LGR5-Positive Supporting Cells Survive Ototoxic Trauma in the Adult Mouse Cochlea

Natalia Smith-Cortinez, Rana Yadak, Ferry G J Hendriksen, Eefje Sanders, Dyan Ramekers, Robert J Stokroos, Huib Versnel, Louise V Straatman

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Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss is mainly caused by irreversible damage to sensory hair cells (HCs). A subgroup of supporting cells (SCs) in the cochlea express leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), a marker for tissue-resident stem cells. LGR5+ SCs could be used as an endogenous source of stem cells for regeneration of HCs to treat hearing loss. Here, we report long-term presence of LGR5+ SCs in the mature adult cochlea and survival of LGR5+ SCs after severe ototoxic trauma characterized by partial loss of inner HCs and complete loss of outer HCs. Surviving LGR5+ SCs (confirmed by GFP expression) were located in the third row of Deiters' cells. We observed a change in the intracellular localization of GFP, from the nucleus in normal-hearing to cytoplasm and membrane in deafened mice. These data suggests that the adult mammalian cochlea possesses properties essential for regeneration even after severe ototoxic trauma.

Original languageEnglish
Article number729625
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Volume14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2021

Keywords

  • LGR5+ supporting cells
  • adult mammalian cochlea
  • deafness
  • inner ear regeneration
  • ototoxicity

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