Loss of osteoprotegerin expression in the inner ear causes degeneration of the cochlear nerve and sensorineural hearing loss.

Neurobiol Dis

Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Published: August 2013

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a key regulator of bone remodeling. Mutations and variations in the OPG gene cause many human diseases that are characterized by not only skeletal abnormalities but also poorly understood hearing loss: Paget's disease, osteoporosis, and celiac disease. To gain insight into the mechanisms of hearing loss in OPG deficiency, we studied OPG knockout (Opg(-/-)) mice. We show that they develop sensorineural hearing loss, in addition to conductive hearing loss due to abnormal middle-ear bones. OPG deficiency caused demyelination and degeneration of the cochlear nerve in vivo. It also activated ERK, sensitized spiral ganglion cells (SGC) to apoptosis, and inhibited proliferation and survival of cochlear stem cells in vitro, which could be rescued by treatment with exogenous OPG, an ERK inhibitor, or bisphosphonate. Our results demonstrate a novel role for OPG in the regulation of SGC survival, and suggest a mechanism for sensorineural hearing loss in OPG deficiency.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3752395PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2013.04.008DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hearing loss
24
sensorineural hearing
12
opg deficiency
12
loss osteoprotegerin
8
degeneration cochlear
8
cochlear nerve
8
opg
8
loss opg
8
loss
7
hearing
6

Similar Publications

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the presence, type, and severity of hearing losses in individuals with Duane Retraction Syndrome (DRS), and to ascertain if there are anomalies in the auditory pathways at the brainstem level in DRS, believed to arise from aberrant interaction between cranial nerves and brainstem nuclei.

Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral centre.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A fifth world case of autosomal recessive Siddiqi syndrome (SIDDIS) related to ene is presented. In a consanguineous Lezgin (a Dagestan ethnicity) family, there were two affected brothers aged 28 yrs (proband, personally examined) and 32 yrs. Whole-exome sequencing followed by familial Sanger sequencing detected a novel missence variant c.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

According to the literature, a number of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have an ototoxic effect. The mechanism of hearing dysfunction due to the use of AEDs is not well known. The main clinical manifestations of the cochleotoxic effect of the drugs are: tinnitus, sensorineural hearing loss, impaired pitch perception, hyperacusis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Pompe disease is a glycogen storage disease primarily affecting striated muscles. Despite its main manifestation in muscles, patients with Pompe disease may exhibit non-muscle symptoms, such as hearing loss, suggesting potential involvement of sensory organs or the nervous system due to glycogen accumulation.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of concomitant small and large fiber neuropathy in patients with Pompe disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hearing loss (HL) in mid-life has been suggested as a risk factor for cognitive decline. It is unclear whether this relationship is due to deprivation of auditory input alone, degenerative processes, or a combination. Animal models are useful to investigate underlying neural mechanisms as human studies can be confounded by various factors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!