Forced activation of Wnt signaling alters morphogenesis and sensory organ identity in the chicken inner ear

A cochlear progenitor pool influences patterning of the mammalian sensory epithelium via MYBL2

During embryonic development, Wnt signaling influences both proliferation and sensory formation in the cochlea. How this dual nature of Wnt signaling is coordinated is unknown. In this study, we define a novel role for a Wnt-regulated gene, Mybl2, which was already known to be important for proliferation, in determining the size and patterning of the sensory epithelium in the murine cochlea. Using a quantitative spatial analysis approach and analyzing Mybl2 loss-of-function, we show that Mybl2 promoted proliferation in the inner sulcus domain but limited the size of the sensory domain by influencing their adjoining boundary position via Jag1 regulation during development. Mybl2 loss-of-function simultaneously decreased proliferation in the inner sulcus and increased the size of the sensory domain, resulting in a wider sensory epithelium with ectopic inner hair cell formation during late embryonic stages. These data suggest that progenitor cells in the inner sulcus determine boundary formation and pattern the sensory epithelium via MYBL2.

The Effects of Viral Infections on the Molecular and Signaling Pathways Involved in the Development of the PAOs

Cytomegalovirus infection contributes to 10-30% of congenital hearing loss in children. Vertebrate peripheral auditory organs include the outer, middle, and inner ear. Their development is regulated by multiple signaling pathways. However, most ear diseases due to viral infections are due to congenital infections and reactivation and affect healthy adults to a lesser extent. This may be due to the fact that viral infections affect signaling pathways that are important for the development of peripheral hearing organs. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the relationship between viral infections and the signaling pathways involved in the development of peripheral hearing organs is important for the prevention and treatment of ear diseases. In this review, we summarize the effects of viruses on signaling pathways and signaling molecules in the development of peripheral auditory organs.

Hair cell regeneration, reinnervation, and restoration of hearing thresholds in the avian hearing organ

Hearing starts, at the cellular level, with mechanoelectrical transduction by sensory hair cells. Sound information is then transmitted via afferent synaptic connections with auditory neurons. Frequency information is encoded by the location of hair cells along the cochlear duct. Loss of hair cells, synapses, or auditory neurons leads to permanent hearing loss in mammals. Birds, in contrast, regenerate auditory hair cells and functionally recover from hearing loss. Here, we characterized regeneration and reinnervation in sisomicin-deafened chickens and found that afferent neurons contact regenerated hair cells at the tips of basal projections. In contrast to development, synaptic specializations are established at these locations distant from the hair cells' bodies. The protrusions then contracted as regenerated hair cells matured and became functional 2 weeks post-deafening. We found that auditory thresholds recovered after 4-5 weeks. We interpret the regeneration-specific synaptic reestablishment as a location-preserving process that might be needed to maintain tonotopic fidelity.

Sensory progenitors influence patterning of the mammalian auditory sensory epithelium

During embryonic development Wnt signaling has been shown to influence proliferation and sensory formation in the cochlea. How the dual nature of Wnt signaling is coordinated is unknown. In this study, we define a novel role for a Wnt regulated gene, Mybl2, which was already known to be important for proliferation, in influencing patterning and determining the size of the sensory epithelium in the murine cochlea. Using a quantitative spatial analysis approach and analyzing Mybl2 loss-of-function cochleas, we show that Mybl2 simultaneously specifies the progenitor niche and the size of the sensory domain, and influences the positioning of the medial sensory domain boundary via Jag1 regulation during the mid-gestational stages. Mybl2 conditional knockout resulted in a decrease of proliferation within the progenitor niche. During the late embryonic stages, conditional knockout of Mybl2 produced a wider sensory epithelium across the radial axis with an increase in ectopic inner hair cell formation. These data suggest that Mybl2 -positive progenitors play a role in boundary formation and patterning the sensory epithelium.

Summary Statement

Mybl2 is a Wnt-regulated gene encoding a transcription factor that is expressed in the cochlear progenitor niche and influences the boundary formation between the niche and the sensory domain during mid-cochlear developmental stages, thereby impacting the size of the sensory epithelium.

Regulation of otic neurosensory specification by Notch and Wnt signalling: insights from RNA-seq screenings in the embryonic chicken inner ear

The Notch and Wnt signalling pathways play key roles in the formation of inner ear sensory organs, but little is known about their transcriptional effectors and targets in this context. Here, we perturbed Notch and Wnt activities in the embryonic chicken otic vesicle using pharmacological treatment or in ovo electroporation of plasmid DNA, and used RNA-Seq to analyse the resulting changes in gene expression. Compared to pharmacological treatments, in ovo electroporation changed the expression of fewer genes, a likely consequence of the variability and mosaicism of transfection. The pharmacological inhibition of Notch activity induced a rapid change in the expression of known effectors of this pathway and genes associated with neurogenesis, consistent with a switch towards an otic neurosensory fate. The Wnt datasets contained many genes associated with a neurosensory biological function, confirming the importance of this pathway for neurosensory specification in the otocyst. Finally, the results of a preliminary gain-of-function screening of selected transcription factors and Wnt signalling components suggest that the endogenous programs of otic neurosensory specification are very robust, and in general unaffected by the overexpression of a single factor. Altogether this work provides new insights into the effectors and candidate targets of the Notch and Wnt pathways in the early developing inner ear and could serve as a useful reference for future functional genomics experiments in the embryonic avian inner ear.

Pax2a, Sp5a and Sp5l act downstream of Fgf and Wnt to coordinate sensory-neural patterning in the inner ear

In zebrafish, sensory epithelia and neuroblasts of the inner ear form simultaneously in abutting medial and lateral domains, respectively, in the floor of the otic vesicle. Previous studies support regulatory roles for Fgf and Wnt, but how signaling is coordinated is poorly understood. We investigated this problem using pharmacological and transgenic methods to alter Fgf or Wnt signaling from early placodal stages to evaluate later changes in growth and patterning. Blocking Fgf at any stage reduces proliferation of otic tissue and terminates both sensory and neural specification. Wnt promotes proliferation in the otic vesicle but is not required for sensory or neural development. However, sustained overactivation of Wnt laterally expands sensory epithelia and blocks neurogenesis. pax2a, sp5a and sp5l are coregulated by Fgf and Wnt and show overlapping expression in the otic placode and vesicle. Gain- and loss-of-function studies show that these genes are together required for Wnt's suppression of neurogenesis, as well as some aspects of sensory development. Thus, pax2a, sp5a and sp5l are critical for mediating Fgf and Wnt signaling to promote spatially localized sensory and neural development.

Molecular Pathways Modulating Sensory Hair Cell Regeneration in Adult Mammalian Cochleae: Progress and Perspectives

Noise-induced, drug-related, and age-related disabling hearing loss is a major public health problem and affect approximately 466 million people worldwide. In non-mammalian vertebrates, the death of sensory hair cells (HCs) induces the proliferation and transdifferentiation of adjacent supporting cells into new HCs; however, this capacity is lost in juvenile and adult mammalian cochleae leading to permanent hearing loss. At present, cochlear implants and hearing devices are the only available treatments and can help patients to a certain extent; however, no biological approach or FDA-approved drug is effective to treat disabling hearing loss and restore hearing. Recently, regeneration of mammalian cochlear HCs by modulating molecular pathways or transcription factors has offered some promising results, although the immaturity of the regenerated HCs remains the biggest concern. Furthermore, most of the research done is in neonates and not in adults. This review focuses on critically summarizing the studies done in adult mammalian cochleae and discusses various strategies to elucidate novel transcription factors for better therapeutics.

Developmental maturation of presynaptic ribbon numbers in chicken basilar-papilla hair cells and its perturbation by long-term overexpression of Wnt9a

The avian basilar papilla is a valuable model system for exploring the developmental determination and differentiation of sensory hair cells and their innervation. In the mature basilar papilla, hair cells form a well-known continuum between two extreme types-tall and short hair cells-that differ strikingly in their innervation. Previous work identified Wnt9a as a crucial factor in this differentiation. Here, we quantified the number and volume of immunolabelled presynaptic ribbons in tall and short hair cells of chickens, from developmental stages shortly after ribbons first appear to the mature posthatching condition. Two longitudinal locations were sampled, responding to best frequencies of approximately 1 kHz and approximately 5.5 kHz when mature. We found significant reductions of ribbon number during normal development in the tall-hair-cell domains, but stable, low numbers in the short-hair-cell domains. Exposing developing hair cells to continuous, excessive Wnt9a levels (through virus-mediated overexpression) led to transiently abnormal high numbers of ribbons and a delayed reduction of ribbon numbers at all sampled locations. Thus, (normally) short-hair-cell domains also showed tall-hair-cell like behaviour, confirming previous findings (Munnamalai et al., 2017). However, at 3 weeks posthatching, ribbon numbers had decreased to the location-specific typical values of control hair cells at all sampled locations. Furthermore, as shown previously, mature hair cells at the basal, high-frequency location harboured larger ribbons than more apically located hair cells. This was true for both normal and Wnt9a-overexposed basilar papillae.

A gradient of Wnt activity positions the neurosensory domains of the inner ear

The auditory and vestibular organs of the inner ear and the neurons that innervate them originate from Sox2-positive and Notch-active neurosensory domains specified at early stages of otic development. Sox2 is initially present throughout the otic placode and otocyst, and then it becomes progressively restricted to a ventro-medial domain. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches in the chicken otocyst, we show that these early changes in Sox2 expression are regulated in a dose-dependent manner by Wnt/beta-catenin signalling. Both high and very low levels of Wnt activity repress Sox2 and neurosensory competence. However, intermediate levels allow the maintenance of Sox2 expression and sensory organ formation. We propose that a dorso-ventral (high-to-low) gradient and wave of Wnt activity initiated at the dorsal rim of the otic placode progressively restricts Sox2 and Notch activity to the ventral half of the otocyst, thereby positioning the neurosensory competent domains in the inner ear.

Origin of acoustic-vestibular ganglionic neuroblasts in chick embryos and their sensory connections

The inner ear is a complex three-dimensional sensory structure with auditory and vestibular functions. It originates from the otic placode, which generates the sensory elements of the membranous labyrinth and all the ganglionic neuronal precursors. Neuroblast specification is the first cell differentiation event. In the chick, it takes place over a long embryonic period from the early otic cup stage to at least stage HH25. The differentiating ganglionic neurons attain a precise innervation pattern with sensory patches, a process presumably governed by a network of dendritic guidance cues which vary with the local micro-environment. To study the otic neurogenesis and topographically-ordered innervation pattern in birds, a quail-chick chimaeric graft technique was used in accordance with a previously determined fate-map of the otic placode. Each type of graft containing the presumptive domain of topologically-arranged placodal sensory areas was shown to generate neuroblasts. The differentiated grafted neuroblasts established dendritic contacts with a variety of sensory patches. These results strongly suggest that, rather than reverse-pathfinding, the relevant role in otic dendritic process guidance is played by long-range diffusing molecules.

β-Catenin signaling is essential for mammalian larynx recanalization and the establishment of vocal fold progenitor cells

Congenital laryngeal webs result from failure of vocal fold separation during development in utero Infants present with life-threatening respiratory problems at birth, and extensive lifelong difficulties in breathing and voicing. The molecular mechanisms that instruct vocal fold formation are rarely studied. Here, we show, for the first time, that conditional inactivation of the gene encoding β-catenin in the primitive laryngopharyngeal epithelium leads to failure in separation of the vocal folds, which approximates the gross phenotype of laryngeal webbing. These defects can be traced to a series of morphogenesis defects, including delayed fusion of the epithelial lamina and formation of the laryngeal cecum, failed separation of the larynx and esophagus with reduced and disorganized cartilages and muscles. Parallel to these morphogenesis defects, inactivation of β-catenin disrupts stratification of epithelial cells and establishment of p63⁺ basal progenitors. These findings provide the first line of evidence that links β-catenin function to the cell proliferation and progenitor establishment during larynx and vocal fold development.

Wnt activation followed by Notch inhibition promotes mitotic hair cell regeneration in the postnatal mouse cochlea

Hair cell (HC) loss is the main cause of permanent hearing loss in mammals. Previous studies have reported that in neonatal mice cochleae, Wnt activation promotes supporting cell (SC) proliferation and Notch inhibition promotes the trans-differentiation of SCs into HCs. However, Wnt activation alone fails to regenerate significant amounts of new HCs, Notch inhibition alone regenerates the HCs at the cost of exhausting the SC population, which leads to the death of the newly regenerated HCs. Mitotic HC regeneration might preserve the SC number while regenerating the HCs, which could be a better approach for long-term HC regeneration. We present a two-step gene manipulation, Wnt activation followed by Notch inhibition, to accomplish mitotic regeneration of HCs while partially preserving the SC number. We show that Wnt activation followed by Notch inhibition strongly promotes the mitotic regeneration of new HCs in both normal and neomycin-damaged cochleae while partially preserving the SC number. Lineage tracing shows that the majority of the mitotically regenerated HCs are derived specifically from the Lgr5⁺ progenitors with or without HC damage. Our findings suggest that the co-regulation of Wnt and Notch signaling might provide a better approach to mitotically regenerate HCs from Lgr5⁺ progenitor cells.

Wnt9a Can Influence Cell Fates and Neural Connectivity across the Radial Axis of the Developing Cochlea

Vertebrate hearing organs manifest cellular asymmetries across the radial axis that underlie afferent versus efferent circuits between the inner ear and the brain. Therefore, understanding the molecular control of patterning across this axis has important functional implications. Radial axis patterning begins before the cells become postmitotic and is likely linked to the onset of asymmetric expression of secreted factors adjacent to the sensory primordium. This study explores one such asymmetrically expressed gene, Wnt9a, which becomes restricted to the neural edge of the avian auditory organ, the basilar papilla, by embryonic day 5 (E5). Radial patterning is disrupted when Wnt9a is overexpressed throughout the prosensory domain beginning on E3. Sexes were pooled for analysis and sex differences were not studied. Analysis of gene expression and afferent innervation on E6 suggests that ectopic Wnt9a expands the neural-side fate, possibly by re-specifying the abneural fate. RNA sequencing reveals quantitative changes, not only in Wnt-pathway genes, but also in genes involved in axon guidance and cytoskeletal remodeling. By E18, these early patterning effects are manifest as profound changes in cell fates [short hair cells (HCs) are missing], ribbon synapse numbers, outward ionic currents, and efferent innervation. These observations suggest that Wnt9a may be one of the molecules responsible for breaking symmetry across the radial axis of the avian auditory organ. Indirectly, Wnt9a can regulate the mature phenotype whereby afferent axons predominantly innervate neural-side tall HCs, resulting in more ribbon synapses per HC compared with abneural-side short HCs with few ribbons and large efferent synapses.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Wnts are a class of secreted factors that are best known for stimulating cell division in development and cancer. However, in certain contexts during development, Wnt-expressing cells can direct neighboring cells to take on specific fates. This study suggests that the Wnt9a ligand may play such a role in the developing hearing organ of the bird cochlea. This was shown through patterning defects that occur in response to the overexpression of Wnt9a. This manipulation increased one type of sensory hair cell (tall HCs) at the expense of another (short HCs) that is usually located furthest from the Wnt9a source. The extraneous tall HCs that replaced short HCs showed some physiological properties and neuronal connections consistent with a fate switch.

Atoh1 regulation in the cochlea: more than just transcription

More than 80% of all cases of deafness are related to the death or degeneration of cochlear hair cells and the associated spiral ganglion neurons, and a lack of regeneration of these cells leads to permanent hearing loss. Therefore, the regeneration of lost hair cells is an important goal for the treatment of deafness. Atoh1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that is critical in both the development and regeneration of cochlear hair cells. Atoh1 is transcriptionally regulated by several signaling pathways, including Notch and Wnt signalings. At the post-translational level, it is regulated through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that manipulation of these signaling pathways not only controls development, but also leads to the regeneration of cochlear hair cells after damage. Recent progress toward understanding the signaling networks involved in hair cell development and regeneration has led to the development of new strategies to replace lost hair cells. This review focuses on our current understanding of the signaling pathways that regulate Atoh1 in the cochlea.

Modulation of Wnt Signaling Enhances Inner Ear Organoid Development in 3D Culture

Stem cell-derived inner ear sensory epithelia are a promising source of tissues for treating patients with hearing loss and dizziness. We recently demonstrated how to generate inner ear sensory epithelia, designated as inner ear organoids, from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in a self-organizing 3D culture. Here we improve the efficiency of this culture system by elucidating how Wnt signaling activity can drive the induction of otic tissue. We found that a carefully timed treatment with the potent Wnt agonist CHIR99021 promotes induction of otic vesicles—a process that was previously self-organized by unknown mechanisms. The resulting otic-like vesicles have a larger lumen size and contain a greater number of Pax8/Pax2-positive otic progenitor cells than organoids derived without the Wnt agonist. Additionally, these otic-like vesicles give rise to large inner ear organoids with hair cells whose morphological, biochemical and functional properties are indistinguishable from those of vestibular hair cells in the postnatal mouse inner ear. We conclude that Wnt signaling plays a similar role during inner ear organoid formation as it does during inner ear development in the embryo.

Role of Wnt and Notch signaling in regulating hair cell regeneration in the cochlea

Sensory hair cells in the inner ear are responsible for sound recognition. Damage to hair cells in adult mammals causes permanent hearing impairment because these cells cannot regenerate. By contrast, newborn mammals possess limited regenerative capacity because of the active participation of various signaling pathways, including Wnt and Notch signaling. The Wnt and Notch pathways are highly sophisticated and conserved signaling pathways that control multiple cellular events necessary for the formation of sensory hair cells. Both signaling pathways allow resident supporting cells to regenerate hair cells in the neonatal cochlea. In this regard, Wnt and Notch signaling has gained increased research attention in hair cell regeneration. This review presents the current understanding of the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways in the auditory portion of the inner ear and discusses the possibilities of controlling these pathways with the hair cell fate determiner Atoh1 to regulate hair cell regeneration in the mammalian cochlea.

Fgf3 and Fgf16 expression patterns define spatial and temporal domains in the developing chick inner ear

The inner ear is a morphologically complex sensory structure with auditory and vestibular functions. The developing otic epithelium gives rise to neurosensory and non-sensory elements of the adult membranous labyrinth. Extrinsic and intrinsic signals manage the patterning and cell specification of the developing otic epithelium by establishing lineage-restricted compartments defined in turn by differential expression of regulatory genes. FGF3 and FGF16 are excellent candidates to govern these developmental events. Using the chick inner ear, we show that Fgf3 expression is present in the borders of all developing cristae. Strong Fgf16 expression was detected in a portion of the developing vertical and horizontal pouches, whereas the cristae show weaker or undetected Fgf16 expression at different developmental stages. Concerning the rest of the vestibular sensory elements, both the utricular and saccular maculae were Fgf3 positive. Interestingly, strong Fgf16 expression delimited these Fgf16-negative sensory patches. The Fgf3-negative macula neglecta and the Fgf3-positive macula lagena were included within weakly Fgf16-expressing areas. Therefore, different FGF-mediated mechanisms might regulate the specification of the anterior (utricular and saccular) and posterior (neglecta and lagena) maculae. In the developing cochlear duct, dynamic Fgf3 and Fgf16 expression suggests their cooperation in the early specification and later cell differentiation in the hearing system. The requirement of Fgf3 and Fgf16 genes in endolymphatic apparatus development and neurogenesis are discussed. Based on these observations, FGF3 and FGF16 seem to be key signaling pathways that control the inner ear plan by defining epithelial identities within the developing otic epithelium.

Tol2-Mediated Delivery of miRNAs to the Chicken Otocyst Using Plasmid Electroporation

The avian embryo has a well-documented history as a model system for the study of neurogenesis, morphogenesis, and cell fate specification. This includes studies of the chicken inner ear that employ in ovo electroporation, in conjunction with the Tol2 system, to yield robust long-term transgene expression. Capitalizing on the success of this delivery method, we describe a modified version of the Tol2 expression vector that readily accepts the insertion of a microRNA-encoding artificial intron. This offers a strategy to investigate the possible roles of different candidate microRNAs in ear development by overexpression. Here, we describe the general design of this modified vector and the electroporation procedure. This approach is expected to facilitate phenotypic screening of candidate miRNAs to explore their bioactivity in vivo.

The Wnt and Notch signalling pathways in the developing cochlea: Formation of hair cells and induction of regenerative potential

The Wnt and Notch signalling pathways control proliferation, specification, and cell fate choices during embryonic development and in adult life. Hence, there is much interest in both signalling pathways in the context of stem cell biology and tissue regeneration. In the developing ear, the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways specify otic cells and refine the ventral boundary of the otic placode. Since both signalling pathways control events essential for the formation of sensory cells, such as proliferation and hair cell differentiation, these pathways could hold promise for the regeneration of hair cells in adult mammalian cochlea. Indeed, modulating either the Wnt or Notch pathways can trigger the regenerative potential of supporting cells. In the neonatal mouse cochlea, Notch-mediated regeneration of hair cells partially depends on Wnt signalling, which implies an interaction between the pathways. This review presents how the Wnt and Notch signalling pathways regulate the formation of sensory hair cells and how modulating their activity induces regenerative potential in the mammalian cochlea.

Sensory hair cell development and regeneration: similarities and differences

Sensory hair cells are mechanoreceptors of the auditory and vestibular systems and are crucial for hearing and balance. In adult mammals, auditory hair cells are unable to regenerate, and damage to these cells results in permanent hearing loss. By contrast, hair cells in the chick cochlea and the zebrafish lateral line are able to regenerate, prompting studies into the signaling pathways, morphogen gradients and transcription factors that regulate hair cell development and regeneration in various species. Here, we review these findings and discuss how various signaling pathways and factors function to modulate sensory hair cell development and regeneration. By comparing and contrasting development and regeneration, we also highlight the utility and limitations of using defined developmental cues to drive mammalian hair cell regeneration.

Making sense of Wnt signaling-linking hair cell regeneration to development

Wnt signaling is a highly conserved pathway crucial for development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Secreted Wnt ligands bind Frizzled receptors to regulate diverse processes such as axis patterning, cell division, and cell fate specification. They also serve to govern self-renewal of somatic stem cells in several adult tissues. The complexity of the pathway can be attributed to the myriad of Wnt and Frizzled combinations as well as its diverse context-dependent functions. In the developing mouse inner ear, Wnt signaling plays diverse roles, including specification of the otic placode and patterning of the otic vesicle. At later stages, its activity governs sensory hair cell specification, cell cycle regulation, and hair cell orientation. In regenerating sensory organs from non-mammalian species, Wnt signaling can also regulate the extent of proliferative hair cell regeneration. This review describes the current knowledge of the roles of Wnt signaling and Wnt-responsive cells in hair cell development and regeneration. We also discuss possible future directions and the potential application and limitation of Wnt signaling in augmenting hair cell regeneration.

The cochlear sensory epithelium derives from Wnt responsive cells in the dorsomedial otic cup

Wnt1 and Wnt3a secreted from the dorsal neural tube were previously shown to regulate a gene expression program in the dorsal otic vesicle that is necessary for vestibular morphogenesis (Riccomagno et al., 2005. Genes Dev. 19, 1612-1623). Unexpectedly, Wnt1(-/-); Wnt3a(-/-) embryos also displayed a pronounced defect in the outgrowth of the ventrally derived cochlear duct. To determine how Wnt signaling in the dorsal otocyst contributes to cochlear development we performed a series of genetic fate mapping experiments using two independent Wnt responsive driver strains (TopCreER and Gbx2(CreER)) that when crossed to inducible responder lines (Rosa(lacZ) or Rosa(zsGreen)) permanently labeled dorsomedial otic progenitors and their derivatives. Tamoxifen time course experiments revealed that most vestibular structures showed some degree of labeling when recombination was induced between E7.75 and E12.5, consistent with continuous Wnt signaling activity in this tissue. Remarkably, a population of Wnt responsive cells in the dorsal otocyst was also found to contribute to the sensory epithelium of the cochlear duct, including auditory hair and support cells. Similar results were observed with both TopCreER and Gbx2(CreER) strains. The ventral displacement of Wnt responsive cells followed a spatiotemporal sequence that initiated in the anterior otic cup at, or immediately prior to, the 17-somite stage (E9) and then spread progressively to the posterior pole of the otic vesicle by the 25-somite stage (E9.5). These lineage-tracing experiments identify the earliest known origin of auditory sensory progenitors within a population of Wnt responsive cells in the dorsomedial otic cup.

Differential regulation of Hes/Hey genes during inner ear development

Notch signaling plays a crucial role during inner ear development and regeneration. Hes/Hey genes encode for bHLH transcription factors identified as Notch targets. We have studied the expression and regulation of Hes/Hey genes during inner ear development in the chicken embryo. Among several Hes/Hey genes examined, only Hey1 and Hes5 map to the sensory regions, although with salient differences. Hey1 expression follows Jag1 expression except at early prosensory stages while Hes5 expression corresponds well to Dl1 expression throughout otic development. Although Hey1 and Hes5 are direct Notch downstream targets, they differ in the level of Notch required for activation. Moreover, they also differ in mRNA stability, showing different temporal decays after Notch blockade. In addition, Bmp, Wnt and Fgf pathways also modify Hey1 and Hes5 expression in the inner ear. Particularly, the Wnt pathway modulates Hey1 and Jag1 expression. Finally, gain of function experiments show that Hey1 and Hes5 cross-regulate each other in a complex manner. Both Hey1 and Hes5 repress Dl1 and Hes5 expression, suggesting that they prevent the transition to differentiation stages, probably by preventing Atoh1 expression. In spite of its association with Jag1, Hey1 does not seem to be instrumental for lateral induction as it does not promote Jag1 expression. We suggest that, besides being both targets of Notch, Hey1 and Hes5 are subject to a rather complex regulation that includes the stability of their transcripts, cross regulation and other signaling pathways.

Gene-expression analysis of hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line

Deafness caused by the terminal loss of inner ear hair cells is one of the most common sensory diseases. However, nonmammalian animals (e.g., birds, amphibians, and fish) regenerate damaged hair cells. To understand better the reasons underpinning such disparities in regeneration among vertebrates, we set out to define at high resolution the changes in gene expression associated with the regeneration of hair cells in the zebrafish lateral line. We performed RNA-Seq analyses on regenerating support cells purified by FACS. The resulting expression data were subjected to pathway enrichment analyses, and the differentially expressed genes were validated in vivo via whole-mount in situ hybridizations. We discovered that cell cycle regulators are expressed hours before the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling following hair cell death. We propose that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is not involved in regulating the onset of proliferation but governs proliferation at later stages of regeneration. In addition, and in marked contrast to mammals, our data clearly indicate that the Notch pathway is significantly down-regulated shortly after injury, thus uncovering a key difference between the zebrafish and mammalian responses to hair cell injury. Taken together, our findings lay the foundation for identifying differences in signaling pathway regulation that could be exploited as potential therapeutic targets to promote either sensory epithelium or hair cell regeneration in mammals.

Embryological manipulations in the developing Xenopus inner ear reveal an intrinsic role for Wnt signaling in dorsal-ventral patterning

BACKGROUND

The inner ear develops from an ectodermal thickening known as the otic placode into a complex structure that is asymmetrical along both the anterior-posterior (A-P) and dorsal-ventral (D-V) axes. Embryological manipulations in Xenopus allow us to test regenerative potential along specific axes and timing of axis determination. We explore the role of Wnt signaling with gain and loss of function experiments.

RESULTS

In contrast to A or P half ablations, D or V half ablations almost never result in mirror duplications or normal ears. Instead there is a loss of structures, especially those associated with the ablated region. Rotation experiments inverting the D-V axis reveal that it is determined by stage 24-26 which is just before expression of the dorsal otic marker Wnt3a. Conditional blocking of canonical Wnt signaling results in reductions in the number of sensory organs and semicircular canals which could be placed in one of three categories, the most common phenotypes being similar to those seen after dorsal ablations.

CONCLUSIONS

There is less regenerative potential along the D-V axis. Wnt3a protein alone is sufficient to rescue the severe loss of inner ear structures resulting from dorsal but not ventral half ablations.

Sensational placodes: neurogenesis in the otic and olfactory systems

For both the intricate morphogenetic layout of the sensory cells in the ear and the elegantly radial arrangement of the sensory neurons in the nose, numerous signaling molecules and genetic determinants are required in concert to generate these specialized neuronal populations that help connect us to our environment. In this review, we outline many of the proteins and pathways that play essential roles in the differentiation of otic and olfactory neurons and their integration into their non-neuronal support structures. In both cases, well-known signaling pathways together with region-specific factors transform thickened ectodermal placodes into complex sense organs containing numerous, diverse neuronal subtypes. Olfactory and otic placodes, in combination with migratory neural crest stem cells, generate highly specialized subtypes of neuronal cells that sense sound, position and movement in space, odors and pheromones throughout our lives.

Ectopic expression of activated notch or SOX2 reveals similar and unique roles in the development of the sensory cell progenitors in the mammalian inner ear

Hearing impairment or vestibular dysfunction in humans often results from a permanent loss of critical cell types in the sensory regions of the inner ear, including hair cells, supporting cells, or cochleovestibular neurons. These important cell types arise from a common sensory or neurosensory progenitor, although little is known about how these progenitors are specified. Studies have shown that Notch signaling and the transcription factor Sox2 are required for the development of these lineages. Previously we and others demonstrated that ectopic activation of Notch can direct nonsensory cells to adopt a sensory fate, indicating a role for Notch in early specification events. Here, we explore the relationship between Notch and SOX2 by ectopically activating these factors in nonsensory regions of the mouse cochlea, and demonstrate that, similar to Notch, SOX2 can specify sensory progenitors, consistent with a role downstream of Notch signaling. However, we also show that Notch has a unique role in promoting the proliferation of the sensory progenitors. We further demonstrate that Notch can only induce ectopic sensory regions within a certain time window of development, and that the ectopic hair cells display specialized stereocilia bundles similar to endogenous hair cells. These results demonstrate that Notch and SOX2 can both drive the sensory program in nonsensory cells, indicating these factors may be useful in cell replacement strategies in the inner ear.

The role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in proliferation and regeneration of the developing basilar papilla and lateral line

Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been implicated in multiple developmental events including the regulation of proliferation, cell fate, and differentiation. In the inner ear, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required from the earliest stages of otic placode specification through the formation of the mature cochlea. Within the avian inner ear, the basilar papilla (BP), many Wnt pathway components are expressed throughout development. Here, using reporter constructs for Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we show that this pathway is active throughout the BP (E6-E14) in both hair cells (HCs) and supporting cells. To characterize the role of Wnt/β-catenin activity in developing HCs, we performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments in vitro and in vivo in the chick BP and zebrafish lateral line systems, respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of Wnt signaling in the BP and lateral line neuromasts during the periods of proliferation and HC differentiation resulted in reduced proliferation and decreased HC formation. Conversely, pharmacological activation of this pathway significantly increased the number of HCs in the lateral line and BP. Results demonstrated that this increase was the result of up-regulated cell proliferation within the Sox2-positive cells of the prosensory domains. Furthermore, Wnt/β-catenin activation resulted in enhanced HC regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line following aminoglycoside-induced HC loss. Combined, our data suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling specifies the number of cells within the prosensory domain and subsequently the number of HCs. This ability to induce proliferation suggests that the modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling could play an important role in therapeutic HC regeneration.

The genetics of hair cell development and regeneration

Sensory hair cells are exquisitely sensitive vertebrate mechanoreceptors that mediate the senses of hearing and balance. Understanding the factors that regulate the development of these cells is important, not only to increase our understanding of ear development and its functional physiology but also to shed light on how these cells may be replaced therapeutically. In this review, we describe the signals and molecular mechanisms that initiate hair cell development in vertebrates, with particular emphasis on the transcription factor Atoh1, which is both necessary and sufficient for hair cell development. We then discuss recent findings on how microRNAs may modulate the formation and maturation of hair cells. Last, we review recent work on how hair cells are regenerated in many vertebrate groups and the factors that conspire to prevent this regeneration in mammals.

Notch signaling during cell fate determination in the inner ear

In the inner ear, Notch signaling has been proposed to specify the sensory regions, as well as regulate the differentiation of hair cells and supporting cell within those regions. In addition, Notch plays an important role in otic neurogenesis, by determining which cells differentiate as neurons, sensory cells and non-sensory cells. Here, I review the evidence for the complex and myriad roles Notch participates in during inner ear development. A particular challenge for those studying ear development and Notch is to decipher how activation of a single pathway can lead to different outcomes within the ear, which may include changes in the intrinsic properties of the cell, Notch modulation, and potential non-canonical pathways.

The role of Atonal transcription factors in the development of mechanosensitive cells

Mechanosensation is an evolutionarily ancient sensory modality seen in all main animal groups. Mechanosensation can be mediated by sensory neurons or by dedicated receptor cells that form synapses with sensory neurons. Evidence over the last 15-20 years suggests that both classes of mechanosensory cells can be specified by the atonal class of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors. In this review we discuss recent work addressing how atonal factors specify mechanosensitive cells in vertebrates and invertebrates, and how the redeployment of these factors underlies the regeneration of mechanosensitive cells in some vertebrate groups.

Wnt signaling during cochlear development

Wnt signaling is a hallmark of all embryonic development with multiple roles at multiple developmental time points. Wnt signaling is also important in the development of several organs, one of which is the inner ear, where it participates in otic specification, the formation of vestibular structures, and the development of the cochlea. In particular, we focus on Wnt signaling in the auditory organ, the cochlea. Attempting to dissect the multiple Wnt signaling pathways in the mammalian cochlea is a challenging task due to limited expression data, particularly at proliferating stages. To offer predictions about Wnt activity, we compare cochlear development with that of other biological systems such as Xenopus retina, brain, cancer cells and osteoblasts. Wnts are likely to regulate development through crosstalk with other signaling pathways, particularly Notch and FGF, leading to changes in the expression of Sox2 and proneural (pro-hair cell) genes. In this review we have consolidated the known signaling pathways in the cochlea with known developmental roles of Wnts from other systems to generate a potential timeline of cochlear development.

Divergent roles for Wnt/β-catenin signaling in epithelial maintenance and breakdown during semicircular canal formation

The morphogenetic program that shapes the three semicircular canals (SSCs) must be executed with extreme precision to satisfy their complex vestibular function. The SSCs emerge from epithelial outgrowths of the dorsal otocyst, the central regions of which fuse and resorb to leave three fluid-filled canals. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is active at multiple stages of otic development, including during vestibular morphogenesis. How Wnt/β-catenin functionally integrates with other signaling pathways to sculpt the SSCs and their sensory patches is unknown. We used a genetic strategy to spatiotemporally modulate canonical Wnt signaling activity during SSC development in mice. Our findings demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling functions in a multifaceted manner during SSC formation. In the early phase, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required to preserve the epithelial integrity of the vertical canal pouch perimeter (presumptive anterior and posterior SSCs) by establishing a sensory-dependent signaling relay that maintains expression of Dlx5 and opposes expression of the fusion plate marker netrin 1. Without this Wnt signaling activity the sensory to non-sensory signaling cascade fails to be activated, resulting in loss of vestibular hair and support cells and the anterior and posterior SSCs. In the later phase, Wnt/β-catenin signaling becomes restricted to the fusion plate where it facilitates the timely resorption of this tissue. Mosaic recombination of β-catenin in small clusters of canal pouch cells prevents their resorption, causing instead the formation of ectopic SSCs. Together, these disparate functions of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in epithelial maintenance and resorption help regulate the size, shape and number of SSCs.

A historical to present-day account of efforts to answer the question: "what puts the brakes on mammalian hair cell regeneration?"

Hearing and balance deficits often affect humans and other mammals permanently, because their ears stop producing hair cells within a few days after birth. But production occurs throughout life in the ears of sharks, bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds allowing them to replace lost hair cells and quickly recover after temporarily experiencing the kinds of sensory deficits that are irreversible for mammals. Since the mid 1970s, researchers have been asking what puts the brakes on hair cell regeneration in mammals. Here we evaluate the headway that has been made and assess current evidence for alternative mechanistic hypotheses that have been proposed to account for the limits to hair cell regeneration in mammals.

A dual function for canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the developing mammalian cochlea

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is known to play crucial roles in organogenesis by regulating both proliferation and differentiation. In the inner ear, this pathway has been shown to regulate the size of the otic placode from which the cochlea will arise; however, direct activity of canonical Wnt signaling as well as its function during cochlear mechanosensory hair cell development had yet to be identified. Using TCF/Lef:H2B-GFP reporter mice and transfection of an independent TCF/Lef reporter construct, we describe the pattern of canonical Wnt activity in the developing mouse cochlea. We show that prior to terminal mitosis, canonical Wnt activity is high in early prosensory cells from which hair cells and support cells will differentiate, and activity becomes reduced as development progresses. Using an in vitro model we demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates both proliferation and hair cell differentiation within the developing cochlear duct. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling blocks proliferation during early mitotic phases of development and inhibits hair cell formation in the differentiating organ of Corti. Conversely, activation increases the number of hair cells that differentiate and induces proliferation in prosensory cells, causing an expansion of the Sox2-positive prosensory domain. We further demonstrate that the induced proliferation of Sox2-positive cells may be mediated by the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1. Lastly, we provide evidence that the mitotic Sox2-positive cells are competent to differentiate into hair cells. Combined, our data suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling has a dual function in cochlear development, regulating both proliferation and hair cell differentiation.

Aberrant expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin proteins in placenta of bovine embryos derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer

Abnormal placental development is common in the bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived fetus. In the present study, we characterised the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, structural proteins of adherens junctions, in SCNT gestations as a model for impaired placentation. Cotyledonary tissues were separated from pregnant uteri of SCNT (n = 6) and control pregnancies (n = 8) obtained by artificial insemination. Samples were analysed by western blot, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Bovine trophectoderm cell lines derived from SCNT and control embryos were analysed to compare with the in utero condition. Although no differences in E-cadherin or β-catenin mRNA abundance were observed in fetal tissues between the two groups, proteins encoded by these genes were markedly under-expressed in SCNT trophoblast cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed a different pattern of E-cadherin and total β-catenin localisation in SCNT placentas compared with controls. No difference was observed in subcellular localisation of dephosphorylated active-β-catenin protein in SCNT tissues compared with controls. However, qRT-PCR confirmed that the wingless (WNT)/β-catenin signalling pathway target genes CCND1, CLDN1 and MSX1 were downregulated in SCNT placentas. No differences were detected between two groups of bovine trophectoderm cell lines. Our results suggest that impaired expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin proteins, along with defective β-catenin signalling during embryo attachment, specifically during placentation, is a molecular mechanism explaining insufficient placentation in the bovine SCNT-derived fetus.

Functional features of trans-differentiated hair cells mediated by Atoh1 reveals a primordial mechanism

Evolution has transformed a simple ear with few vestibular maculae into a complex three-dimensional structure consisting of nine distinct endorgans. It is debatable whether the sensory epithelia underwent progressive segregation or emerged from distinct sensory patches. To address these uncertainties we examined the morphological and functional phenotype of trans-differentiated rat hair cells to reveal their primitive or endorgan-specific origins. Additionally, it is uncertain how Atoh1-mediated trans-differentiated hair cells trigger the processes that establish their neural ranking from the vestibulocochlear ganglia. We have demonstrated that the morphology and functional expression of ionic currents in trans-differentiated hair cells resemble those of "ancestral" hair cells, even at the lesser epithelia ridge aspects of the cochlea. The structures of stereociliary bundles of trans-differentiated hair cells were in keeping with cells in the vestibule. Functionally, the transient expression of Na⁺ and I(h) currents initiates and promotes evoked spikes. Additionally, Ca²⁺ current was expressed and underwent developmental changes. These events correlate well with the innervation of ectopic hair cells. New "born" hair cells at the abneural aspects of the cochlea are innervated by spiral ganglion neurons, presumably under the tropic influence of chemoattractants. The disappearance of inward currents coincides well with the attenuation of evoked electrical activity, remarkably recapitulating the development of hair cells. Ectopic hair cells underwent stepwise changes in the magnitude and kinetics of transducer currents. We propose that Atoh1 mediates trans-differentiation of morphological and functional "ancestral" hair cells that are likely to undergo diversification in an endorgan-specific manner.

Atoh1, an essential transcription factor in neurogenesis and intestinal and inner ear development: function, regulation, and context dependency

Atoh1 (also known as Math1, Hath1, and Cath1 in mouse, human, and chicken, respectively) is a proneural basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that is required in a variety of developmental contexts. Atoh1 is involved in differentiation of neurons, secretory cells in the gut, and mechanoreceptors including auditory hair cells. Together with the two closely related bHLH genes, Neurog1 and NeuroD1, Atoh1 regulates neurosensory development in the ear as well as neurogenesis in the cerebellum. Atoh1 activity in the cochlea is both necessary and sufficient to drive auditory hair cell differentiation, in keeping with its known role as a regulator of various genes that are markers of terminal differentiation. Atoh1 is known in other fields as an oncogene and a tumor suppressor involved in regulation of cell cycle control and apoptosis. Aberrant Atoh1 activity in adult tissue is implicated in cancer progression, specifically in medullablastoma and adenomatous polyposis carcinoma. We demonstrate through protein sequence comparison that Atoh1 contains conserved phosphorylation sites outside the bHLH domain, which may allow regulation through post-translational modification. With such diverse roles, tight regulation of Atoh1 at both the transcriptional and protein level is essential.

In vivo Notch reactivation in differentiating cochlear hair cells induces Sox2 and Prox1 expression but does not disrupt hair cell maturation

BACKGROUND

Notch signaling is active in mouse cochlear prosensory progenitors but declines in differentiating sensory hair cells (HCs). Overactivation of the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) in progenitors blocks HC fate commitment and/or differentiation. However, it is not known whether reactivation of NICD in differentiating HCs also interrupts their developmental program and reactivates its downstream targets.

RESULTS

By analyzing Atoh1(CreER+) ; Rosa26-NICD(loxp/+) or Atoh1(CreER+) ; Rosa26-NICD(loxp/+) ; RBP-J(loxp/loxp) mice, we demonstrated that ectopic NICD in differentiating HCs caused reactivation of Sox2 and Prox1 in an RBP-J-dependent manner. Interestingly, Prox1 reactivation was exclusive to outer HCs (OHCs). In addition, lineage tracing analysis of Prox1(CreER/+) ; Rosa26-EYFP(loxp/+) and Prox1(CreEGFP/+) ; Rosa26-EYFP(loxp/+) mice showed that nearly all HCs experiencing Prox1 expression were OHCs. Surprisingly, these HCs still matured normally with expression of prestin, wild-type-like morphology, and uptake of FM4-64FX dye at adult ages.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the developmental program of cochlear differentiating HCs is refractory to Notch reactivation and that Notch is an upstream regulator of Sox2 and Prox1 in cochlear development. In addition, our results support that Sox2 and Prox1 should not be the main blockers for terminal differentiation of HCs newly regenerated from postnatal cochlear SCs that still maintain Sox2 and Prox1 expression.

Shaping sound in space: the regulation of inner ear patterning

The inner ear is one of the most morphologically elaborate tissues in vertebrates, containing a group of mechanosensitive sensory organs that mediate hearing and balance. These organs are arranged precisely in space and contain intricately patterned sensory epithelia. Here, we review recent studies of inner ear development and patterning which reveal that multiple stages of ear development - ranging from its early induction from the embryonic ectoderm to the establishment of the three cardinal axes and the fine-grained arrangement of sensory cells - are orchestrated by gradients of signaling molecules.

Restriction of Wnt signaling in the dorsal otocyst determines semicircular canal formation in the mouse embryo

The mouse inner ear develops from a simple epithelial pouch, the otocyst, with the dorsal and ventral portions giving rise to the vestibule and cochlea, respectively. The otocyst undergoes a morphological change to generate flattened saclike structures, known as outpocketings, in the dorsal and lateral regions. The semicircular canals of the vestibule form from the periphery of the outpocketings, with the central region (the fusion plate) undergoing de-epithelialization and disappearing. However, little is known of the mechanism that orchestrates formation of the semicircular canals. We now show that the area of canonical Wnt signaling changes dynamically in the dorsal otocyst during its morphogenesis. The genes for several Wnt ligands were found to be expressed in the dorsal otocyst according to specific patterns, whereas those for secreted inhibitors of Wnt ligands were expressed exclusively in the ventral otocyst. With the use of whole-embryo culture in combination with potent modulators of canonical Wnt signaling, we found that forced persistence of such signaling resulted in impaired formation both of the lateral outpocketing and of the fusion plates of the dorsal outpocketing. Canonical Wnt signaling was found to suppress Netrin1 expression and to preserve the integrity of the outpocketing epithelium. In addition, inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling reduced the size of the otocyst, likely through suppression of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis. Our stage-specific functional analysis suggests that strict regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in the dorsal otocyst orchestrates the process of semicircular canal formation.

Serial analysis of gene expression in the chicken otocyst

The inner ear arises from multipotent placodal precursors that are gradually committed to the otic fate and further differentiate into all inner ear cell types, with the exception of a few immigrating neural crest-derived cells. The otocyst plays a pivotal role during inner ear development: otic progenitor cells sub-compartmentalize into non-sensory and prosensory domains, giving rise to individual vestibular and auditory organs and their associated ganglia. The genes and pathways underlying this progressive subdivision and differentiation process are not entirely known. The goal of this study was to identify a comprehensive set of genes expressed in the chicken otocyst using the serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) method. Our analysis revealed several hundred transcriptional regulators, potential signaling proteins, and receptors. We identified a substantial collection of genes that were previously known in the context of inner ear development, but we also found many new candidate genes, such as SOX4, SOX5, SOX7, SOX8, SOX11, and SOX18, which previously were not known to be expressed in the developing inner ear. Despite its limitation of not being all-inclusive, the generated otocyst SAGE library is a practical bioinformatics tool to study otocyst gene expression and to identify candidate genes for developmental studies.

An RNA interference-based screen of transcription factor genes identifies pathways necessary for sensory regeneration in the avian inner ear

Sensory hair cells of the inner ear are the mechanoelectric transducers of sound and head motion. In mammals, damage to sensory hair cells leads to hearing or balance deficits. Nonmammalian vertebrates such as birds can regenerate hair cells after injury. In a previous study, we characterized transcription factor gene expression during chicken hair cell regeneration. In those studies, a laser microbeam or ototoxic antibiotics were used to damage the sensory epithelia (SE). The current study focused on 27 genes that were upregulated in regenerating SEs compared to untreated SEs in the previous study. Those genes were knocked down by siRNA to determine their requirement for supporting cell proliferation and to measure resulting changes in the larger network of gene expression. We identified 11 genes necessary for proliferation and also identified novel interactive relationships between many of them. Defined components of the WNT, PAX, and AP1 pathways were shown to be required for supporting cell proliferation. These pathways intersect on WNT4, which is also necessary for proliferation. Among the required genes, the CCAAT enhancer binding protein, CEBPG, acts downstream of Jun Kinase and JUND in the AP1 pathway. The WNT coreceptor LRP5 acts downstream of CEBPG, as does the transcription factor BTAF1. Both of these genes are also necessary for supporting cell proliferation. This is the first large-scale screen of its type and suggests an important intersection between the AP1 pathway, the PAX pathway, and WNT signaling in the regulation of supporting cell proliferation during inner ear hair cell regeneration.

Dynamic expression of Lgr5, a Wnt target gene, in the developing and mature mouse cochlea

The Wnt signaling pathway is a recurring theme in tissue development and homeostasis. Its specific roles during inner ear development are just emerging, but few studies have characterized Wnt target genes. Lgr5, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, is a Wnt target in the gastrointestinal and integumentary systems. Although its function is unknown, its deficiency leads to perinatal lethality due to gastrointestinal distension. In this study, we used a knock-in reporter mouse to examine the spatiotemporal expression of Lgr5 in the cochlear duct during embryonic and postnatal periods. In the embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) cochlear duct, Lgr5-EGFP is expressed in the floor epithelium and overlapped with the prosensory markers Sox2, Jagged1, and p27(Kip1). Nascent hair cells and supporting cells in the apical turn of the E18.5 cochlear duct express Lgr5-EGFP, which becomes downregulated in hair cells and subsets of supporting cells in more mature stages. In situ hybridization experiments validated the reporter expression, which gradually decreases until the second postnatal week. Only the third row of Deiters' cells expresses Lgr5-EGFP in the mature organ of Corti. Normal cochlear development was observed in Lgr5(EGFP/EGFP) and Lgr5(EGFP/+) mice, which exhibited normal auditory thresholds. The expression pattern of Lgr5 contrasts with another Wnt target gene, Axin2, a feedback inhibitor of the Wnt pathway. Robust Axin2 expression was found in cells surrounding the embryonic cochlear duct and becomes restricted to tympanic border cells below the basilar membrane in the postnatal cochlea. Both Lgr5 and Axin2 act as Wnt targets in the cochlea because purified Wnt3a promoted and Wnt antagonist suppressed their expression. Their differential expression among cell populations highlights the dynamic but complex distribution of Wnt-activated cells in and around the embryonic and postnatal cochlea.

Jagged 1 regulates the restriction of Sox2 expression in the developing chicken inner ear: a mechanism for sensory organ specification

Hair cells of the inner ear sensory organs originate from progenitor cells located at specific domains of the otic vesicle: the prosensory patches. Notch signalling is necessary for sensory development and loss of function of the Notch ligand jagged 1 (Jag1, also known as serrate 1) results in impaired sensory organs. However, the underlying mechanism of Notch function is unknown. Our results show that in the chicken otic vesicle, the Sox2 expression domain initially contains the nascent patches of Jag1 expression but, later on, Sox2 is only maintained in the Jag1-positive domains. Ectopic human JAG1 (hJag1) is able to induce Sox2 expression and enlarged sensory organs. The competence to respond to hJag1, however, is confined to the regions that expressed Sox2 early in development, suggesting that hJag1 maintains Sox2 expression rather than inducing it de novo. The effect is non-cell-autonomous and requires Notch signalling. hJag1 activates Notch, induces Hes/Hey genes and endogenous Jag1 in a non-cell-autonomous manner, which is consistent with lateral induction. The effects of hJag1 are mimicked by Jag2 but not by Dl1. Sox2 is sufficient to activate the Atoh1 enhancer and to ectopically induce sensory cell fate outside neurosensory-competent domains. We suggest that the prosensory function of Jag1 resides in its ability to generate discrete domains of Notch activity that maintain Sox2 expression within restricted areas of an extended neurosensory-competent domain. This provides a mechanism to couple patterning and cell fate specification during the development of sensory organs.

Overlapping and distinct pRb pathways in the mammalian auditory and vestibular organs

Retinoblastoma gene (Rb1) is required for proper cell cycle exit in the developing mouse inner ear and its deletion in the embryo leads to proliferation of sensory progenitor cells that differentiate into hair cells and supporting cells. In a conditional hair cell Rb1 knockout mouse, Pou4f3-Cre-pRb(-/-), pRb(-/-) utricular hair cells differentiate and survive into adulthood whereas differentiation and survival of pRb(-/-) cochlear hair cells are impaired. To comprehensively survey the pRb pathway in the mammalian inner ear, we performed microarray analysis of (pRb(-/-) cochlea and utricle. The comparative analysis shows that the core pathway shared between pRb(-/-) cochlea and utricle is centered on E2F, the key pathway that mediates pRb function. A majority of differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways are not shared but uniquely associated with pRb(-/-) cochlea or utricle. In pRb(-/-) cochlea, pathways involved in early inner ear development such as Wnt/β-catenin and Notch were enriched, whereas pathways involving in proliferation and survival are enriched in pRb(-/-) utricle. Clustering analysis showed that the pRb(-/-) inner ear has characteristics of a younger control inner ear, an indication of delayed differentiation. We created a transgenic mouse model (ER-Cre-pRb(flox/flox)) in which Rb1 can be acutely deleted postnatally. Acute Rb1 deletion in the adult mouse fails to induce proliferation or cell death in inner ear, strongly indicating that Rb1 loss in these postmitotic tissues can be effectively compensated for, or that pRb-mediated changes in the postmitotic compartment result in events that are functionally irreversible once enacted. This study thus supports the concept that pRb-regulated pathways relevant to hair cell development, encompassing proliferation, differentiation and survival, act predominantly during early development.

Connecting the ear to the brain: Molecular mechanisms of auditory circuit assembly

Our sense of hearing depends on precisely organized circuits that allow us to sense, perceive, and respond to complex sounds in our environment, from music and language to simple warning signals. Auditory processing begins in the cochlea of the inner ear, where sounds are detected by sensory hair cells and then transmitted to the central nervous system by spiral ganglion neurons, which faithfully preserve the frequency, intensity, and timing of each stimulus. During the assembly of auditory circuits, spiral ganglion neurons establish precise connections that link hair cells in the cochlea to target neurons in the auditory brainstem, develop specific firing properties, and elaborate unusual synapses both in the periphery and in the CNS. Understanding how spiral ganglion neurons acquire these unique properties is a key goal in auditory neuroscience, as these neurons represent the sole input of auditory information to the brain. In addition, the best currently available treatment for many forms of deafness is the cochlear implant, which compensates for lost hair cell function by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Historically, studies of the auditory system have lagged behind other sensory systems due to the small size and inaccessibility of the inner ear. With the advent of new molecular genetic tools, this gap is narrowing. Here, we summarize recent insights into the cellular and molecular cues that guide the development of spiral ganglion neurons, from their origin in the proneurosensory domain of the otic vesicle to the formation of specialized synapses that ensure rapid and reliable transmission of sound information from the ear to the brain.