每个方格内的毛细胞数量,然后将每个方格的毛细胞计数结果相加以获得每种受试动物球囊斑和椭圆囊斑上的毛细胞总数;④应用前庭小视野定量观察技术计算出前庭各个感觉区小视野范围内的毛细胞密度.结果 ①从小鼠、裸鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、白兔到猴的球囊斑面积依次为(0.193±0.009)、(0.216±0.008)、(0.323±0.010)、(0.528±0.035)、(0.687±0.065)、(1.237±0.075)、(1.371±0.032)mm2;椭圆囊斑的面积依次为(0.193±0.020)、(0.208±0.013)、(0.321±0.011)、(0.526±0.034)、(0.795±0.017)、(1.224±0.082)、(1.388±0.048)mm2;②从小鼠、裸鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、白兔到猴的球囊斑毛细胞的总数依次为(2 476.3±64.4)、(2 389.8±47.8)、(3 135.3±191.6)、(4 882.2±208.7)、(6 128.5±242.9)、(10 572.2±464.4)、(10 992.7±397.4)个;椭圆囊斑毛细胞的总数依次为(2 491.4±54.8)、(2 368.0±46.1)、(3 218.8±82.9)、(4 925.3±271.1)、(7 794.0±386.1)、(11 347.4±435.7)、(11 114.5±410.6)个;③从小鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、白兔和猴的球囊斑微纹区和周边区的毛细胞密度(毛细胞数量/0.03 mm2)依次为101.0±5.79(微纹区)/120.8±4.15(周边区),95.5±3.91(微纹区)/109.2±5.26(周边区),78.4±6.54(微纹区)/94.8±4.38(周边区),60.0±4.74(微纹区)/84.6±2.61(周边区),57.2±3.83(微纹区)/80.0±3.54(周边区),53.8±4.21(微纹区)/68.0±4.18(周边区).从小鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、白兔和猴的椭圆囊斑微纹区和周边区的毛细胞密度(毛细胞数量/0.03 mm2)依次为103.8±5.02(微纹区)/1 19.2±3.70(周边区),91.2±2.49(微纹区)/106.4±4.16(周边区),74.1±3.54(微纹区)/90.8±3.56(周边区),60.4±4.98(微纹区)/81.6±2.07(周边区),57.8±1.92(微纹区)/77.8±3.70(周边区),54.0±2.74(微纹区)/66.4±2.51(周边区).从小鼠、大鼠、豚鼠、南美栗鼠、白兔和猴的壶腹嵴毛细胞密度(毛细胞数量/0.03 mm2)依次为112.4±6.38,105.5±3.51,95.2±3.42,84.0±7.16,78.2±2.86,70.8±2.39.可见由于体型较小动物毛细胞的细胞体比体型较大动物毛细胞的细胞体小,因而体型较小动物的前庭毛细胞密度高于体型较大动物的前庭毛细胞密度.另外,每种实验动物球囊斑和椭圆囊斑微纹区的毛细胞密度相似,周边区的毛细胞密度也大致相同,但是同种实验动物囊斑微纹区的毛细胞密度却低于周边区的毛细胞密度.此外,壶腹嵴毛细胞的密度与球囊斑和椭圆囊斑周边区的毛细胞密度几乎相同.鉴于某些损害因素往往具有选择性破坏囊斑微纹区毛细胞的表现,因此囊斑微纹区的毛细胞密度应该与囊斑周边区的毛细胞密度区分开来进行统计,必要时甚至需要把Ⅰ型毛细胞和Ⅱ型毛细胞也区分开来分别予以病理学改变的定量评估.结论 本研究采用的前庭测量方法和获得的前庭各个感觉区的测量数据和毛细胞总数及毛细胞密度,为前庭病理学研究的定量分析提供了有益的参考经验和必要的参考数据.

Myelin is essential for rapid nerve impulse propagation and axon protection. Accordingly, defects in myelination or myelin maintenance lead to secondary axonal damage and subsequent degeneration. Studies utilizing genetic (CNPase-, MAG-, and PLP-null mice) and naturally occurring neuropathy models suggest that myelinating glia also support axons independently from myelin. Myelin protein zero (MPZ or P0), which is expressed only by Schwann cells, is critical for myelin formation and maintenance in the peripheral nervous system. Many mutations in MPZ are associated with demyelinating neuropathies (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1B [CMT1B]). Surprisingly, the substitution of threonine by methionine at position 124 of P0 (P0T124M) causes axonal neuropathy (CMT2J) with little to no myelin damage. This disease provides an excellent paradigm to understand how myelinating glia support axons independently from myelin. To study this, we generated targeted knock-in MpzT124M mutant mice, a genetically authentic model of T124M-CMT2J neuropathy. Similar to patients, these mice develop axonopathy between 2 and 12 months of age, characterized by impaired motor performance, normal nerve conduction velocities but reduced compound motor action potential amplitudes, and axonal damage with only minor compact myelin modifications. Mechanistically, we detected metabolic changes that could lead to axonal degeneration, and prominent alterations in non-compact myelin domains such as paranodes, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and gap junctions, implicated in Schwann cell-axon communication and axonal metabolic support. Finally, we document perturbed mitochondrial size and distribution along MpzT124M axons suggesting altered axonal transport. Our data suggest that Schwann cells in P0T124M mutant mice cannot provide axons with sufficient trophic support, leading to reduced ATP biosynthesis and axonopathy. In conclusion, the MpzT124M mouse model faithfully reproduces the human neuropathy and represents a unique tool for identifying the molecular basis for glial support of axons.

The acoustic startle reflex (ASR) amplitude can be enhanced or suppressed by noise-induced hearing loss or age-related hearing loss; however, little is known about how the ASR changes when ototoxic drugs destroy outer hair cells (OHCs) and inner hair cells (IHCs). High doses of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), a cholesterol-lowering drug used to treat Niemann-Pick Type disease type C1, initially destroy OHCs and then the IHCs 6-8 weeks later. Adult rats were treated with doses of HPβCD designed to produce a diversity of hair cell lesions and hearing losses. When HPβCD destroyed OHCs and IHCs in the extreme base of the cochlea and caused minimal high-frequency hearing loss, the ASR amplitudes were enhanced at 4-, 8- and 16 kHz. Enhanced ASR occurred during the first few weeks post-treatment when only OHCs were missing; little change in the ASR occurred 6-8-WK post-treatment. If HPβCD destroyed most OHCs and many IHCs in the basal half of the cochlea, high-frequency thresholds increased ∼50 dB, and ASR amplitudes were reduced ∼50% at 4-, 8- and 16-kHz. The ASR amplitude reduction occurred in the first few weeks post-treatment when the OHCs were degenerating. The ASR was largely abolished when most of the OHCs were missing over the basal two-thirds of the cochlea and a 40-50 dB hearing loss was present at most frequencies. These results indicate that high-doses of HPβCD generally lead to a decline in ASR amplitude as OHCs degenerate; however, ASR amplitudes were enhanced in a few cases when hair cell loss was confined to the extreme base of the cochlea.