Expression of candidate markers for stem/progenitor cells in the inner ears of developing and adult GFAP and nestin promoter-GFP transgenic mice.

Loss of hair cells in the mammalian cochlea leads to permanent sensori-neural hearing loss. Hair cells degenerate and their places are taken by phalangeal scars formed by non-sensory supporting cells. Current data indicate that early postnatal post-mitotic supporting cells can proliferate and differentiate into hair cell-like cells in culture.